We are delighted to be working with the South Wales Miners’ Library for this special member’s only project: Stories of Struggle & Solidarity
This is a structured project in which members will research, design and make plates while the workshop is closed for our Proof the Roof renovations and improvement works.
We will connect with one another at a number of outreach events, starting with a special Rummage Day at the South Wales Miners’ Library at Y Storfa, Swansea followed by a second Research Day, and then a session at the Glynn Vivian Gallery in early December which will be an opportunity to connect, feed back and share our progress.
We will organise a series of Group Print Days in the New Year when the workshop re-opens, and you will be able to work collaboratively to print your plates.
The prints will be exhibited from March 2027 at the South Wales Miners’ Library, at Swansea University’s new exhibition space at Singleton Park campus, and at our newly refurbished Drawing Room at Swansea Print Workshop. The exhibition will be timed to coincide with the fringe events of the British Art Show, which is being held in Swansea from February to May 2027. The themes of our project have been designed to link in with the “Ways of Living” theme of the British Art Show.
Complete our Expression of Interest form by 6 November to let us know you are interested in participating!
The Brief
We are lucky to be working with the South Wales Miners’ Library. The starting point for this project will be a Rummage Day at the library and a follow-up research day.
The archive has a wealth of materials, across many themes and areas of life – we are concentrating in this project on stories of struggle and solidarity that stand out for us.
THREE THEMES TO INSPIRE YOU
Working class Swansea | Struggles of working people: poverty, education, healthcare, miners strike, trade unions and working class heroes, ordinary people self-organising – welfare societies and community resources.
Personal memories and stories | Family histories, urban and industrial landscape, special places in Swansea: Swansea Market, Copperopolis, the docks, the Vetch fields, football, cockle pickers, Swansea choirs, community theatres and cinemas, marching bands.
Swansea connections to the Spanish Civil War (2027 is the 90th anniversary) | Basque children refugees finding sanctuary in Sketty Park House following the bombing of Guernica | Captain David “Potato” Jones | Memorial for the International Brigades who fought against General Franco’s forces.
The staff at the Miners’ Library will find resources linked to these three themes for our Rummage Day. We will have access to artifacts including: banners, posters, photographs, artists’ books and prints by Paul Peter Piech, videos, recordings and oral histories.
Timeline | Key Dates | Locations
Phase 1: Research, Design, Connect
October / November: Members research, sketch and gather references.
- Saturday 21 November 2026, 10:00 – 16:00: Rummage Day | South Wales Miners’ Library, Y Storfa, 277-278 Oxford Street, Swansea SA1 3EL.
- Saturday 28 November 2026, 10:00 – 16:00: Further research day | South Wales Miners’ Library.
December/January: Preparing plates.
- Early December TBC | Session to connect, feedback, check-in on designs and print methods | Glynn Vivian Art Gallery workshop space | Alexandra Rd, Swansea, SA1 5DZ
Phase 2: Proof & Print
January / February: Members access the refurbished studio to proof plates.
- Thursday 4 February 2027, 16:00: Submission deadline for plates & proofs
- February: Group Print Days. The following dates have been pencilled in for participants to edition their prints. These can be booked online at Current Workshops where you will find all the workshops available in our Workshop Programme or by clicking on each date below:
– Wednesday 10 February 2027 | 10:00-16:30
– Sunday 14 February 2027 | 10:00-16:30
– Thursday 18 February 2027 | 10:00-16:30
– Saturday 20 February 2027 | 10:00-16:30
Phase 3: Exhibition
March 2027: Dates to be confirmed
How to Participate
1. Sign Up | Complete our Expression of Interest form BY THE DEADLINE OF 6 NOVEMBER.
2. Attend one of the Rummage Day sessions at Y Storfa on 21 November | You will be offered a session time once we know how many people are participating.
3. Plate materials | Let us know on your expression of interest form whether you want to purchase vinyl plates from the workshop. We can bring them to the Rummage Day.
4. Keep a Sketchbook and Photographs | Document your research process for a potential display alongside the final prints.
5. Submit your proof and your plate | Deadline is Thursday 4 February 2027 before 4pm.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THIS PROJECT AND MAKE YOUR OWN EDITION OF PRINTS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN A GROUP PRINT DAY AND COME AWAY WITH ONE OF THE LARGE COLLABORATIVE PRINTS, YOU WILL NEED TO RESERVE A SPACE AND PAY VIA OUR WEBSITE IN THE USUAL WAY. ONLINE BOOKING WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
Technical information
Paper & Plate Size
Paper: Hahnemuhle | Paper Size: 1060mm x 390mm | Plate size: 200mm x 150mm
Plates will be printed below one another as a series of group prints on long sheets of paper – see diagram.
Print Medium
Your plate will be printed in black ink. You can use relief or intaglio print methods e.g. Linocut, woodcut (on thin ply), collagraph, drypoint.
You will need to use thin plate material because plates will be printed in groups on the large Radcliffe etching press.
Edition Requirement
A minimum edition of 7 identical prints for each print in the series. Members will keep one of the prints, and one print from the edition will be retained for the Swansea Print Workshop archive, one will be donated to the South Wales Miner’s Library for their collection.
If you are not a member and would like to take part in this project, you can join for as little as £35 for the year. You can purchase your membership in our online shop.
Our Proof the Roof project is an investment in SPW, 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. The project is supported by a substantial grant from the Arts Council of Wales Capital Investment Fund You can read more about the project and how you can help us raise the remaining funds we need here.
