“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” These wise words, attributed to the Dutch painter Van Gogh, apply just as well to what is going on at Peckham Print Studio. This small enterprise, tucked away behind the Sunday Painter Gallery just off Peckham Rye Station is punching way above its weight in terms of influence and ambition in the design printing space.
Founded by Nathan Bryant and Hugh Barrell in 2012, what started as a simple idea to provide a working space and artistic support to designers and printers is now a thriving inter-disciplinary community of creatives with the studio as its hub. At the time they were starting out, both Nathan and Hugh found that nobody else seemed to be doing the kind of thing they where looking for. So they set out to develop their own concept; a courageous step which has proven to be a viable business model.
The business currently focuses on five core streams of activity: open access studio membership, weekly public workshops, events, commercial work and an online shop showcasing the work of selected artists.
In the spirit of the two founders, the approach and the management of each of these streams is supportive, welcoming and decidedly un-snobbish. And yet there is a sense of productivity and purpose in everything they do.
Members are selected on the basis of their work ethic rather than the style or taste of their work. The limited spaces, open to about 15 members at a time, are allocated to those who are committed to making best use of the opportunity. It is a flexible arrangement in which members are welcome to stay for as long or as little as they need. To support and develop local talent, one of the memberships has been set aside for an annual residency programme which offers one candidate free, all-access studio membership and the opportunity to assist the resident printer for a six month period.
The weekly workshops are open to all and provide a uniquely intensive learning experience. They are led by a qualified working printer and only four people are accepted per workshop so that each participant can get proper hands-on practice and the full attention of the tutor.
To enhance the creative community experience, the duo have started offering annual field trips to local places of interest to encourage people to look to their local community and surroundings for artistic inspiration.
And then there is the commercial work and the online shop. These have grown from building up a strong network of partnerships and collaborations with corporate organisations, creative agencies, artists and designers. Peckham Print Studios currently fabricate one-off fine art pieces and limited edition screen prints for emerging designers like Tal Dori or Kyle Platts, or for more established artists like Oliver Osborne. Some of these eclectic productions are available for purchase via the online shop.
When you visit their studio in South East London, it is surprising to see how so much can be achieved within such a limited space. But as Nathan was quick to emphasis, starting small was a definite advantage, as it forced them to come up with creative solutions to develop their vision. I suppose that is something every business can learn from:
Start small, follow your vision, grow wholesomely, and success, as they say, will follow.
Artisan Makers 