With spring in full bloom, the University of Sussex is warming up for Brighton Festival!

From April 22 until June, Sussex Festival of Ideas presents an interactive and stimulating lineup of discussions and events hosted by the School of Media, Arts, and Humanities (MAH). Seven events took place last week in the run up to the festival, and because they were designed by MAH students, attendees had the opportunity to witness their work and unique perspectives on the world. Don’t miss the eight events that are still to come, six of which form part of the official Brighton Festival Programme!

On Monday 22 April, to celebrate the first day of Festival of Ideas, I attended an event called ‘Letterpress Masterclass with Printer Richard Lawrence & Publication Launch’ designed by Harriet Rose, a current BA English student.

Have you ever thought of experimenting with printing, making your own books or zines? As a passionate lover of paper books, the content of this event was particularly captivating to me. Also, as it was my first time visiting the Old Albion press housed at Sussex, Arts B 151, the whole session was filled with excitement.

For the first two hours, Oxford Printer Richard Lawrence gave a letterpress masterclass, explaining the background and techniques behind letterpress printing. Once the students grasped the essential information, they experimented with different font sizes and shapes of letters, assembling them into sentences to create a book cover. Following Richard's demonstrations, students had the opportunity to experience real printing and obtain their first-ever printed copy.

Harriet, the event organiser, expressed, “As a lover of poetry, I enjoy seeing my work printed out to share with others. Through the printing process, I fell in love with small print and lettering, and I wanted to provide Sussex students with the same experience. It's wonderful to see everyone enjoying their first experience in this fantastic printing house area at Sussex!” 

For letterpress printing enthusiasts, Dr Bethan Stevens kindly noted that those who have completed the induction training and wish to use the letterpress machine in Arts B151, can get in touch with her via email. With recent additions to letter sizes and types, this print room will undoubtedly become the hub of diverse and unique publications at Sussex. 

Following Richard's session, a letterpress book/zine launch event took place. A group of students who had been involved in small print projects led the session by showcasing their printed works and presenting their poems and stories. All printed books were available for sale by donation to medical aid for Palestinians, you can contact Harriet for further information.

Kate Frances (MA Creative and Critical writing), one of the students who gave a speech at the event, shared her experience of collaborating with a small print company to publish her first book, Daydream Erratica. Kate added that this experience led to many unexpected opportunities, such as engaging with readers and fellow writers, which is a significant step forward that every writer wants to make happen.  

Regardless of whether participants had previous printing experience or not, today's event truly brought everyone together in the world of writing and letterpress printing. The opportunity to learn about and witness Sussex students' print work was genuinely inspiring for all participants. 

Sussex Festival of Ideas will continue until June, offering a plethora of events that promise exciting discussions and engagements. It's a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into specific areas such as art, history, performance, and more. Hoping you all get the chance to enjoy the rest of the series. 

Jenny Choi studies Media and Communications. When not blogging or studying, she enjoys strolling around the Brighton Beach area.

This post also appeared in the 29 April 2024 edition of Flint magazine.