HUNDREDS of pounds' worth of affordable art was purchased during a festival in Ulverston, which attracted local, national and international artists.

This year's Printfest, in the Coronation Hall, saw work by 35 artists, some from as far away as Argentina and Holland, on display. It included monoprints, etchings of sweeping landscapes and tiny charming woodcuts.

There was also an increase in the selection of prints available to buy, including lino, collographs, lithographs and screen prints, which the many visitors to the festival on Saturday and Sunday could not resist buying.

The highlight of the event, which was launched in 2000, was a project set up by Ulverston printmaker and art therapist Fran Riley. She teamed up 20 artists and poets in the Ulverston area to produce work for the festival.

She said: "It was absolutely wonderful. The whole festival went really, really well and on both days it was very busy. The artists were really pleased with the amount of work they sold as well."

As part of the festival, workshops were also held in Croftlands Infant School and St Mary's in Ulverston last Thursday and Friday. Pupils had to take in their favourite poem, either one that had been published or one that they had written themselves, and produce a print containing things from it.

"We are hoping to extend the part of the festival that teamed up poets and artists next year. The educational side of it also went very well," said Mrs Riley.

May 15, 2003 15:00