Hot off the press: Africa by local student Louisa Ho is one of the works on display at the Visual Arts Centre as part of the Graphic Art Fiesta 2007.

The Hong Kong Graphic Art Fiesta 2007, comprising two exhibitions and a variety of educational and promotional activities, has opened to introduce contemporary printing works from different countries and regions, and to encourage local printmaking.

Leisure & Cultural Services Assistant Director (Heritage & Museums) Dr Louis Ng described the fiesta as the biggest printmaking event in recent years.

"They not only provide a glimpse of the latest local and overseas works of print but also foster cultural exchange between artists and raise viewers' interest and concerns in the creativity and education of print art," Dr Ng said.

The two exhibitions are Crossing Boundaries: An International Print Exchange Exhibition, and Hot Off the Press.

Crossing Boundaries showcases works from 12 printmaking workshops in Hong Kong, Macau, the Mainland, Australia, England, Finland, the Slovak Republic and the US. It is now on at Tsuen Wan Town Hall until November 13, with part of the works being displayed at Tsuen Wan Plaza.

Hot Off the Press, featuring recent print works by students of local universities and colleges, aims to encourage creativity in printmaking among budding artists.

It will run November 30 to December 10 at the Visual Arts Centre and move to the Polytechnic University December 19 to January 17.

The fiesta is a partnership project of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department's Art Promotion Office and Hong Kong Open Printshop.