Visitors to a new exhibition have the chance to create their very own hand-made prints. The 2009 New Year Print Art Festival (NYPAF) in 798 Art Zone features live demonstrations and lets ordinary people better understand the art form by doing it themselves. Chinese printmaking dates back 1,300 years ago and is an important carrier of Chinese culture and history. In recent times, this art form has been undergoing a revival in the cities. To take advantage of this new popularity, China Print Art Online is holding the exhibition. More than 40 avant-garde printmakers from home and abroad are presenting their masterpieces at the Amelie Gallery and four other galleries inside 798. Over the next two months, these galleries are showcasing international creative trends in printmaking.

In the West, printmaking has always proved popular. In the works of America artist Gordon Mortensen, mountains and rivers of North America flow with poeticism.

His works are often filled with rich details and the numerous watercolors he uses in the printing process helps create a sense of amazing freshness. He uses up to 64 colors in one print, which takes three months to complete.

Ralph Kiggell, a British artist currently residing in Thailand, creates a green scene thriving in the monsoon rains. This impenetrable richness is the essence of the ancient land of the Buddha.

Chinese water block woodcuts on xuan paper have garnered acclaim throughout the world. Nanjing-based artist Chen Qi, from the China Central Academy of Fine Art, is the most representative artist of this form in China.

Wang Qi and Li Qun, artists from the older generation, skillfully present social history in a new approach to Chinese landscapes.

Organizers say the exhibition presents fresh and affordable art. "Over commercialization of Chinese art creates thrilling auction records and contemporary art has been trapped in a small, privileged circle for the rich, manipulated by art investors and opportunists," says Jessica Zhang, director of China Print Art Online

"So eight famous domestic printmakers are invited to specially create original prints as New Year cards, allowing visitors to collect top art at only 500 yuan, which can be an exclusive and valuable gift for New Year celebration."

The show runs until March 6.