We believe in sharing information!
This page contains a lot of information about the various aspects of our Proof the Roof project: our grants and grant funders; our fundraising campaign, targets and updates; what actual plans we have for the roof renovation; project timeline; activities and events during the period of Studio closure, and more.
We will be sending out regular updates by Newsletter. If you haven’t been receiving our newsletters, you can check whether they are going into your Junk folder or depending on your email inbox settings, whether they are landing in a “promotions” or “other” inbox instead of your “priority/focused” one. You can adjust your settings so that mailings from SPW always appear in your main inbox and you don’t miss out on any news! If you have opted out of receiving mailings from us, you can opt in again from this website or alternatively get in touch with us by email.
You can jump to full details on the page by clicking on the headings below:
Arts Council of Wales Capital Investment Fund | We are delighted that our bid to the 2026-27 Capital Investment Fund has been 100% successful!
Fundraising | How much we have raised and how you can help us raise the rest of the funds we need.
The Renovation Plans | Details of our plans to improve the studio environment and future proof the Workshop.
The Team | Who will be working on the Proof the Roof project and what they will do.
Project Timeline | Dates and proposed schedule of works.
Activities and Events | Activities we are running during the period when the studio cannot be used.
Who we are, what we do and why | A summary of the range of services and opportunities we offer, and why we do what we do!
ACW Capital Investment Grant
We are delighted to announce that our bid to the 2026-27 Capital Investment Fund has been 100% successful!
On June 4 an email from the Arts Council of Wales dropped into our in box announcing !!£8m Arts Capital Investment Fund is now open!!. The guidelines indicated that we had exactly the profile to consider applying for the grant BUT the deadline of 6 July was extremely challenging.
Fortunately we had been working with Avalon Architecture for the previous six months on a feasibility study and they continued to support us in putting together and submitting a complex and comprehensive bid. This was an amazing achievement and we are really grateful to Directors Sarah Hopkins, Ceri Roberts, Sian Barlow and David La Grange for never giving up on what seemed an impossible task.
The total project cost applied for is £249,651. £224,681 has been awarded by ACW (90%) and SPW are responsible for the funding the remaining 10% (£25,240).
This investment is designed to upgrade and future-proof our business premises, enhancing accessibility and long-term environmental sustainability for future generations. We aim to create a secure, dry, and energy-efficient space for our members, visitors, and specialist equipment; to enhance the experience of working in and using the building while lowering our carbon footprint and operating costs. See The Renovation Plans for more information.
Fundraising
We have had a fantastic response to our Proof the Roof fundraising campaign – from our volunteers, our users and supporters…and their families … and friends of their families. People have been amazingly generous and supportive. Thank you everyone!
At the time of our successful ACW bid, we had raised £15,000 which together with £10,000 of our own funds set aside for the Proof the Roof project, gave us the £25,000 required for match funding the Arts Council Grant.
TOTAL FUNDS RAISED | £15,000
Proof the Roof | Go Fund Me £6,300 | Private donations | £1,300 | Donated prints | £3,400
Volunteer group – fundraising events | £2,500 | Brecknock Trust | £2000
But we still have some way to go!
We invested in a feasibility study which provided vital information for the successful ACW Capital Investment Fund including: digital scan of building (see below), production of drawings for contractors, asbestos survey, Fire Policy survey and recommendations, and drains survey.
We need to recoup the substantial costs of £9000 that we incurred in preparing for ACW’s funding bid.
We are also raising funds for the cost of a new Fire Exit door.
Swansea Council has given us permission to use some of their land at the back of the studio to install a new Fire Exit door (See below). This will dramatically increase our access for wheelchairs entering and exiting the premises instead of having to negotiate our long corridor. The costs are additional to the ACW bid.
Support our Fundraising Events organised by our wonderful volunteers
Our Volunteer Fundraising Group have been working hard to organise fundraising events well as making lots of fantastic items to sell alongside donated prints. Support us by supporting Open Days at the Studio and our stall at the Waterfront Vintage and Makers Market.
