Hello PSBA members! Hope your summer is going well!
Greetings from the PSBA President!
Dear Friends,
The summer is flying by and by the time you read this our Members’ Exhibition will be leaving Tacoma and will open in Olympia in the fall. There will be a picnic in Tacoma at the end of August where we hope to meet with many members. But, many of you don't live in the Puget Sound area and we don't want you to feel left out. So I'm going to host an online PSBA Q&A the first Saturday in September where you can join me on Zoom and tell me about yourself and what you are working on and ask questions about PSBA and our work. The registration link is on the calendar and we'll send an email in August.
- What do you want to know about PSBA?
- What do you want to learn about Book Arts?
- Who would you like to take a workshop from?
- Would you like to teach a workshop or mini-workshop?
- What makes you joyful in your work with book arts?
Belinda Hill
SAVE THE DATE for the PSBA Members' Summer Potluck Picnic!
August 30, 11AM - 2PM at Wapato Park in Tacoma. Look for the announcement with more details in your email and be sure to sign up--the event is free.
This will be a time to share a meal and socialize with your PSBA friends old and new. Bring a potluck dish to share (and serving utensil).
PSBA will provide drinks, paper cups, plates and plastic ware.
Registration and further information available here.
PSBA Members’ Spotlight
The PSBA Spotlight Artist for August is Mark Hoppmann. Mark graciously invited me to his studio which was the perfect place to be introduced to him and his artistic journey. The studio is his own TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) like a Dr. Who time machine or space craft; the exterior is small, but once you enter, whole worlds open up. Stop by and visit during the next Tacoma Studio Tour.
About book arts, Mark says his intent is "...to design illustrated books for those with 'with satiable curiosity.'"
You'll find the full interview on the PSBA website starting August 1 here.
Previous spotlight profiles are here.
If you have a suggestion for a PSBA spotlight, contact Jane Carlin (carlinjane@gmail.com) or Diane Miller (dianemiller1914@gmail.com).
ZOOM Lunchtime Conversations
We are pleased to resume our Lunchtime Conversations. We have two presentations coming up soon!
August 27: Noon-1. Allie Alvis returns for a second talk, focusing on color and the historic holdings of the Winterthur Library. Register here.
September 4: Noon-1. Pietro Accardi master paper marbler will share his insights into his amazing artistry. Register here.
October 23: Noon-1. Karen Kunc, a prolific book artist, will share insights into her artistic journey, Register here.
November 13: Noon-1. Randi Parkhurst invites us into her Olympia studio to share her colorful works on paper, including eco prints, gel prints and more.
Register here.
2025 Annual Members Exhibition Update!
The Collins Library at the University of Puget Sound: August 3, 2025 is the last day of the Collins phase of the exhibition. Books going to Evergreen will be packed and stored at Evergreen. Books not going to Evergreen will either be mailed or Debbi Commodore will reach out to you to coordinate pickup arrangements.
Daniel J. Evans Library at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA:September 29 – December 12, 2025. More information will be available in the fall.
Field Work Community Engagement: We’d like to see how our members respond to the community engagement project about books and book arts. The prompt cards are available at the Collins Library and will be available at Evergreen. You can mail your response or drop off the card at the library. Members of the curatorial team will bind the cards into a book as a thank you for the libraries’ support.
Historical Context of the PSBA Exhibitions: Debbi Commodore, chair of the 2025 Exhibition, noted how the annual PSBA Exhibition has evolved since its inception in 2011. Since then, 73 artists have participated in the annual exhibition, with many returning year after year—including four who have exhibited every single year.
2025 Participation:
- 57 artists had work in the exhibition—the highest number to date, up from 27 artists in 2011.
- 15 artists participated for the first time
- books were submitted from members in nine states, with 30% coming from outside Washington.
Since 2011, the annual exhibition has showcased a total of 730 books.
2025 Annual Members Exhibition Award Winner Spotlight
This month we highlight Gabby Cooksey, Winner of the Thoughtful Use of Traditional Book Form Award for her beautiful Tarot for the Misguided.
This award celebrates books that masterfully use classic forms to tell their story. Gabby ’s work includes two Bradel-bound books, sewn on hinges, all tucked inside a slipcase with a separate box for tarot cards.
Time ’s a tricky thing when digging into tarot ’s origins—mixing truths, tall tales, and legends passed down through the years. Gabby hopes her work sparks your own journey into tarot, whether it ’s for learning, art appreciation, or getting to know the animals on the cards. A brilliant blend of craft, tradition, and truly unique imagination.
