The Lapis Press and the Sam Francis Foundation present: From the Archive: rare vintage prints by contemporary artists

I want to bring people together who are known in one world but not in another and introduce subjects that are pertinent to what we want to do at the press. I think that texts will develop out of new relationships between artists, writers, poets and philosophers. If we can penetrate the barriers, we will have something very interesting. – Sam Francis

The Lapis Press was founded in 1984 by artist Sam Francis with the goal of producing unusual and timely texts in visually compelling formats. Initially, The Lapis Press was focused on building an audience for its unconventional books, which typically crossbred art, poetry, philosophy, and psychology.

After his death, The Lapis Press honored Francis’s vision of collaboration and artistic hybrids by producing print editions with contemporary artists like Rebecca Horn, Guillermo Kuitca, Ed Moses, Gabriel Orozco, Giuseppe Penone and Christopher Wool. In anticipation of Sam Francis's 100th birthday in 2023, The Lapis Press and the Sam Francis Foundation have partnered to bring these rare intaglio prints and books to the public with this viewing room. Proceeds from the sales of these works will benefit the foundation's ongoing support of projects building on Sam Francis’s creative legacy.

The Sam Francis Foundation is dedicated to the transformative power of art as a force for change. Their stated mission is to further a greater understanding of Sam Francis’s art and ideas through a broad array of programs and activities designed to educate, inform, and catalyze new thinking about the importance of creativity in society.