Printing at the Mela

Visitors to the Manchester Mega  Mela , were able to get creative at the Arts and Crafts Marquee in Platt Fields in July . The annual event saw thousands of visitors take in the music, entertainments and creative activities. Alan Birch was working with Manchester Museum, creating  engravings on the theme of  The Lost Words a book by Jackie Morris. The session saw artists produce drawings which were then engraved and printed using a portable press and water based inks. Children and adults alike produced nearly two hundred prints during the weekend, some which wouldn’t have looked out of place alongside Jackie’s illustrations.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.

Family engraving at the Mela with Alan Birch and Manchester Museum.