In celebration of its 50th year of operation, selected works from The Third & Elm Press were on view in the Van Alen Gallery through Sunday, February 21, 2016. The print shop, established by Alexander and Ilse Buchert Nesbitt in 1965, is located in the historic Point section of Newport, where it produces a variety of original woodcuts, cards, and limited-edition books using handset type, an 1830 Acorn hand press and a 1897 Golding platen press.
Ilse Nesbitt was born in Frankfurt/Main Germany and raised in Japan. She came to the United States 55 years ago and worked in the typography studio at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she met Alexander. Their graphic achievements, created both independently and collaboratively, have been exhibited widely here and abroad. Longtime members will remember the 1990 Redwood exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Third & Elm Press.
