I don’t know where the time goes but it’s been 12 months since Winterbourne hosted The Association of European Printing Museums Conference. It was a wonderful experience showing curators and practitioners from museums across the continent, there was even someone there from New Zealand! It was a great opportunity to showcase Winterbourne Press.

This year we have been working with The University of Bristol to support a Lego printing project. The Press volunteers have been having fun printing specially made letters and images from Lego. The type is easily changeable, anyone can do it and you don’t need potentially dangerous or expensive printing presses to get a pleasing result.

Our next step is to start running Lego-printing sessions at some of the Winterbourne events in 2027 and encourage children and families (we found adults enjoy this as much as our younger audiences!) to take part. Each participant will use a Lego base plate and be introduced to specially designed 3D-printed type, which includes both letters and image blocks. Using these playful yet precise tools, participants can create their own message or design before working with Press volunteers to print it on a portable press. 

These activities offer a unique way to experience the history and craft of printing through a modern, hands-on approach. Suitable for all ages, encouraging imagination, experimentation, and a chance to take home a print of your own creation.

Dates are not yet confirmed but so do keep an eye on the What’s On section of the website and of course in eNews next year for more details.

Lee Hale – Winterbourne Director