The event which took place in the Council Depot at Magherafelt was viewed by NRC art students, artists and members of the public all keep to watch the artwork unfold. The Big Lino Print Event, is part of the EU Peace III funded, Peace Through The Arts Festival, to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster and has involved local schools and townspeople working on individual linocuts featuring the town’s history and heritage.
All small linocuts were then assembled at the Big Linocut Event into public artworks which were then printed by a construction industry road roller. Al Smyth from Oyster Press says “It has been a great achievement to make history in Magherafelt. This type of large scale print making has never been done before in Northern Ireland so it seems fitting to make history for a project that is all about our history and the making of Magherafelt.”
Davina McCartney, the Economic Development & Regeneration Manager for Magherafelt District Council said “We wanted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster with something unique and spectacular. Being the first town in Northern Ireland to hold an exciting art project like this has helped us to achieve our goal. The work produced at the Big Lino Print Event will go on display in the town at the end of November as a lasting tribute to the people of Magherafelt in this special anniversary year. “
Darlene Hagan-Bezgin Curriculum Manager of Art and Design at NRC said, “We very much welcome the opportunity to take part in external projects it adds so much to the student experience and this project was particular good as it allows students not only to make history also allows students to see their work produced professional in a form of a book and two huge wall hangings”.
