A new and exciting exhibition opens at Stirling's Smith Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday 3 April.
The 5th British International Miniature Print Exhibition features the very best in original printmaking using traditional techniques like etching or screen print to the latest digital technologies.
Each of the 223 miniatures is no larger than 70cm2.

Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries have taken on the running of this 5th biennial exhibition from the Off Centre Gallery in Bristol who previously ran the exhibition four times with a UK wide touring schedule. Comments from visitors to past exhibitions include:
"The best way to see what's happening in printmaking".
"A treat - the minis are just great - so much detail in such a small space"
"Absolute creativity"
"Fantastic, what more can I say?"

The aim of this 5th exhibition was to make a selection of contemporary fine art printmaking of the highest quality in all respects. Over 400 individuals submitted over 1200 prints and the selection panel met at the end of July 2003 to undertake the mammoth and difficult task of selecting down to the required number for exhibition.

The selection panel comprised: Friedhard Kiekeben, RSA, and tutor on Gracefield's International Summer School, Sarah Van Niekerk, a highly respected wood engraver, John McKechie, Director, Glasgow Print Studio, Peter Ford and Christine Higgot of the Off Centre Gallery, and Gracefield's Arts Officer, Dawn Henderby.
Anne Desmet, Editor of the international journal Printmaking Today, selected a winner for the Printmaking Today Feature Prize from the successful entries and purchase prizes were also given from the Off Centre, Gracefield, John Purcell Papers, and a materials prize from Specialist Crafts.
As with the 4th British International Miniature Print Exhibition, in addition to the selected small-scale prints 17 invited artists are showing one larger work.

There is a huge range of styles and methods represented in this year's show, from screen printing and etching to digital and photographic techniques. And it is a truly international representation with contributions from Canada, Brazil, Lithuania, Australia, USA, Japan and China. The UK is well represented too with entries from every corner of the country. The exhibition is touring to four Scottish venues including the Smith, before heading over the border to go to museums and art galleries across England until the end of 2005.

GO to What's On at the Smith