Nick Gill, who is co-founder of Thin Ice Press: York Centre for Print and runs his own typecasting business in North Yorkshire, Effra Press, received the award for his contributions to supporting and preserving the endangered crafts of letterpress printing and type casting.
The awards are hosted by Heritage Crafts, a national charity working in partnership with government and agencies to provide a focus for craftspeople who aim to sustain and promote traditional craft skills.
Gill is also printer in residence at the University of York’s Department of English and Related Literature and teaches on the MA module in letterpress printing, as well as supporting the AHRC-funded Print Matters project.
Gill said: “It was fantastic to be among so many creative and passionate people at the Heritage Craft awards. Letterpress printing is on the red list of endangered crafts and so these events really highlight just how important these skills still are and the huge support they have from the heritage industry.
“Being part of the York Centre for Print and the University of York means that I can work with the next generation of craftspeople, making important steps in ensuring that letterpress printing continues long into the future.”
Thin Ice Press opened its doors earlier this year at the Old School House in York, following a crowdfunding campaign to bring printing press research at the University of York’s Department of English and Related Literature to a wider audience.
It now welcomes visitors for workshops, business away days, talks, and events that explore creative art and York’s printing history.
Professor Helen Smith, centre director, also commented: “We’re delighted to see Nick’s work recognised and celebrated in this way. Type casting and letterpress printing are hugely important skills with a rich history, and we’re proud to be reinvigorating them for new audiences and craftspeople.”
Thin Ice Press has its origins in the StreetLife project, a scheme run by the University of York to help regenerate Coney Street in York following the challenges that were presented to high street shops as a result of the pandemic.
Printweek visited Thin Ice Press last month with Northern Stationers and it will feature as part of a briefing in the December/January issue of the magazine.
