News

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the wonderful fall weather we've been having.  We hope everyone is enjoying it, rain and all.  Scroll down to see what is happening for the month of October and beyond.

PSBA 10TH/Redux Annual Members' Exhibition:  

The 2021 annual members’ book arts exhibit has closed. It was memorably wonderful-rich with ideas, color and imagery. We on the exhibit team want to thank all who participated and all who came to see it. We needed this refreshment of vision that you all provided. Both artists and viewers received a big shot of energy from the event.  Thank you, everyone!

The Curitorial Team:

Sally Alger

Peter Newland

Pat Chupa

Rachel Watson

Science Stories: A Collaboration of Book Artists and Scientists is an exhibition running from October 14th 2021 to January 14th, 2022 at Collins Library on the University of Puget Sound Campus.  The Library remains open to the public Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visit the website to learn more about the artists and scientists featured in this unique collaborative exhibition: 

Introduction to Artist Book Structures:  There are still seven spaces available for this two day, introductory workshop instructed by Bonnie Thompson Norman on Saturday and Sunday, November 6-7, 10am-5pm.  Registration is required so click here for details and to register!

Tone Poems: An Exhibition of the  Work of Becky Frehse at the Helen S. Smith Gallery at Green River College.  The exhibition runs from Sept 20th to December 3rd.  Click on this link for more info and a virtual tour of the exhibition!

Paper Lantern with a Twist:  PSBA has a gift for all of its wonderful members. Gina Pisello will teach a FREE one hour Zoom workshop: Paper Lantern with a Twist on November 4, 2021, 4:00 PM on Zoom. You will learn to make a paper lantern with folds and twists that will light up the holiday season.  Look for registration details plus tools and materials list later in October.

Community Connections:  PSBA, along with Collins Library,  continues to support our community with a free book arts workshop in support of Tacoma Public Library's Tacoma Reads Program.   Check out this link and be quick to register as just a few seats remain.  And don't forget to check out PSBA member Carletta Carrington WIlson's exhibition at the Moore branch of TPL, click on this link!   

And last, but certainly not least,

Annual Member's Meeting:   Given the current situation with variants and uncertainty about the future, we will most probably have an online members meeting.  But we will fill it with fun and opportunities to interact and share,  Stay tuned!

Thank you! A big thank you to Belinda Hill for organizing our book exchange and to all the artists that participated in the event.  It was truly inspiring to see your creative work and many interpretations of LAYERS!   If you are interested in working on the next exchange, it is never too early to start planning.  Please email   jcarlin@pugetsound.edu to share your thoughts.  Also you can view the slide show of the 2003 Book Exchange here.

Exhibit Panel Discussion:  Have you signed up for the Panel Discussion and Live Chat with artists from this year’s exhibition?   Mark your calendar for September 23 from 6-8.  This is a chance to listen first hand to a number of this year’s artists in a great panel moderated by PSBA member Peter Newland.  This is also an opportunity to celebrate our great exhibition.  Register here: 

Leadership:  Several members have expressed interest in assisting the organization, and the call is still open to connect with jcarlin@pugetsound.edu.  Not only are we seeking a coordinator for the book exchange as mentioned above, but members for the 2022 exhibition ( Yes, we are already thinking of this!) as well as individuals that would like to offer or coordinate workshops or a zoom presentation.  

One Last Thing:  Along with all of the great resource materials, a new category has been added to the Artist Resources page on the Home tab: PSBA and Affiliated Book Arts Galleries:

• Wish You Were Here Collaborative Book Arts Project
• 2021 PSBA Book Exchange

As always, the PSBA board wishes all of its members the best!

Hi Everyone,

We trust everyone had a pleasant Labor Day weekend and have returned from outings, and get togethers with friends and family.  Scroll down to see what is happening this month in the PSBA!

Changes in Leadership:  ​As we shared in the last member's update, we are moving forward with some transitions in leadership.  We will be reaching out to members to help move the organization forward with planning and sustainability. 

Members' Exhibition:  Can it already be a month that the exhibit has been open?  Seems like yesterday the doors were opened and members have been coming in on a regular basis to see this wonderful exhibition.  It was well worth the wait!   Artists:  your work is outstanding the exhibition is a pleasure.   Please be sure to sign up for the panel discussion coming up soon!  Register here to take part in the discussion.  Also, the entire 2021 Members' Exhibition can now be viewed online by clicking on this link.

