Support Brighton Press in Michele's Memory

We are deeply saddened to share that on November 2nd, 2024, Michele Burgess passed away peacefully & unexpectedly in her sleep. Michele was an exceptionally talented painter, bookmaker, teacher, gift-giver, dog-lover, and cook–as well as our dearest and most beloved partner, collaborator, sister, and aunt. A fiercely devoted artist all her life, she left behind an astonishing body of work. (Some of which can be seen on her personal website: https://www.micheleburgessart.com/)

As many of you know, Michele was the creative director and heart of Brighton Press (https://www.brightonpress.net/), founded in 1985 by her husband Bill Kelly. A small but mighty operation, Brighton Press has been defying the odds for decades, creating some of the most exquisite and innovative fine press, limited-edition artists’ books and broadsides. Brighton Press is represented in over 100 public and private collections, including the Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts, the Getty Research Institute, the Library of Congress, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Newberry Library, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, University of Vermont, Indiana University, Stanford University, and numerous other university libraries and museums.

In the days before her passing, Michele was deeply and happily engaged in her latest project, Nocturne, pulling prints and working with her dear assistants Bill, Nelle, & Abby. We are reaching out to Michele & Bill's greater community now with an opportunity to support Brighton Press. All funds raised will go towards the continuation and completion of their current works, as well as maintaining and preserving Brighton Press's archives. It goes without saying that all of this will be done in Michele's honor. Any and all support is deeply appreciated. Please feel free to share this link with anyone you know who may be interested in supporting this effort.

If you would like to be kept in the loop about opportunities to purchase art and books, as the Brighton Press's inventory and archives are organized, please send a note to us at the email address linked here.