Elephant Grass Printmakers Society is an artist run printmaking studio committed to expanding the tradition of printmaking and letterpress within our community, with the goal being both to provide access to printmaking and letterpress equipment, as well as to educate.

EGPS acknowledges we are in Mi’kma’ki – the unceded territory and ancestral homeland of the Mi’kmaq Nation. Our relationship is based on a series of Peace and Friendship treaties between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Crown, dating back to 1725. In Nova Scotia we recognize that We are All Treaty People.

Our name gives nod to a type of the Norfolk Reed commonly found in the area. The story goes that one day, a circus train passing through, stopped at the Annapolis Royal station to water and walk the elephants on board. A few weeks later, silvery grass over 10ft tall sprouted on the path taken by the elephants. The grass was forever after called Elephant Grass by the local community.  In truth, it is an invasive plant, used as thatching material by the Acadian settlers farming the region in 1600’s.

Established in 2013, EGPs continues to offer space for members and visiting printmakers to share their skills and experiences, and work on personal projects. Annually we host workshops by members and invited printmakers from outside the community to lead public workshops for skill development.  By organizing exhibits,  we educate audiences about the art of printmaking and build connections with print shops and printmakers around the province.

EGPs continues to support itself through annual membership fees and fundraising efforts. Membership in EGPs is open to anyone interested in printmaking at any skill level.

In 2020 EGPs formalized as a Non-Profit Society and moved from its original studio in Parker’s Cove, a fishing village on the Bay of Fundy, to 240 St. George Street, 2nd floor in downtown Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki.

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