Hilary Paynter Awarded Prestigious MBE Honour!

Belated congratulations to Hilary Paynter on the MBE King’s Honours for services to the arts! The award was presented during the King’s birthday celebrations on Saturday June 17.

Many of WEN’s members have been touched by Hilary’s kindness and the recipient of feedback, encouragement, or assistance. Hilary has been a friend, instructor, hero, and advisor to many wood engravers around the globe. Additionally, WEN’s leadership is grateful for her advice and sympathetic ear, and for providing a model for exhibitions and what a wood engraving organization can be at its best.

We are delighted to announce that Hilary Paynter has received an honour for services to the Arts.

The honour recognises Hilary’s exceptional career as a distinguished practitioner of wood engraving and her role in the Society of Wood Engravers for over forty years. Firstly, in helping to re-convene the SWE, then as Secretary followed by Chair and as Exhibitions Secretary, a post she has held continually since 1984. Through Hilary’s work in this role, the SWE has toured its Annual Exhibition to the furthest reaches of the UK and beyond.

Hilary also played a key role in helping the Wood Engravers’ Network establish in the USA and supporting letters from WEN members will be entering the V&A collection to enable researchers and scholars of Hilary’s work, and of the medium in general, to understand the full extent of her contribution. — Society of Wood Engravers Chair & Committee

Sincere congratulations from WEN – the MBE was hard earned and well deserved.