Description
Production materials (1985-2001) for books and broadsides published by Brighton Press, a San Diego (Calif.) fine press directed
by Bill Kelly and Michele Burgess. Materials include correspondence with artists, production notes, woodcut blocks, etching
plates, plate proofs, letterpress proofs, mock-ups, and trial housings. The archive is arranged chronologically by title
of publication and includes the following books and broadsides: A) A COLORED POEM (1985), B) THE HOUSE THE POET BUILT (1985),
C) MIDNIGHT CARNIVAL (1988), D) THE MOUSE AND THE WOMAN (1988), E) HARD TRAVELING (1989), F) JANET AND DELOSS: POEMS AND PICTURES
(1990), G) PAPER OF LIVE FLESH (1990), H) SHE SAID: I TELL YOU IT DOESN'T HURT ME (1991), I) STERNBERG: A LIFE IN WOODCUTS
(1991), J) ARTIFICIO PARA SOBREVIVIR = DEVICE FOR SURVIVAL (1992), K) DROUGHT (1992), L) FLAME (1992), M) PILGRIMS (1992),
N) POEM MADE OF WATER (1992), O) SKIN OF GRACE (1992), P) TERRITORY (1993), Q) MAHLER:POEMS AND ETCHINGS (1994), R) PROCRUSTES
INN REGISTER (1995), S) SEVEN PASSAGES TO A FLIGHT (1997), T) FORCE=EQUAL (1997), U) SLEEPING INSIDE THE GLACIER (1997), V)
SWIMMING LESSONS (1999) and W) WHEN THERE WERE TREES (1999). Also includes administrative materials documentating the collaboration
between Brighton Press and the artists it worked with.
Background
Brighton Press, located in San Diego (Calif.), was founded in 1985 by Bill Kelly, a self-taught printer and artist. Kelly
initially focused on the production of fine prints, but the publication of "livres d'artistes" and limited edition books soon
became the dominant activity. In 1985, Michele Burgess and James Renner joined Brighton Press as apprentice printers. Currently
Burgess, who studied painting and printmaking at the University of San Diego and received a master's degree in printmaking
from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, co-directs the press. Renner serves as editorial director.
Extent
32.30 linear feet
(10 archives boxes, 2 records cartons, 1 card file box, 181 oversize folders, and 26 art bin items.)