The Medium is the Message
Venues: click for map
Exhibitions:
Palette ● BA1 5BG ● 8 May - 27 June
44AD artspace ● BA1 1NN ● 8 - 16 May + 16 June - 17 July
Window exhibitions:
George Bayntun ● BA1 1JW ● 8 May - 27 June
Slowly Downward Gallery ● BA1 5BL ● 22 May - 27 June
Posters from Bath Community Printshop 1977 - 1983
An exhibition organised by Bath Fringe (FaB’s big sister festival) : bathfringe.co.uk/printshop-project-2026
Bath Printshop was part of a number of community enterprises under the auspices of Bath Arts Workshop. Initially at what became Riverside Community Centre, which opened in May 1976, it was set up by Louise Ingham (then a student at Bath Academy of Art) and Nigel Leach.
“Bath Fringe got interested in the Printshop when we learned there was a box full of its posters in the Bath City Archive – this came on the heels of Nigel’s death, although Louise and other workers from back in the day are still very much with us. There are even five posters in the collection of the V&A in London!”
“The work has inspired these exhibitions, a couple of Bath Fringe’s – at Palette on Walcot Street, and as part of the annual Print Exhibition at 44AD – and one at Bath Spa University Locksbrook Road – including new work responses to the posters from students on the same course in Graphic Arts.”
“Bath Fringe Festival interested in telling the stories of the artists involved, and the events, groups, and venues they were publicising. will be posting images on our social media from January 2026 and asking YOU for the stories, memories and experiences they evoke: we will have a special address for this but if you can’t wait, use the Fringe admin EMail. And if you’ve got any Bath Printshop work in a dusty drawer or a clip-frame on your wall, send us a photo of that too!”
©️ Images and texts family estate of Nigel Leach
Exhibitions:
Palette Gallery, 98 Walcot Street, May 8 – June 27
44AD Artspace, 4 Abbey Street May 8 – 16 [their Open Print Exhibition] and June 16 – July 11.
Windows:
George Bayntun, 23 Manvers Street
Slowly Downward, 146 Walcot Street
Future exhibition:
Student work inspired by posters from Bath Community Printshop (displaying some originals too) – Bath Spa University, Locksbrook Road, date TBC [after the summer]
©️ Images and texts family estate of Nigel Leach
The material is held by the Bath Records Office as part of the Bath Arts Workshop Collections. For any queries about reuse please contact archives@bathnes.gov.uk