THE CULTURAL SISTERS
Print Works in Stoke was The Cultural Sisters’ print festival for 2016/17 (supported by Art City and Arts Council England) that included a Smallprint exhibition at Art Stop Stoke and a series of artist led printmaking workshops in late 2016 and an interactive art trail around the town of Stoke in May-June 2017.
Developed through workshops and the personal responses of Stoke residents, the trail used printing techniques to explore the spaces, memories, heritage and people of the town and includes interactive elements and creative interventions at specific places around the town.
The Cultural Sisters collaborated with seven local artists to develop the art trail showing the unnoticed, unusual and hidden aspects of the town allowing participants and passers-by to reflect on the beauty and gems of Stoke and encourage new perceptions of place.
Participating artists developed new work based on the anecdotes, memories and stories of Stoke residents in response to sites in the town.
Artists and works include:
Sam Mace’s porcelain and paper print installation around Josiah Wedgwood’s grave inviting reflection on his contribution to the abolition of slavery.
Jessie Byron’s series of mixed media print collages intended as an honest love letter to the town to be installed around Stoke.
MsDMeanor’s The Nun of Love project invited people to share their stories about Stoke and hear or read the stories of others in an interactive exchange.
There was also an exhibition of work created in the printmaking workshops by the Wonder Women group at Art Stop Stoke.
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Digital artists Ryan Ball and Siobhan McAleer created a Print Works in Stoke soundscape to accompany the trail. Listen along for the full immersive audio experience of the town: