Brighton Press

An internationally known fine press located in San Diego, Calif. The press specializes in collaborations among Bill Kelly and Michele Burgess, the directors of the press, and selected writers and artists. Since its beginning, the press has produced over thirty books and other publications.

From the description of Brighton Press archive, 1985-2001. (University of California, San Diego). WorldCat record id: 43724998

Administrative History

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.

The Brighton Press staff of artists, poets and craftspeople specializes in intaglio, relief and letterpress printing. They work with sculptors, poets, painters, and playwrights at their studio facility and often facilitate collaborative works between artists and authors.

Notable poets and authors published by Brighton Press include Sandra Alcosser, Juvenal Acosta, Mary Julia Klimenko, Janet Lewis, C.G. Hanzlicek, Stephen Metcalfe, W.D. Snodgrass, John Steinbeck, Dylan Thomas, Emilio Adolpho Westphalen, and Nancy Willard. Artists whose work appears in Brighton Press books include Michele Burgess, Robert Cremean, Bill Kelly, Deloss McGraw, Manuel Neri, Oldrich Prochazka, James Renner, Faith Ringgold, Derli Romero, Harry Sternberg, Fernando de Szyszlo, and Julia Talcott.

From the guide to the Brighton Press Archive, 1985 - 2001, (University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.)