See us at the next event: Vintage Craft Market | Waterfront Museum | Swansea | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026 | 10.00 – 4.00
Buy a donated print in our Online Shop
Donated by our artist-supporters we are able to sell them without taking commission and at very affordable prices. Click on the Donated Prints image below or visit the Online Gallery here.
Linocut & acrylic 42 x 29.7cm | £45
Click on the Go Fund Me image below or visit our Proof the Roof Campaign here.
The Renovation Plans
Our city-centre building and our printmaking facilities are fantastic – but unfortunately our roof has deteriorated over the years. We’ve been patching it up for some time but heavy rain over winter in 2025-26 exposed many more weak spots. With the changing climate, more frequent heavy downpours meant that we had to find a more sustainable solution.
With funding grants, fundraising and our own investment, the Renovation Plans are more extensive than replacing the failing roof. The whole Proof the Roof project is designed to upgrade and future-proof our business premises, enhancing accessibility and long-term environmental sustainability for future generations.
In summary, the Proof the Roof project plans are to:
- Replace the existing sheet roof with an insulated warm roof system
- Replace 9 rooflights with Velux opening windows
- Install a 10.920 kWp solar PV system on the roof
- Upgrade and replace all our lighting and electrics
- Install new fire alarm system, enhanced Fire retardant materials in corridor and metal Fire Exit door at rear of building
- Drylining of all damp walls and replacement of all plasterboard ceilings throughout the building
The Roof
The roof covering to be completely stripped out and replaced with additional insulation and covered with a welded rubber compound which will cover and replace the problematic leaking gutter area. Water runoff to be directed to new external gutters and downpipe. The scaffolding to carry out this work will require co-operation from four neighbours with adjoining land. Swansea Council has allowed us to plan to make use of their land at the back of the studio to house the support services for workmen on the site. All the building debris will be extracted from the site through this land rather than .our narrow corridor. We are hoping that the roofers will be able to tackle a section at a time which will allow us to clear that space and move everything into adjacent room.
Access to daylight and ventilation
All the roof lights to be replaced with some opening velux windows to allow for maximum daylight and increased ventilation. At the moment we have to have artificial lights on in the press room all day despite the large window panels in the roof. The opening roof lights will act as a natural, zero-energy ventilation system which will allow us to regulate the temperature without deploying high-draw mechanical fans. All plasterboard ceilings to be replaced and fitted round the new velux windows.
Solar Panels on the Roof
Installation of a 10.920 kWp solar PV system on the roof to establish on-site renewable energy generation, substantially lowering Swansea Print Workshop’s reliance on grid electricity and reducing our business carbon footprint. Initially, the system would generate 7,401 kWh and reduce our carbon emissions by 1,532 kg CO2 per year.
As well as carbon-reduction, we are mindful that savings harvested from lower running costs will be available for reinvestment into our facility and arts programming. In the first year of operation professional financial modelling predicts savings of £907 in electricity bills (£1817 to £911). We anticipate exporting electricity to the grid, earning £544 in the first year, effectively reducing our bill for the property to £357.
Electrical Systems
All electrics to be completely renewed. A temporary system for the builders has to be provided and a connection for the solar panels. All lights to be replaced with LED fittings with particular attention to good lighting for the main work places, additional spotlights for life drawing as well as overhead heating for the model. We will also be able to re-assess where we need mains sockets.
Upgrading of fire prevention and fire alarm systems
Fire alarm system and sensors to be completely replaced. In addition the corridor ceiling to be covered with 60-minute fire-rated plasterboard.
Swansea Council has given us permission to use some of their land at the back of the studio to install a new Fire Exit door. We are really grateful for this initiative instigated by Avalon Architects to secure this arrangement with the council. They will build an access ramp to the door which will be in the back wall of the kitchen area. This will dramatically increase our access for wheelchairs entering and exiting the premises, instead of having to negotiate our long corridor.
We are raising funds for installation of the new Fire Door. See Fundraising above.
