Wrexham’s multi award-winning culture hub Tŷ Pawb is linking up with Southern Graphics Council International – the largest organisation of printmakers in North America – to host two major new international art exhibitions.
The exhibitions will take place at the end of 2027 and will pair 40 Wales-based printmakers with 40 printmakers from Southern Graphics Council International, based in North America.
All selected printmakers will create 4 prints of each artwork – one to keep, one to potentially swap with another printmaker taking part in the project, and the remaining two prints will be exhibited in Wrexham and in Pittsburgh simultaneously, meaning the same artworks will be on show at the same time on both sides of the Atlantic.
Wrexham’s exhibition will be on show at Tŷ Pawb while the American edition will be on show at The Hillman Library at the prestigious University of Pittsburgh.
The Hillman Library sits underneath the University’s iconic Cathedral of Learning, a building which recently celebrated its 100th birthday. It’s 163 meters high, making it the second highest academic building in the world!
The Pittsburgh edition of the exhibition will be launched as part of Southern Graphics Council International’s Confluence conference, which will include print events, exhibitions and more happening all over the city.
The official title for the project is Confluence International Print Exhibition (SGCI X Wales). The collaboration is set to spark an international knowledge exchange with opportunities to share skills and build a global creative community.
The project is being organised by Hannah Fray, a Northwest England based printmaker whose projects often cross over into Wrexham and North Wales.
Two cities with a shared industrial past finding new prosperity through creativity
Hannah said: “I am delighted to serve as the UK liaison for SGCI and thrilled to be organising a project that fosters such meaningful international collaboration. Having coordinated Print International at Tŷ Pawb in 2021, stepping into this role felt like the perfect opportunity to unite SGCI members with Wales-based printmakers.
“To bring this together I reached out to academics and print studios across Wales, who nominated an incredible group of Wales based artists to participate. A key highlight of this project is its ‘print pal’ element, and I am genuinely looking forward to seeing how these new collaborations evolve. It is a wonderful chance to meet new printmakers, exchange technical processes, and learn more about the diverse studios involved.
“I cannot wait to see what all 80 participating artists create, and to view the prints which will be showcased at The Hillman Library for the Confluence conference in Pittsburgh and Print International at Tŷ Pawb in October 2027.”
Blake Sanders, Southern Graphics Council International Executive Director said “SGCI is proud to collaborate with Tŷ Pawb to exhibit this body of work. The prints will be shown first at the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh. The Hillman Library here has a great Welsh collection, so it was a natural fit for the exhibition. Pittsburgh and Wrexham share an industrial history, now both cities are finding new prosperity through creativity and resolve. The exhibitions provide an opportunity to highlight that kinship.”
Myles Calvert, Southern Graphics Council International President said “International is in our name! We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with international organizations and to have Hannah Fray on the Board as our UK Liaison. As we branch out to connect with our global print community there is no better place to start than the talented printmakers in Wales.”
Wrexham growing as ‘international cultural powerhouse’
Lead Member with responsibility for Tŷ Pawb Cllr Hugh Jones said: “This exciting collaboration is raising the bar once again for Tŷ Pawb and Wrexham as an international cultural powerhouse. This will be the 5th edition of Print International Tŷ Pawb has hosted since opening in 2018. The partnership with North America’s largest printmaking organisation will form part the most ambitious iteration of the exhibition to date. To have Welsh and American printmakers exhibiting simultaneously at Tŷ Pawb and on campus at the University of Pittsburgh is a huge achievement and a tremendous opportunity to celebrate our shared histories. Congratulations to all involved.”
The exhibitions will take place at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham and The Hillman Library and University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania between October 2027 and February 2028. Exact dates to be confirmed.
