Working with The National Trust: Women In Print Editions Collection ::::::

Women in Print: Collection is the second exhibition as part of the project partnership between Artlab Contemporary Print Studios and The National Trust Lake District, showcasing UCLan’s commitment to sharing heritage skills and creative practice led research.  

During 2025 and 2026 new exhibitions curated by Tracy Hill and Dr Heather Mullender-Ross re-tell the story of the late Gwyneth Alban Davis and her one woman printing business ‘The Caravan Press’ and the new generation of contemporary artists inspired by Gwyneth’s sense of community, creativity and hope.

During 2025 the inaugural exhibition featured photographs of Gwyneth’s life, printed materials from her archive and estate as well as Gwyneth’s original printing press, which since 2018 has been part of ACPS archive.  Ephemera previously unseen from the Davis family home and artefacts from other public collections are on show alongside reprints from Davis’s original printing blocks giving new insight and context to the creative community in The Langdale Valley and Lake District during the 1940’s.

The 2026 season begins with the presentation of The Women In Print Editions Collection. This unique collection of limited edition prints has been created through the Women In Print residency programme hosted at ACPS. The collection includes new paper, textile and sculptural works by leading female artists. Following the residency each artist is invited to produce a limited edition print, one print from each artist is donated to ACPS creating a new accessible archive of contemporary prints to inspire future generations of artists. The remaining prints from each edition are available to buy supporting the artists and helping to fund future residencies. This sense of community and creative collaboration was central to Gwyneth’s life and continues to inspire our Women In Print artists today.

In 2024, ACPS partnered with artist and researcher Angie Butler, The University of West of England, to help realise Allyship – Women Artist Printers Portfolio. Conceived to amplify the voices of women using letterpress, this portfolio strongly connects with Women In Print to celebrate a tradition of creative expertise and knowledge passed down through generations of artists. Together, these two collections provide a platform for collaboration and exchange, ensuring the preservation of traditional skills and knowledge for future generations.

View the collection here – https://artlabcontemporaryprint.org.uk/collections/. For enquires and sales please email THill@lancashire.ac.uk

The exhibition will run at Allan Bank, Grasmere from 9th March until 1st July 2026.

Please check National Trust website for opening times – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/allan-bank-and-grasmere

A series of public workshops and curatorial talks have been developed and delivered by curators Tracy Hill and Dr Heather Mullender-Ross, engaging audiences and visitors and sharing expertise and knowledge. 

Events and booking information here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/site-of-refuge-tickets-1984277082168.

A new video has been produced by The National Trust which accompanies the 2026 exhibitions providing valuable contextual understanding and the significance of the creative community within the lake district after WW2.  View the video here – https://vimeo.com/1171922971

Francesca Brooks essay: The Caravan Press and All the Better to Hear You With – https://corridor8.co.uk/article/the-caravan-press-and-all-the-better-to-hear-you-with/