Sheila Roberts receives JP Purcell Award

A huge congratulations to Perthshire Artisan and printmaker Sheila Roberts, who has been awarded the prestigious John Purcell Paper Award (JP Purcell Award) at the 2026 Printmakers of Scotland Festival of Print, held at the University of Stirling from 14–16 August.

Sheila won the award for her striking print, The Rusty Sign, which was recognised for its powerful combination of subject matter and prescience - meaning foresight or knowledge of something before it happens.

Created in February 2026, The Rusty Sign has proved to be an extraordinarily timely work. Sheila had been planning the print since last year, with the intention of exploring and developing different marks and textures on the printing plate. She was delighted with the finished result, but could not have anticipated just how relevant the work would become following the recent devastating Caledonian Forest fires across the Cairngorms, Scotland.

The forests are home to precious native wildlife, including the Crested Tit, and the recent wildfires have highlighted the vulnerability of Scotland's natural heritage. Sheila's award-winning print therefore carries an especially poignant message at a time when we are all being reminded of the importance of protecting our landscapes and wildlife. As Sheila notes, we must all take greater care and responsibility to help ensure such fires do not happen again.

The JP Purcell Award celebrates not only Sheila's artistic skill but also the remarkable ability of printmaking to capture ideas, places and moments with lasting impact. The Rusty Sign demonstrates how thoughtful craftsmanship, experimentation with texture and a powerful subject can come together to create a work that resonates far beyond the studio.

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The award was sponsored by John Purcell Paper, whose support helped make the 2026 Printmakers of Scotland Festival possible.

We are delighted to celebrate Sheila's well-deserved achievement and this wonderful recognition of her creativity, craftsmanship and foresight. Congratulations, Sheila, on winning the 2026 JP Purcell Award!