Refurbishment and renewal
- All interior ceilings to be renewed
- Dryline all perimeter walls with plasterboard, complete with jointing and taping
- Modify and pack out the door frames leading to both the Press Room and Drawing Room to align with new wall depths
- Supply and fit softwood architraves to the newly extended door linings
- Install 4” pencil round skirtings throughout the area
- Apply white emulsion to walls and white satin to timber surfaces
- Provide full site clearance of all generated construction debris
For our Users, PROOF THE ROOF will: Keep the studio dry, safe and warm | Keep all areas of the premises available | Improve their experience with improved access to natural light and ventilation | Provide a damp-free space for activities and events | Keep our expensive presses and equipment safe and functioning | Maintain a well-equipped local arts facility I Increase opportunities, activities and community involvement
For the Environment, PROOF THE ROOF will: Reduce our reliance on de-humidifiers | Reduce our use of heating | Reduce our reliance on artificial lighting | Reduce wastage of spoilt materials and equipment | Maintain a facility accessible to users within travelling distance to the Swansea area
For the Organisation, PROOF THE ROOF will: Keep our archival artwork and publications safe and dry | Keep our products for exhibition and sale safe and dry | Reduce our utility costs | Reduce our insurance premiums | Reduce our expensive roof repair costs | Enable us to direct more funds to services for users | Enable us to increase volunteer time and support to services for users
The Team
Project Manager | We have appointed Helen Flynn of Avalon Architecture as our Project Manager. She played a vital role in supplying all the key information and drawings for the grant application. The grant is to be paid in successive stages directly for finished elements of the work and has to be achieved within a strict time frame.
Project Lead SPW | Ceri Roberts, Director will be in charge of the studio’s side of the project.
Contractors | In line with the requirements of the ACW Grant, the following contractors have been selected through Sell2Wales, an open tender process:
TBC | Our Contractors
Project Timeline
Please NOTE that as with all complex building projects, dates are subject to change.
We will continue to update the Timeline as the building works progress. Our aim is to be in a position to prepare the studio for reopening in December, with our Workshop Programme and other activities starting in January 2027.
WEEK COMMENCING:
- 31 August – Packing and preparation of the Studio starts
- 11 September 2026 – Closure of the Studio for all activities
- 28 September – Packing and preparation of the Studio ends
- 5 October – Erection of Scaffold and Tree Surgeon works start and end
- 12 October – Roof works start
- TBC – Solar PV works start
- 2 November – Roof works end
- 2 November – Fire Door installation starts
- 2 November – Solar PV works end
- 9 November – Fire Door installation ends
- 9 November – Internal works start
- 16 November – Scaffold removed
- 30 November – Internal works end
- TBC December – Studio preparations start
- TBC December – Studio reopens
- January 2027 – Workshop programme and activities resume
- March 2027 – ACW regulation – project must be completed by end of March
Activities and Events
We are putting together a programme of activities during the period when the Studio is closed. Information on these and how to book will be available here.
Thursday Evening Life Drawing | Our regular sessions evenings at 6.30pm – 9.30pm | Start 24 September | Swansea Community Workshops, 208 High Street, SA1 1PE (a short walk from the train station)
Expanding The Possibilities of Gel Printing | Advanced 1 day workshop with Louise Hughes | Sunday 8 November 2026 | 10.30am – 4.30pm | Swansea Community Workshops, 208 High Street, SA1 1PE (a short walk from the train station) | BOOKING AVAILABLE ONLINE SOON
Who We Are, What We Do and Why
Since it was founded, SPW has gone from strength to strength and in 2025 we celebrated our 25th Anniversary. A huge achievement for a small organisation!
Our Users are: Professional artists | Emerging artists | Leisure artists | Artist-members | Swansea area community groups | Swansea school students | Further education students | School staff | Further education staff | Visiting artists | International artists and exhibitors
Through printmaking: We support creativity across all ages, cultures and backgrounds | We enable and develop artists to become active in their community | We support artists to earn income through their creative practice | We build self-confidence and support mental well-being in users and volunteers | We mentor and support young artists in printmaking, business skills and entrepreneurship | We mentor and train volunteers to gain confidence and transferable creative and business skills | We run activities and events to foster social interaction | We support new skills and enhance activities within education | We connect across cultures, backgrounds and countries | We create unique, collector’s artwork celebrating Welsh and Swansea’s cultural heritage which are held in national and international collections.
