VT Book Arts Guild “MailB.A.G.” August 2010
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts, located to the right of City Hall on Church Street in Burlington, VT.
Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.
$5 voluntary contribution to Burlington City Arts for their education programs. (Remember, if you write a check, it can be evidence for a tax deductible contribution.)
Program: Small Books, Small Wonders, presented by Liz Kappel and Nancy Stone
In April/May of 2011, B.A.G. will have an exhibit at the lovely Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, Vermont. “Gallery Gal” Elizabeth Rideout will provide the specific details at our meeting so you’ll have the whole winter to work on your small books.
You’ll note that we have created a theme this year, since Peter and Donna Thomas are giving a talk at Special Collections August 27th and a workshop on small books on the 28th. September’s meeting reinforces this theme with two hands-on projects led by B.A.G. members.
Liz Kappel will be sharing some of her delightful, hand-made small books and members will create a small fabric book that can be worn as a necklace. Liz will cut the fabric for the books and have extra if needed.
Nancy Stone will lead a hands-on activity involving graph paper, origami/maze books, and mini-containers. She will also share some of the mini-books created by her students in the Community College of VT book arts class.
Supplies to bring:
- Bonefolder
- Scissors
- Needles
- Thread
- Pencil
- Medium size cutting mat
- Glue (fabric or craft)
- Glue stick
- Fabric for binding
- Beads to embellish
- Mini-container sized 2″ to 2.5″ if you have it (matchbox, pill box, slide box, etc.)
Upcoming B.A.G. Events
*** Peter and Donna Thomas lecture: The Literary Book as a Work of Art
Since 1976, Peter and Donna Thomas have worked collaboratively and individually to create books. They are currently touring the country in a gypsy wagon, stopping to give workshops and lectures. When they reach Vermont, Peter will give a lecture at UVM on August 27 and he and Donna will teach a one-day workshop for the Book Arts Guild of Vermont on August 28 in Williston.
“We live in exciting times,” Thomas says. “Because of the personal computer the book has been set free from servitude to information…free to become an aesthetic object, a work of art.” In his lecture, Peter Thomas will address such questions as: What is a book? What is an artists’ book? What are the aesthetic attributes of an artists’ book? What is the history of the artists’ book? Where does one find one? How does one look at one as a work of art? He will talk from the context of his own work, using books that he and Donna have made as examples. He will also sing a song or two on his ukulele book.
Under the previous imprint of The Good Book Press, and the current imprint, Peter and Donna Thomas: Santa Cruz, their books have been shown in individual and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, and have been purchased for collections around the world, including the University of Vermont.
Date: Friday August 28, 2010
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Special Collections Reading Room at Bailey/Howe Library
University of Vermont, 538 Main Street, Burlington, VT
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information about the lecture, call 802-656-1493 or Email uvmsc[at]uvm[dot]edu.
Reflections on August meeting at Special Collections
Prudence Doherty laid out a banquet of large and small artists’ books across several tables at our most recent B.A.G. visit to UVM Special Collections. The eighteen B.A.G. members present could hardly restrain themselves while introductory comments were made.
During the two hours of exploring the wondrous works, people commented that they were inspired and sometimes intimidated by the exquisite craftsmanship. One person determined to stop making blank books and get into artistic content. Another realized the power that art has when it makes us aware of harsh topics. The scale of the book did not determine this power as some big messages were contained between small covers.
Thanks to Prudence for her enthusiasm and to the Program Committee for collaborating with her to make this a new tradition. We’ll plan to return next summer. With 1,000 – 2,000 artists’ books in the collection, we keep discovering new favorites!
You can view images from the visit on the B.A.G. blog.
Reflections on The Amazing Dremel workshop with Jill Timm
Jill Timm brought The Amazing Dremel to an eager full house at Studio Place Arts earlier this summer. Everyone had a fabulous time. We were also treated to a showing of Jill’s own artist books – she generously shared her process and methods with the group.
Jill has indicated that she’s willing to return to VT to teach the course again – please let us know if this is something you’d like us to pursue. The B.A.G. Board is committed to bringing high-quality book arts instructors to Vermont.
You can view images from the workshop on the B.A.G. blog.
Member News
*** Nancy Stone is teaching the upcoming Introduction to Book Arts through the Community College of Vermont. Nancy says that it’s a fun class and you can audit the class it if there are openings (you don’t need to do the papers required of CCV registered students).
Click here to access online registration, which closes on August 27th.
*** Linda Lembke is teaching two upcoming classes at the Garage Annex School: Chapbook Bindings for Writers and Exploring Paper. Many B.A.G. members have taken classes with Linda and have loved the experience. Both classes are great for the beginner. You can register for classes online or download the registration form.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching The Recycled Accordion Book at Studio Place Arts on October 19, 2010. In the workshop, you’ll create an accordion book using recycled papers, books, and other found materials. To register, contact SPA via phone (802)479-7069 or Email.
Book Arts News:
*** B.A.G. member Linda Lembke encourages you to check out the website of the 23 Sandy Gallery. The gallery, owned by Laura Russell, presents “local and national artists working in contemporary book arts, painting, photography and printmaking.”
Of particular interest are two blog articles:
Linda found the articles “much less technical than one usually finds in photography guidelines.”
You can connect with the 23 Sandy Gallery in the following ways:
*** Langdell Paper has been sold. Sadly, the mill will no longer operate in Vermont – Maple Street Paper Company has moved the mill to Michigan.
B.A.G. member Elissa Campbell received a letter from the new owners, Whitney Korstange and Hilary Smith, dated August 1st (read the full letter):
Maple Street Paper Co. has taken over the production, rights and sales of the Langdell Paper repertoire. Along with these papers, Maple Street Paper Co. plans on developing new lines of paper that will compliment the existing lines.
Orders are now being accepted, but with delayed shipping. You can reach the owners via Email or by phone: (231) 924-4577
Book Arts Opportunities:
*** The Friends of Dard Hunter, hand papermakers, invites you to their Annual Meeting October 18-24, 2010 at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee. This year we have added three days of classes before our conference. Please visit our website for the complete listing of workshops, presenters, and demonstrations.
Of particular interest to book artists are these classes:
- Randy Arnold, a third generation woodworker, will send his students home with three wonderful bookmaking tools: a bone folder that conforms to your hand; a simple nipping press; and a punching cradle.
- Jim Croft will teach tool making using bone and antler to make bonefolders, clasps, and buttons, and clasps for books.
- We are honored to have Tim Barrett, who was the first president of the Friends of Dard Hunter, come and talk at our conference. Tim Barrett got the McArthur Genius award in 2009 for his work making conservation papers.
Scholarships are available (deadline – 9/15) for the conference. To register, download the registration form.
- Book Arts Guild of VT chat room: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookArtsGuildVT
- Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com
- Book Arts Guild of VT Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Book-Arts-Guild-of-Vermont/119646168072994
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