EUGENE–Author Kim Stafford will read from the latest limited-edition publication of Knight Library Press, "Oregon Pilgrimage in Green, a forest journal for my brother," at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14, in the Browsing Room of the Knight Library, 1501 Kincaid St. at the University of Oregon.

"Oregon Pilgrimage in Green" is a journal of healing through place, describing the intimate journey of Stafford and his brother through the forests, rivers and mountains of Oregon. Accompanied by a series of engravings by Portland artist Margot Voorhies Thompson, the book was designed, printed and bound by hand by Sandy Tilcock at the Knight Library Press studio. Bound in accordion format, the book stretches to a length of 10 feet, the text and artwork cascading forth in a tumult of words and imagery.

This original work of art and literature was created through the collaboration of Stafford, Voorhies Thompson and Tilcock. The trio of artists worked closely for nearly two years on the idea, from its original inspiration to the finished work.

"Collaboration is hard; almost by definition artists are individuals with a singular vision," says Tilcock. "The challenge was for the three of us to check our egos–like shoes at the front door–and merge our energies and talents in order to realize the collective vision of ‘Oregon Pilgrimage in Green.’

"Because of the trust and respect that developed between us," Tilcock adds, "we were able to give each other the courage to go deeper into the work. The result is a book that is seamless, one in which no single element dominates the other."

Son of prominent Northwest writer William Stafford, Kim Stafford is a graduate of the University of Oregon, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1971, his master’s degree in 1973 and his Ph.D. in 1979. He is an award-winning author and director of the Northwest Writing Institute at Lewis and Clark College in Portland.

The Knight Library Press is a center of book arts education, promoting awareness of the book as a work of art, as well as a vessel for ideas. The press fosters respect and appreciation for the heritage of typographic books through fine press publishing.

One hundred signed and numbered copies of "Oregon Pilgrimage in Green, a forest journal for my brother" are available for sale at $365 each.

To order a copy and for more information about the Knight Library Press and its publications, contact Sandy Tilcock, Knight Library Press director, (541) 465-9079.

For more information on the Stafford reading, contact Lisa Manotti in the Office of the Librarian at the Knight Library, (541) 346-1823.

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