Founded in 2018 by Jo Darvall, Annemie McAuliffe, and Claire Lawson as a professional working space where WA artists can develop and refine their printmaking practice, the Swan River Print Studio is a not-for-profit organisation developed and managed by artists.

Incorporation was set up and artists Harvey Mullen (who kindly designed the logo and sourced plan drawers) Maggie Calzoni, Bethwyn Porter and Elizabeth Atahan joined the group.

Jana Braddock offered studio space at Melville Cultural Precinct (previously known as Heathcote) to house a 1950’s Melbourne Etching Press purchased by Jo Darvall’s husband Pip, from Newman TAFE. Harvey Mullen, Shane Mullins and Pip Darvall installed the press.

In 2021, an 1857 Columbian Printing Press number 1179, was installed at Swan River Print Studio. 

The Press was previously owned by printmaker Katie Clemson who had established White Gum Press in Hampshire, UK. She had the Press moved to Australia in 2000 and in 2006 it was purchased by four keen printmakers who had been mentored by Clemson before her death in 2007. 

Although its early provenance cannot be proven, Clemson had bought the Columbian from her friend Gertrude Hermes, wife of Blair Hughes-Stanton, both highly successful UK printmakers of their time. In Australia, Clemson collaborated with local WA artists such as George Haynes, Leon Pericles, Marie Hobbs and Jeremy Kirwan-Ward to publish Western Sights, a portfolio of 15 relief prints that were printed on the Columbian, and an Albion Press now held at Edith Cowan University.

Joy Lefroy, a co-owner of the Columbian since 2006, joined Swan River Print in 2018. In early 2021 negotiations began with the other co-owners Jenny Rosser, Rosemary Hunter and Vern Reid, to offer a long term loan to the Studio. In May 2021 it was moved, piece by piece by John Rosser and is now available for all members to use.

Members engage in a wide range of traditional and experimental printmaking techniques and exhibit together on an annual basis. In addition, the studio has sessional membership which enables other printmakers to use the facilities; special projects which facilitate project-specific use of the printmaking facilities by other artists, collaborative projects and open workshops run by studio members or commissioned with visiting printmakers.

The studio is located on Whadjuk Nyoongar country in the Gyinning Ellenbrook Building at Goolugatup Heathcote, and is regularly open to the public on Goolugatup market days.