An upcoming exhibition at the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery will attract leading artists and industry representatives from across Australia to debate the art of printmaking.

‘Regional Marks Exhibition: Celebrating 50 Years of Print’, curated by Cathy Money, will showcase innovative printmaking through traditional and contemporary methods.

The exhibition, opening on Thursday 19 May from 6.30pm to 8pm, will also feature a highly-anticipated panel discussion called ‘What is Print?’ on Saturday 21 May from 2.30pm to 4pm.

USC Gallery manager Lou Jaeger said it was a coup for the Sunshine Coast to host the milestone events celebrating the Print Council of Australia’s 50th birthday in 2016.

“The exhibition will feature works by established and emerging printmakers, from the Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay council regions including USC students,” Ms Jaeger said.

“It will include all print forms, traditional through to digital, on all printable surface mediums from artist books to sculptural works.

“There will be a series of supporting demonstrations and workshops conducted by printmakers as part of the public programs offered by the Gallery.”

Ms Jaeger said the free Saturday panel discussion could prove heated, as leading industry representatives aimed to define printmaking in a digital age “where modern print techniques have taken a permanent foothold in the traditional arena”.

‘Regional Marks’ is part of the national celebration of print scheduled in 2016 and is supported by The Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

‘Regional Marks’, in association with the Print Council of Australia’s 2016 Year of Print, is supported by the University of the Sunshine Coast and Argon Law.

The exhibition will run until 2 July. For details go to www.usc.edu.au/art-gallery

— Julie Schomberg