Artists in Diss share skills to aid designermakers21 appeal

Charity creative hub designermakers 21 in Diss welcomed visitors to have a go at printing, etching and engraving on November 18, helping its campaign to stay open.

The Drawing through Printmaking event saw people of all ages try their hand at the likes of monotyping, lithography and dry-point engraving.

The hub started a ‘Save Our Story’ project in February, trying to raise £250,000 to purchase its home in St Nicholas Street from its landlord and a further £100,000 to fund repairs.

The fundraising campaign received £280 over the weekend to add to the pot, with £180 being raised from the event.

Marco Rayment, treasurer and trustee of designermakersCIO, said: “A great response from our supporters has seen our target reduced to £6,000.

“That means that, of the £125,000 we need to raise to match the Community Ownership Fund grant of £125,000, we have raised £119,000.

“We are confident that, with the continuing support of the local community, we can hit that target and secure designermakers21 for the future benefit of Diss, the wider local area and beyond.”

With the initial deadline for claiming the grant money being around a month away, supporters can still contribute through the following initiatives:

►Kate Rolfe, a dm21 alumni, has donated copies of her book, Wolf and Bear, and some limited edition prints for sale at designermakers21.

►Postcard art is again on sale at the site, made by supporters to benefit the appeal, for £5.

►There is a sale of a number of donated prints and paintings.

►Donations can be given by going to the hub’s Save Our Story page on JustGiving.