Hello PSBA members! Happy Fall!
Greetings from the PSBA President!
Dear Friends,
The year isn't over and there are still two workshops, several luncheon conversations, another PSBA Q&A, and our special members gift Zoom event in December, but the Board of Directors is busy working on events for 2026. Our newsletters are getting longer because there are so many things we think you'll want to know about.
Take a few minutes to read the newsletter and check the website for new articles and events.
PSBA also has a new Board member, Judy Cook! After retiring from her professional life as a computer programmer, Judy pursued studies in art history and printmaking at Evergreen State College. There she discovered book arts. Judy is a storyteller at heart. She uses book art form as a visual means of storytelling. Using printmaking and multimedia art, she tells her stories in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Her works include pop-ups, papier-mache sculptures, fabric, and various forms of folded books.
Belinda Hill
PSBA Members’ Spotlight
The PSBA Spotlight Artist for October is Anna Moore,
Join us in getting to know Anna Moore, one of the 2025 Exhibition Award winners for her book Retreat. The Spotlight interview is somewhat of an interplanetary journey because of Anna's interest in outer space.
She is passionate about her work and I think you’ll see that as she describes her inspiration, her creative process and the sense of adventure she brings to book arts.
Some of her work aims to make a subject graspable or understandable. And then there’s another side where she honors the unknown—an astronaut seeking out the creative process. Read the full interview 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! Videos of the past presentations of Allie Alvis and Pietro Accardi are now available via PSBA Media on YouTube 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 Updates!
Daniel J. Evans Library at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA: September 29 – December 12, 2025. More information will be available in the fall.
Save the Date: Open Case Events at The Evergreen State College Library
The Annual PSBA Members' Exhibition Field Work arrived at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. The exhibition will be open from September 29-December 12, during library open hours. Save the date for our two open case events on:
- Thursday, October 30 from 3pm-5pm (in person) and
- Sunday, November 2 from Noon-2pm (hybrid).
Artists in the exhibition will receive an additional email with instructions on how to present at these events. More information will be added to the PSBA website soon.
2025 Annual Members Exhibition Award Winner Spotlight
2025 Exhibition Field Work Award Winner for Emotional Resonance— Jan Dove for her moving book Ghost Tree.
This award goes to the piece that moves you the most—and Ghost Tree certainly does. Through vivid visuals, tactile details, and poetic form, Jan captures the grief and reflection of witnessing a clear-cut forest in timber country. An extraordinary 11 feet long, this book is both intimate and monumental.
An excerpt from the book:
- On advice from rain there followed
- Silent thrusting green
- Insistent and rooted wisdom
- The nursing of the Fireweed
- The promise to care for each other
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:
Here are some starting points to inspire your work:
- A book of 15 pages
- A reflection on your evolution as a book artist
- A book inspired by the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- The number 15 symbolizing harmony, balance, and energy
- Cultural reflections on turning 15, such as the quinceañera
- Traditional 15th anniversary symbols: crystal, rubies, and roses, representing clarity, passion, and wisdom
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 carlinjane@gmail.com.
2026 Exhibition Committee
Jane Carlin
Deborah Greenwood
Lucia Harrison
Mark Hoppmann
Gina Pisello
October Workshop and Events
October 11 Workshop: Art of Eco-Dyeing
We are happy to announce this workshop on Eco dying taught by Lisa Tsang. It will be held in Lisa’s spacious and well equipped, ground level studio at the SCH Warehouse Space: 18080 NE 68th St, B160, Redmond, WA 98052.
All tools and materials, except papers to dye, will be provided. $60 for PSBA members and $95 for nonmembers.
To register, click here.
PSBA Seventh Annual Book Exchange – Bridges: October 5
**Location Change for Exchange: Pacific Lutheran University, Ingram Hall **
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.
This year the Collins Library at UPS is unable to host the 2025 7th Annual Book Exchange. Our new location is at Pacific Lutheran University, Ingram Hall. PLU's Ingram Hall is home to the University Gallery, the College of Professional Studies Dean's office and the Department of Communication, Media and Design Arts. A big thanks to Taylor Cox for making this possible!
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 5, 2–4 PM, at our new location, Pacific Lutheran University, Ingram Hall, 12149 8th Ave Ct S, Parkland, WA 98444, Room 128. Drawing one name for each book will result in random exchanges.
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.
Olympia Meetup
The Olympia Meetup is scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 1 pm in the Olympia Public Library meeting room. Please join us and bring some art or writing to share. Contact Ann Storey aelizabeth.storey@gmail.com if you have questions.
Pierce County Meetup
The Pierce County Meet Up will be October 8 at the University Place Public Library from 6pm to 8pm. Questions? Email Lucia Harrison at luciaharrison49@gmail.com.
Member News
Christie Houston: The Fidalgo Arts Retreat invites you to “Exploring Creating Zines This Fall!” classes will be held October 12, 19, 26, and November 2.
Class information and sign up can be found at https://fidalgoartsretreat.com/.
For those traveling out of their area, there is an available small Airbnb (at a discount $50 per day/maximum 2 people). View the Airbnb at https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings/editor/49630557/details/photo-tour.
Questions? Contact Christie Houston, Email: okeffe@gotsky.com, Phone: 1-360-899-8210.
Janet Reynolds: “I'm excited to share that my artist book "Frenzy of Feathers" has been accepted to the Bound and Unbound VIII exhibition at the University of South Dakota. It will be on view from August 25, 2025 - January 5, 2026. The book is created using a repurposed book as the vessel for the tunnel book created from hand cut images of birds from a Birds of North America discarded book.”
Catherine Alice Michaelis: PSBA congratulates Catherine for her stellar work as the Curator of Artists' Books at BIMA Museum. During her tenure at BIMA, Catherine curated a number of major exhibitions, established new programs, and helped create a flourishing community of book arts. Catherine has stepped down from the position and will be focusing on her own artwork.
Cynthia Sears: Book Club of Washington recognized Cynthia with the Emory Award for a Washingtonian who made a significant contribution to the culture of the book. Many PSBA members were in attendance at the presentation on September 21 and Jenny WIlkson, Jodee Fenton and Catherine shared remarks about Cynthia's impact on the book arts.
Mare Blocker has an exhibit opening at the Sherry Grover Gallery October 3 that will go through February 15, 2026. An artist’s talk and movie premier will take place October 19. Visit https://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/storytime-with-mare-artists-books-from-the-odditorium/ for more information.
Other Book Arts Events
New Exhibit at University of Washington George M. Beckmann Reading Room
The new exhibit, “From Brush to Type – The Evolution of Bookmaking in East Asia,” is on display in TEAL 3F George M. Beckmann Reading Room starting September 24. This exhibit highlights rare works from the Tateuchi East Asia Library, University of Washington Special Collections, showcasing how innovations in papermaking, printing, and design across East Asia transformed the form of books and the cultures they shaped. A workshop with special collection items on display will be held on October 15 at TEAL 2M Seminar Room. Register at the event link here.
Fall Book Fair November 9
This book event on the Olympic Peninsula will have small press publishing, zines, and artists books.
Location: Finnriver Farm & Cidery, 124 Center Road, Chimacum, WA.
When: Sunday, November 9, Noon-5pm.
Additional information is forthcoming and will be here.
Call for Member News
Are you planning a special event or workshop? Have you recently presented your work at a Conference or event? Is your work included in an exhibition?
If you would like to share information, please send your submission to Julia.stringfellow@cwu.edu by Sundy, October 26. Subject line should read: PSBA Member News. The November newsletter will be sent out to the membership early that month.
