Gisborne Printmakers celebrates 50 years of printmaking with new printing press

Ruth "Ninja" Helmling making a print with the Gisborne Printmakers' new etching press. Photo / Gisborne Printmakers

It’s a double celebration for Gisborne Printmakers this month. Not only are they celebrating their 50th birthday, but they are also the proud owners of a newly imported printing press.

Foundation and life member of the Gisborne Artists’ Society, Jean Johnston, said they were thrilled with the new press.

“Contemporary printmaking is one of the fastest-growing art forms in New Zealand,” she said.

“Now members of the Gisborne group can extend their range of skills using a state-of-the-art etching press.”

The Gunning Etching Press from Ironbridge workshops in Shropshire, England, arrived as a flatpack and was assembled in early January.

With a bed size of 90cm by 150cm, printmakers can create larger handmade art pieces.

These are achieved by an inked plate and paper pressing through the heavy rollers of an etching press.

When she heard the group’s much-used, 60-year-old Italian Bendini etching press needed attention, Robin Ormerod provided the Gisborne Printmakers with some funding to buy a new press.

It was a gift in memory of her printmaker mother, the late Penny Ormerod.

In 1976, the well-known national printmaker helped establish the Gisborne group after she taught a weekend zinc-etching workshop in the newly opened Lysnar House Studios.

Her time-honoured statement after opening a flagon of sherry - “We can’t stop now” - spurred the establishment of the Gisborne printmaking group 50 years ago.

“We are incredibly grateful to Robin and have arranged a sign near the press to honour Penny Ormerod, who generously taught and inspired the new members for over 10 years prior to her leaving the district,” Johnston said.

This new etching press is affectionately known as “Robin”.

During the 2026 celebration year, Gisborne Printmakers have planned a range of special events, including a 50 Year Celebration weekend beginning with the opening of their Celebration Exhibition in Tairāwhiti Museum on Friday, June 12.

They have invited master printmakers, including Dr Carole Shepheard and Lynn Taylor, who will also exhibit their prints with the group.

Johnston said Gisborne Printmakers appreciated the long relationship they had had with Jolene Douglas, kaiteki toi curator of art and exhibitions at Tairāwhiti Museum.

Several printmaking workshops are planned throughout 2026, beginning with introductory levels in February.

Members will have opportunities to extend their range of skills in other workshops with visiting master printmakers throughout the year.

“It is going to be a special year for the oldest printmaking group in New Zealand,” Johnston said.

For more information about printmaking, email printmakersgisborne@gmail.com.