We maintain a high profile for printmaking and the creative arts in the City of Swansea and our creative connections extend further – across Wales, the wider UK and internationally through exhibitions, projects, artist exchanges and residencies.
We support our creative community to exhibit and sell work both online and in the studio, and provide opportunities for everyone to view and buy affordable original artwork.
We work with our wider community, providing services and partnerships with community groups across Swansea, young people at all levels of education through connections with the council, local schools, higher education and university establishments and more. We welcome the wider community into the Studio and we also have a great resource of equipment for Outreach work too.
We work in partnership with: Swansea area community groups | Swansea Council | Swansea Primary and Secondary Schools | Gower College Swansea | UTWTSD Swansea College of Art | Swansea University | Swansea and South Wales museums, art organisations and galleries | Coleg Sir Gâr | Wales-based printmaking and arts organisations | National and International art organisations and galleries
Working with schools | ipad drawings converted to screenprints
Over the last 25 years, we have had the pleasure of working within Communities and with Community Groups from all over Swansea and the wider Swansea area, through workshops and longer term projects: Adferiad | Adult Learners, Gower College | Asylum Seekers resident in Blaenymaes | Bonymaen Family Centre | Brondeg House | Castle Ward residents | Cefn Coed Hospital/staff development | Chinese in Wales Association | Coed Hirwaun | Coed Lleol | Crug Glas Special Needs School | Cwmbwrla Day Centre | DACE Muslim Women’s Group | Dragon Arts | Eureka Group | Goleudy | Glynneath Adult Training Centre | Gorseinon Longfields Day Centre | Home Education Group | Heol Goffa Social Activity Centre | Job Club, Communities First | Llanelli Involve | Interplay Independent Living | Lynx Llanelli | Lynx Ty Amman | Maes Glas Community Centre Neath | Mums and Toddlers Foundation, Swansea | Muslim Women resident in Swansea | ‘Over 50’s’ resident in Swansea | Port Talbot College Out of School Group | Palette Club | Playright | Quay House Bail Hostel | Red Café Connected | Rose Cross Day Centre | SNPT Crossroads Young Carers Project | Swansea Women’s Centre | Symud Ymlaen Regeneration Trust | The Shaw Trust | Disability Action Centre | Three Crosses Art Club | Vetch Community Gardens, Swansea | Wetlands Wildlife Trust
Volunteers are the backbone of SPW. They support us in all areas of the organisation as a business and in the services we offer: running workshops, exhibitions and much more, including helping us with our PROOF THE ROOF campaign! Our volunteer support comes from people of all ages. We value the contributions each of our volunteers make. In return, as well as providing a place to meet others and be part of a supportive, friendly team and community, we offer training and mentoring for them to learn new life skills, gain work experience, develop their artistic practice, and to earn income within the arts sector. We are proud to be play our part in contributing to the local economy.
Why we do it
We are passionate about printmaking. We treasure the heritage of printmaking – one of our presses is over 150 years old! – but we also embrace new technologies and approaches. This means we can support people at all levels of ability, across all ages and cultures to be creative and make prints. Through printmaking, we support learning, communication, wellbeing and personal development.
Our Funders: SPW was founded with private money in 1998, and we do not receive any core funding. As a not-for-profit company all profits are re-invested in the studio and its activities. Grant-making bodies have believed in us and supported us through funding grants to deliver projects, develop as an arts facility, as a business and to extend the services we offer to artists and the wider community: Artes Mundi | Arts Council of Wales | Brecknock Arts Trust | Common Investment Fund | Communities First Trust Fund | Coastal Housing Group | Swansea Council | Communities First Trust Fund | DACE (Department of Adult Continuing Education) | Swansea University | Esmée Fairbairn Foundation | GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grant | Local Investment Fund | Russell Commission Youth Volunteering Grant | Swansea Arts Forum Trust | Swansea Council for Voluntary Services (SCVS) | Better Swansea Compact Fund | Swansea Development Fund | Swansea University | Wales Arts International | Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) | Welsh Government NDA Business support grants.
Our Proof the Roof project has been made possible by the generosity of our members and supporters and by funding from:
The Arts Council of Wales Arts Capital Investment Fund
Brecknock Arts Trust
