Sep 16, 2020 Rare Books Digital Exhibition — Glimpse

The covers of a book enclose worlds constructed of text and image. To open a book is to expose the intimate details of story, experience and idea. The Book Arts Program at the J. Willard Marriott Library champions wide-ranging explorations of the book. A fully equipped studio enables bookbinders, printers, and book artists to utilize type, letterpress, photo engravings and bookbinding equipment as they combine traditional techniques with modern aesthetics and technology.

The Book Arts Program promotes involvement with the art of the book through community programming for local and national participants. National and local guest artists as well as staff instructors offer one-day and two-day workshops, and multi-week courses.

from Psalm 21: Anthropocene, Crane Giamo, 2014

In the past, topics of instruction included bookbinding, relief and intaglio printing, collage and image-making, paper decorating, papermaking, lettering and other techniques related to the artistic practice of bookmaking.

The Book Arts Program strives to keep these options available during the current need for physical distancing. In the spring of 2020, the Book Arts Program moved many of its workshops and courses online.

from Deal Me In, Mona, Karen Hanmer, 1999

The creative work in this exhibition represents the range of techniques, methods, and conceptual interests of the Book Arts Program’s 2016 instructors. Over the course of the calendar year, ten guest instructors and four staff instructors taught various techniques such as encaustics, letterpress printing, traditional Japanese woodcut printmaking, leather bindings, and alternative printing and photography.

A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supported the 2016 community workshops, some of which were offered at no cost to participants.

from Evidence, Marnie Powers-Torrey, 2000

Workshop guest instructors included Karen Hanmer, Keiji Shinohara, and Pamela Smith. Courses were taught by staff instructors Crane Giamo, Allison Milham, Marnie Powers-Torrey, and Emily Tipps.

The Rare Books Department is pleased to support the Book Arts Program with its significant historic, fine press, and artists’ books collections.

from Anything From Anywhere, Emily Tipps, 2009

Enjoy a virtual gallery stroll of Glimpse, based on a physical exhibition announcing the exciting  2016 program offerings. And visit the Book Arts Program website for even better things to come.