Melbourne Art Print Fair celebrates the creativity & diversity of contemporary printmaking 

6–8 February 2026

Melbourne Art Print Fair (MAPF) is a dynamic annual program celebrating the collective creativity of Australia’s contemporary printmaking community and highlighting the artistic, cultural and technical diversity of the medium. 

The inaugural edition of MAPF in February 2025, a free exhibition held at Linden New Art, established an exciting new offering in the national arts calendar. Seven leading national print agencies presented work by forty living Australian artists, and the opening night drew a crowd of 400 visitors. Over the three-day event, more than 1200 people attended the Fair, demonstrating the strong interest in contemporary printmaking and the appeal of a curated, artist-centred platform.

A program of free talks supported the Fair’s educational focus, while a curated exhibition enriched the visitor experience. Each morning, queues formed at the door, a testament to the energy, enthusiasm and curiosity that surrounded the launch of this new annual initiative.

“At the inaugural Melbourne Art Print Fair, we were greeted every morning by queuing visitors waiting for the doors to open. Edition 2 will be expanded, with more contemporary prints by a diverse range of artists on display, as well as opportunities to meet and hear from the makers, printers and publishers, and take part in free hands-on workshops.” Bronwyn Johnson, Co-Founder and Director, Melbourne Art Print Fair

MAPF Edition2: 6–8 February 2026

Building on the success of its first year, Edition2 will expand both participation and programming. Nine national print agencies are scheduled to participate in the free exhibition, including five returning exhibitors alongside new participants BSG Editions, Viridian Press and Troppo Print Studio. The 2026 Fair will feature an expanded program of free talks delivered by artists, printers and publishers, with full program details to be announced in January.

Hands-on printmaking workshops will also be introduced, including a Large Format Letterpress Workshop facilitated by Firestation Print Studio. Details of all workshops will be released in January. A curated exhibition drawn from a private collection will accompany the Fair, further broadening the public’s engagement with original fine art prints.

In 2026, Melbourne Art Print Fair will also introduce a new accolade: the M.E.S. Materials Award, supported by Melbourne Etching Supplies. Judged by Linden New Art Director Dr Vincent Alessi and an M.E.S. representative, the award will provide $500 worth of M.E.S. materials to one of the artists exhibiting at the Fair. This new initiative strengthens the Fair’s commitment to supporting contemporary practice and recognising excellence in the field.

Through curated exhibitions, demonstrations, artist talks and conversations, MAPF aims to deepen public understanding of printmaking, grow and support the national printmaking community, and foster a stronger culture of collecting original prints by Australian contemporary artists. Entry to all events is free.

“Wonderful to see a new event that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary print making in Australia. The opening night and weekend programs were a wonderful opportunity for artists and colleagues to come together in the welcoming surrounds of Linden.”  Cathy Leahy, Senior Curator, Prints and Drawings, National Gallery of Victoria
 
“Linden New Art is excited to partner with the presentation of the Melbourne Art Print Fair. The event shares Linden’s commitment to supporting living contemporary artists and showcasing the best of contemporary practice. We are thrilled with the outcomes of the 2025 event and looking forward to seeing lots of exciting new prints in 2026.”  Dr Vincent Alessi, Artistic Director and CEO, Linden New Art 

About Melbourne Art Print Fair
Melbourne Art Print Fair is an annual program dedicated to promoting and celebrating contemporary printmaking in Australia. Through a curated series of free events—including fairs, exhibitions, talks, demonstrations and workshops—it aims to support artists, printers and print publishers; deepen public understanding of printmaking; and foster a strong culture of collecting original prints. The Fair is committed to accessibility, community engagement and the ongoing vitality of printmaking as a contemporary art form.

Melbourne Art Print Fair – Directors
 
Kelly Gellatly, Kirsty Grant and Bronwyn Johnson – Kaleidoscope Editions
Kelly Gellatly, Kirsty Grant and Bronwyn Johnson bring a wealth of combined knowledge of Australian visual arts to their endeavours. As curators, writers, publishers, producers and passionate advocates of contemporary artists and art, they have held important roles at the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia, Heide Museum of Modern Art, the Ian Potter Museum of Art, the Melbourne International Festival for the Arts and Melbourne Art Fair.

Launched in 2023, Kaleidoscope Editions encourages the production of great art, bringing contemporary artists together with master printers to create limited edition prints, providing new creative opportunities for all involved.

Trent Walter – Negative Press
Trent Walter is an artist, publisher, printer and occasional curator. He recently completed a PhD in Fine Art at Monash University on the neglected histories of printmaking.

Negative Press, established in 2009, is a publisher and printer of limited edition prints and artists books by contemporary Australian artists, founded by Trent Walter and based in Brunswick. Since 2012, Negative Press has published limited edition prints and artists books by Rose Nolan, Brook Andrew, Elizabeth Newman, Fayen d’Evie and John Nixon. Works published by Negative Press are in the collections of significant Australian and international museums.

Melbourne Art Print Fair: edition2
Linden New Art
26 Acland St, St Kilda
Free exhibtion