"We are a community of creative individuals who love sharing our passion for the book arts. We'd love to have you join us in a workshop, at our exhibits, at our local events, for one of our lunchtime conversations with artists, or just enjoy our work online. We are always looking for others to share their knowledge and books with our group, as well learn together."
Belinda Hill, President
PSBA Members in a workshop | Our Story Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA) is a nonprofit organization composed of members ranging from those new to the book arts to professionals, to create a spirit of community among those who love and create books. PSBA was established in 2010, and over the last 15 years, it has grown from a small local grassroots organization based in Tacoma, Washington, to a vibrant and active regional organization. The organization strives to increase educational opportunities for individuals and organizations, fostering excellence through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, publications, etc. The organization sponsors a yearly members’ exhibition, lectures, salons, and a variety of workshops where you can explore, create, and share with others. In 2013, PSBA received the City of Tacoma AMOCAT Award for outstanding community outreach. The organization celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020 and is looking forward to the future. PSBA offers a variety of programs at all levels. We support mini-workshops that are generally 3-4 hours long on a wide range |
In 2010, Jane Carlin, Director of the Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound, invited community members to join in a conversation about establishing a local book arts organization. Jane’s long-time interest in the book arts and art librarianship provided her with a strong desire to build a collection at the Library as well as to connect book artists in the region. Jane’s interest built on the existing foundation of local artists in the Tacoma community working with book arts including Rochelle Monner and Lynne Farren, supported by bookseller Sweet Pea Flannagan of King’s Books, also located in Tacoma.
An early goal of the organization was to increase awareness of the book arts and to create a spirit of community among those engaged with the book arts. From its beginnings, PSBA is an organization committed to increasing educational opportunities as well as fostering excellence through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and publications.
Throughout the summer and fall of 2010, the founders group worked together to formulate a mission statement, bylaws, duties of officers, articles of incorporation, and a communication plan to encourage membership. The Puget Sound Book Artists began bringing its vision and mission to fruition.
Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound served as the unofficial home of PSBA during the years Carlin was Library Director. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to hold exhibits, workshops and lectures at the Library and to witness the growth of the artists’ book collection.
In 2013, the organization was honored by the City of Tacoma with an AMOCAT Award for Community Outreach by an organization. The citation states:
“The City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission recognize Puget Sound Book Artists for its vision, dedication, and action in creating a lively arts community in Tacoma.” —Marilyn Strickland, Mayor, City of Tacoma
The combined skills of the founders and members in organizing, communicating, teaching, and artistic visioning has resulted in a lively, energetic, and compelling schedule of workshops, lectures, annual meetings, and the realization of a very successful Annual Members’ Exhibition.
The exhibit has grown in popularity and submissions over the last decade. The exhibition is organized by a volunteer member curatorial team. This approach not only allows for the continuity of knowledge of the process through returning curators, but provides our members with the opportunity to curate an exhibition. Members of PSBA who want to add that capability to their skills as artists thus get the opportunity of learning how to solicit works, organize the physical layout, shepherd the process through photography sessions, publish the catalog, facilitate publicity, and devise the themes for the presenters.
Programs and workshops have always been an important part of PSBA.
The early activities included “play dates” when members would get together on a regular basis to work with structures and mixed media techniques. These grew to include periodic “salons” focused on sharing ongoing work and ideas and new techniques in book arts.
As our membership grew, a program structure was devised to allow for more complex multi-day workshops led by members themselves and also bringing in recognized book artists from outside the area. Also, regional meet-ups offer members a chance to gain experience teaching book arts to one another, thus sharing inspiration and knowledge.
Alliances with academic institutions and allied book arts groups include the University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, University of West England/Bristol, Seattle Book Arts Guild, San Diego Book Arts Group. In addition, private and public institutions such as the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 23 Sandy Gallery, King’s Books, and booksellers Vamp & Tramp have created valuable connections and opportunities for the membership to bring their work to a larger audience.
PSBA members also benefit by the expansion, cataloging, and development of the book arts collection at the Collins Memorial Library. Of particular importance is the gift of founding member Rochelle Monner’s bequest of the collection of structures and allied documents by Shereen LaPlantz. PSBA honored Rochelle and Ken Monner’s gift in a 2016 reception at the Library. The gift of more than 100 artists' books showcases the myriad of book structures developed by LaPlantz, a personal friend of Rochelle. Rochelle had a significant impact in our community as a supporter of artists' books, a collector, a mentor and also as an amazing teacher. Rochelle passed away in 2019 and PSBA recognizes her important contributions. You can learn more about this unique collection here: https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv935881
Since our formation, we continue to grow and embrace new programs and services through our website, Face Book, YouTube, and Zoom platforms. During the pandemic, PSBA began offering monthly Lunchtime Conversations via ZOOM, connecting with book artists across the globe. While ZOOM offerings continue to expand our reach, in-person meet-ups and events remain a hallmark of our organization.
As we enter our 15th year, we look forward to our organization continuing to grow and prosper and to promote new activities, diverse voices, energy, and creative vision as we welcome a new generation of book artists into Puget Sound Book Artists.
We are all richer as book artists thanks to each and every member. Kudos, Puget Sound Book Artists! We couldn’t have done it without you. Whether we are old or young, beginners or masters of book arts, from a growing diversity of life experience there is a place for everyone in this wonderful organization. Long may it flourish! In 2010 our organization had 12 founding members and today our membership totals over 200!
Founding Officers:
Rochelle Monner, President
Jane Carlin, Vice President
Deborah Greenwood, Secretary
Lucia Harrison, Treasurer
Past Presidents:
Rochelle Monner: 2010 - 2013
Mark Hoppmann: 2014 - 2017
Deborah Greenwood: 2018 - 2021
Sally Alger: 2022 -2024
Belinda Hill: 2025 -
AMOCAT Award 2013 | Our Board The PSBA Board is comprised of several individuals who represent a wide range of talents associated with the book arts. Meet the Board: Belinda Hill: President Jane Carlin: Vice President/Communications Committee Chair Debbi Commodore: Secretary Fran McReynolds: Treasurer Lucia Harrison: Outreach Committee Chair Sally Alger: Programs Chair MalPina Chan: Facebook Manager Rachel Watson: Web Manager/Social Media Diane Miller: Board Director Jessie Wing: Board Director |