About
David during our first sorting day, 18th September 2009
The International Print Exchange is an unjuried print exchange with no assigned theme, open to all, that celebrates fine art printmaking.
The IPE is a self-funded project organised by Green Door Printmaking Studio. Our goal is simple; to share prints, promote printmaking and showcase the inspirational, acomplished and passionate printmakers all over the world that utilise contemporary printmaking today.
History
The International Print Exchange (IPE) was founded by and is dedicated to David Michael Johnson.
In 2009, David sent out our original call for interest to printmakers from all over the world on 28th February 2009 with the hopes that a few would be interested in a small studio based in the United Kingdom organising such an event.
Within just 24 hours, we received over 400 positive emails from national and international printmakers. Such a response surpassed even our wildest expectations and prompted the beginning of our first International Print Exchange in 2009.
David was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after our first exchange was completed, and after a precious few months with his family around him, he sadly passed away on 4th June 2010.
Unfortunately, David's sudden illness took away his chance of ever seeing the fruition of our second IPE in late 2010, nor any other subsequent exchanges.
Even though David is no longer with us, we have continued his legacy and every year we dedicate each exchange in his memory.
"Since the first IPE that I entered, the prints that I've received are high quality and it's always exciting to receive them. The Green Door folks are so awesome. The presentation and packaging are great. I like the international aspect of it as well, receiving prints from all over the world..."
- John Bergmeier
United States
The first ever participant & longest contributor of the International Print Exchange
How it works...
Each participating printmaker creates and submits a limited edition of ten prints specifically for the International Print Exchange. These prints are created using a recognised fine art printmaking technique with archival materials. Of the ten prints submitted, Green Door Printmaking Studio keeps two; the first for our archive and exhibition; the second for sale to fund future exchange projects (in return, if sold, this printmaker will receive free entry to the following year's exchange).
The remaining prints are randomised and sorted, and each printmaker receives eight random prints in return from all printmakers all over the world.
Green Door Printmaking Studio
Green Door Printmaking Studio is Derbyshire's open access studio dedicated to the art and craft of innovative and environmentally sound printmaking.
The studio was set up with the ethos that printmaking should be accessible to anyone who is interested in exploring and developing their own creative practice with print. We are actively working to create a supportive, vibrant and diverse local printmaking community.
Membership of Green Door is open to everyone: from novice to established professional artist. To use our open access facilities, you must first be a member of the studio.
If you would like to use our facilities, and have some previous experience, you must first demonstrate that you have a good working knowledge of the processes you wish to use. This could be by taking part in one of our courses, or providing sufficient evidence of prior learning.
"I have participated for the last several years and enjoy the challenge. Having an exchange is a fantastic way to connect to other printmakers and see how they work. It is fantastic when the prints arrive and you can see the visual beauty in person."
- Gina Louthian-Stanley
United States