We’re excited to share with you details of a major new exhibition of work from the People Powered Press in Salts Mill, open 11.00am – 4.00pm ALL WEEKENDS IN MAY.

The People Powered Press grew out of Split’s These Northern Types project, and was established as a new non-profit coming out of Covid. The Brico system was designed for the press by Oli Bentley, with its first use a collaboration with Anthony Burrill and Thomas Mayo five years ago.

This exhibition features a series of giant letterpress community murals in the beautiful roof space at Salts Mill — the first time we’ve been able to exhibit so many works together in such a large space — alongside related prints and photography.

The works feature collaborations with community groups from across Bradford and beyond, including Queer Saltaire, teenage participants in Born in Bradford'sAge of Wonderproject, People Poetry (Space2, Leeds), students from various schools and colleges, service users from Health Action Local Engagement in Bradford, members of Baildon, Shipley & Saltaire Men's Shed, and a group of women who have recently migrated to Bradford.

We’re also exhibiting the very first A—Z of Brico letters created by Split in collaboration with Anthony Burrill and Thomas Mayo. The display, spanning nearly 40m, is the first time this very special A—Z has been exhibited in public, five years after it was initially created, starting the People Powered Press on its journey to making artworks on a scale never before attempted with letterpress.

Alongside this is a complete set of letters and numerals designed and hand-printed by visitors to the exhibition.

We'd love it if you could come, and do let us know what you think on socials!

The PPP exists thanks to the support and hard work of many — some of you included. So to all of you who have attended a workshop, contributed to a collaboration, donated your time or money, dropped into the workshop or simply supported us from afar — thank you. 

Our thanks go to the Saltaire Inspired & Salts Mill teams for inviting us to launch this exhibition as part of the 2024 Saltaire Arts Trail, and to Bradford Council for their ongoing support. Our special thanks will always go to Ian Plant and all the team at JKN Oiltools (Batley), who designed and built the press.