2026 Annual Members’ Exhibition: Celebrating 15 Years of Creativity and Community!
The 2026 Annual Members’ Exhibition marks a major milestone—our 15th year! The Exhibition Committee is already hard at work preparing for this special event, and we are deeply grateful to the 2025 Committee for their exceptional documentation and organization. Your efforts have made the path ahead smoother—Thank you!
Theme: “15”
The theme for 2026 is all about celebration. We invite members to creatively explore the number 15 in all its forms—as a reflection on the past, a celebration of accomplishments, and a vision for the future. Since our founding, we’ve grown together as book artists, fostering a vibrant, supportive community. Let’s honor that journey.
Key Date: March 15, 2026
Please note: the submission deadline will be earlier this year—March 15th, 2026—giving you nine months to create work that captures the spirit of “15.”
Creative Prompts for Inspiration:
Prospectus Coming Soon
The official prospectus will be released in the coming months with full details. Please note that books submitted that do not reflect the above theme are welcome in the exhibition.
Questions?
Please email Jane Carlin after July 15, 2025, at carlin.jane@gmail.com,
2026 Exhibition Committee
Jane Carlin
Deborah Greenwood
Lucia Harrison
Mark Hoppmann
Gina Pisello
Upcoming Events
Panel Book Structure Workshop October 25-26
At the 2024 PSBA Book Exchange, a piece we saw was a charming little structure that involved four small books folded into a center container. When we
asked if anyone at the meeting would sign up for a workshop to learn this structure, many hands were raised. Elsi Vassdal Ellis will be coming to teach us how to create the Panel Book Structure this year. It will be a 2-day event October 25-26. Students will learn many basic book arts skills as well as basic decorative box making, and will go home with their own version of this wonderful structure. All skill levels are welcome. Event information and registration will be available soon on the PSBA calendar.
PSBA Seventh Annual Book Exchange - Bridges
The 7th Annual PSBA Book Exchange is an opportunity to exchange your artist book with another artist. This year’s theme is “Bridges.” There are many possibilities with the theme — physical bridges, such as viaducts or overpasses; paths from one place to another; relationships between people; or joining two objects or ideas together.
For those who are new to the Book Exchange, the rules are simple. Create a book using the theme as a guide and join us for the Exchange at the in-person event on October 5th, 2025 (2–4 PM) at Collins Library, University of Puget Sound, McCormick Room #303 on the third floor. Drawing one name for each book will result in random exchanges.
If you cannot be physically present at the Exchange but would like to participate, you are very welcome to do so. Books being mailed need to arrive by October 1st. Please include $10 (check made payable to PSBA) to offset the shipping costs of the book that will be mailed to you after the Exchange.
Send your book and check to:
LeeAnne Campos
4001 S Pine St
Unit 111163
Tacoma WA 98411
Complete the online registration form by September 21st.
Please click this link: https://psba.formstack.com/forms/annual_book_exchange_2025
Books from previous annual Exchanges have been amazing! For inspiration, visit the PSBA website to view images of the books from the past few years.
We hope you’ll feel inspired to join in. It’s inspirational to see the books created with the theme, and you will get to add a fabulous new book to your collection!
Questions? Contact LeeAnneCampos@icloud.com.
2025 7th Annual Book Exchange Committee
Denise Stephenson
Janet Reynolds
Deborah Poe
LeeAnne Campos
Pierce County Meetups this Summer
Wednesday August 13 from 6:15pm-8pm at the University Place Pierce County Public Library meeting room. Bring something book arts related to share. All are welcome!
Questions? Email Lucia Harrison at luciaharrison49@gmail.com.
Member News
Gina Pisello has a display of artists' books and paper sculptures at the Bainbridge Island Public Library for the month of August. If you stop by, it is right at the entrance of the Library.
Marilyn Stablein, collagist, book artist and mail art aficionado contributed a collaged art postcard that was included in Postcards to the Future, an international outdoor POSTCARD EXHIBIT July 4-6, at Don Davis Park gazebo, in Newport, Oregon. The exhibition was sponsored by the Coastal Arts Guild, on the Central Oregon Coast. To view the exhibition online visit their online gallery, Postcards to the Future.
Sincerely,
Your PSBA Board
Meet the Board members on the Contact Us webpage.
