Diss workshop teaches print-making to Ukrainian refugee children

Young refugees from war-torn Ukraine were invited to take part in a print workshop – and got to see their work go on display in Diss Library.

Lithographer Paul Sharrock, from designermakers21, led two sessions at the community venue on Friday, giving youngsters, aged from six to 12, an insight into some age-old printmaking processes.

Sponsored by The Arts Society Diss, the workshops culminated with the children’s work going on show at the Church Street library.

Arts society volunteer Georgina Livingstone praised the impact of the sessions. “It was a fascinating day and very moving,” she said.

“I met a mother from Odessa and another from Kherson, who only arrived three weeks ago.

“They both spent the afternoon getting to know each other, and their daughters were a real pleasure to meet.”

Arranged and funded by the arts society, similar events have been taking place across schools in Norfolk and Suffolk.

This latest project was set up with the aim of supporting Ukrainian families displaced by the ongoing conflict and living in Diss with host families.

It gave children the opportunity to get hands on with a number of printmaking techniques – with spectacular results.

“The children were shown how to design blueprints using natural and man-made materials, as well as making their own stencil designs,” explained Georgina. “Paul transformed these designs using an ultra violet lamp.

“When the pictures were developed, they were laid in water and the children watched with amazement as their designs turned deep blue and white.

“As arts volunteers, myself and Shirley Farrow were delighted to see how much the children enjoyed it.”

As part of a collaboration with designermakers21, the Norfolk Library Service and Ukrainian family support leaders based in Diss and Norfolk, the work will remain on show at the library for another week.

An arts and crafts hub based in Diss, designermakers 21 is currently fighting to preserve its future as it attempts to raise £350,000 in the next year to buy the St Nicholas Street building which has been its home for the last decade.

With the clock ticking, associated charity designermakersCIO is hoping to buy the unique Victorian building, ensuring the public have access to crafts and craft skills, inspiring creativity for generations to come.

It has launched a Save Our Story appeal to raise the six-figure sum, which it hopes to achieve through a combination of grants and fundraising. The building is set to be sold in early 2024.

At the launch of the appeal, resident artist Yvonne Pratt said: “I have just had the wonderful opportunity to showcase with designermakers21 for the past three months and would just like to say l have been supported by this amazing collective group of makers for years.

“Not only does this amazing studio serve its local communities in many different ways, it has also been there to support small makers.

“I’m wishing everyone the very best of success in raising the funds needed and my thanks for my exposure as an artist.”