Belfast Print Workshop & Gallery

Belfast Print Workshop is the longest established resource in Northern Ireland for artists wanting to work in the various printmaking media. The Workshop provides facilities for professional artists, and has strong links with the art teaching colleges and universities in the city. We also offer courses and tuition for artists that have no prior-experience of printmaking or want to refresh or extend their knowledge. The Belfast Print Workshop, initially known as Endhouse Print Workshop, grew from the activities in the early seventies of a group of artists and printmakers who were interested in establishing a workshop in Belfast. A constitution was drawn up, and an etching press purchased. Endhouse Print Workshop was taken under the financial wing of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 1977 and its name changed to Belfast Print Workshop. In addition to funding the purchase of equipment and staffing, the Arts Council also offered space in what was then its headquarters, Riddel Hall. The workshop was located in the former kitchen area at the rear of Riddel Hall, a former student Halls of Residence, built in 1913. During the late 1990s the Workshop decided to look for alternative premises that would allow for development. Eventually, the decision was made to move to Cotton Court, a former Bonded Warehouse, re-furbished for Arts usage by Laganside Corporation. Located in the developing Cathedral Quarter in central Belfast, it offered a considerable potential. The move took place early in 2003. Since the move, the Workshop has seen the beginnings of the re-vitalisation that was anticipated. A busy programme, new members, a new Director and Workshop Manager, and the first major Artist-in-Residence, David Mach, reflect the renewed energy of Belfast Print Workshop.