York Unlocked
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September York is revealing its hidden secrets again
Ever wondered where York’s very first books were printed?
It’s that time of year again when York’s most exclusive buildings throw open their doors to the public and give up their secrets. This year, our beloved studio is part of it all – and I couldn’t be more excited to share a little slice of its history with you.
Did you know York has a rich publishing past? Our lovely studio was once a printer’s workshop. Upstairs, you can still see the original presses and imagine the clatter of type as some of the city’s very first books came to life.
The first book ever printed in York was an ecclesiastical text nicknamed the Pica – Latin for magpie – named for its black text against a white page. In the 1490s, York became one of just four cities chosen to adopt the revolutionary technology of moveable type, less than 35 years after William Caxton introduced printing to Westminster.
That very book, Pica, went on to lend its name to our artist-led studio. As the York Press once described:
“With only a tiny window and tallow candles for light, Hugo Goes peered into his box of printer’s type. The one-inch letters he took out spelled Thomas Hannibal – the first words in the first book to be printed in York. It also spelled doom for the city’s scribes, who were about to see an end to their livelihoods.”
It kicks off:
Saturday 27th and
Sunday 28th September
10am - 5pm
Pica Postcard Sale
To celebrate, we’re launching our annual Pica postcard sale. A whole range of postcard-sized artworks will be available for just £25 each.
For context, my pieces of this size usually sell for around £115 – so this is a rare chance to own original art at a fraction of the price. Every penny raised goes straight back into keeping our artist-led studio thriving. These can also be purchased through the Pica Instagram.
Jacob even managed to get a little sneak peek behind the scenes with Uncle Ric – starting him young!
And as always, the simplest way you can support my work is by subscribing, liking, or leaving a comment. It not only helps others discover my art, but it’s genuinely lovely to hear from you.
Until next time,
Rae