Just around the corner:  Science Stories:  Science Stories will be installed in mid October and there are a number of virtual programs planned.  PSBA has supported this exhibition curated by Lucia Harrison, Jane Carlin and Peter Wimberger.   Visit the web site to learn more about the artists and scientists featured in this unique collaborative exhibition:  https://blogs.pugetsound.edu/sciencestories/

PSBA Virtual Book Exchange:  Are you as excited as we are to see how members have interpreted the theme of this year's book exchange.  While we might not be able to meet in person, it will be a fascinating program.  Click here to register.

Community Connections:  Did you know PSBA is partnering with Tacoma Reads to support this years reading selection of Caste?  PSBA member Carletta Carrington Wilson will have a display of her work at a TOL Library and Gabby Cooksey and Taylor Cox will offer a free workshop on basic book arts!  Details here:   https://www.tacomalibrary.org/tacomareads/

Wish You Were Here:  The collaborative book and postcard project in which PSBA members collaborated with the San Diego Book Arts is now online thanks to the dedicated work by Cristina Hajosy from the New England Book Arts with support from Lorraine Crowder from the Bay Area Book Artists!  Click here to visit the exhibition!

New Feature on the PSBA Website:  We are now posting our monthly updates as blog posts on the website.  Go to the Home tab, on your menu bar and look for the  Monthly Updates tab.  Now you no longer have to worry about losing that monthly PSBA update email!

PSBA Update for late July/August

Dear Members,

Exhibit:  Can you believe it is almost August?  It is exciting to think many of you will be dropping off your books next week for our annual exhibition at Collins Library.   The curatorial team is working hard to put together virtual programs.  Since the University of Puget Sound will not be open to the public for the fall semester, we will have the opportunity to "book a visit" to the Library to see the exhibition.   Details will soon be shared, but any visitors to the Library will need to adhere to protocol established by the university.

DELIVERY
Delivery of work will take place at the Collins Library, 1500 North Warner, unit 1021, on Friday,  August 6,2021 between the hours of 10am and 12 noon.  Due to covid restrictions on the campus please bring your pieces to the loading dock on the East side of the Collins library.  We will meet you there to receive your work.   The loading dock access is around on the righthand side as you face the main entrance to the Library. If you care to use it there is also a visitors’ parking lot (#5) at 18th and Warner streets that is very near the loading dock.

MANDATORY INSURANCE FORMS!

The Collins Memorial Library requires that you complete and submit the online Loan Display Agreement by the date of dropoff. It can be accessed and completed at https://www2.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/collins-memorial-library/loan-display-agreement-form/

Finally…

We received a number of replies to our request about a chance to speak at the August 20th Zoom event. We are interested in knowing if anyone else would like an opportunity to speak briefly on the inspiration behind your creation. Please respond yes or no  by return email no later than August 1.

The number of positive responses will guide the format of our celebration.

Leadership:  Changes are on the Horizon:  Did you ever stop to think that many of our Board members have been leading the organization for over eleven years?  It is time to think about some transitions and we ask you to think about stepping up to take on a leadership role for our organization.   The benefits are so many - from lasting & permanent friendships, to connecting with artists locally and nationally, and being part of a team!   The Board meets once a month and we want to transition to a new President, Vice President, Program Manager and Treasurer within the next year.  We will mentor you in these roles and work with you to ensure you are comfortable and ready to move our organization forward for ten more years!  Contact dmgreenwood@harbornet.com or jcarlin@pugetsound.edu to learn more about opportunities.

Write253: If you didn't have a chance to join the presentation, be sure to check out the web site and be on the lookout for the recording when it is available.  Executive Director Michael Haeflinger is doing AMAZING work for our community and there is so much potential for collaboration! https://www.write253.com/​

Shereen LaPlantz - New digital collection:  The Collins Library is pleased to launch a new digital collection:  Shereen LaPlantz Book Structures Photographs collection.

https://library.artstor.org/#/collection/100197567.  This collection was developed by librarian Hilary Robbeloth and provides images to all the books in the Collins archives.  In addition, Shereen's husband David, has recently gifted several boxes of personal papers and manuscripts to the Library.  Exciting to have this important resource in our local community.

Open House at Bonnie Thompson Norman's Studio, August 28, 2021. Bonnie has generously opened her home and studio to us for our first in-person event. Beginning on August 1st, registration will be open to members and their guests. If you have registered and would like to bring a guest, you may add a guest to your registration. To read all the particulars and to register, click here.

PSBA Third Annual Book Exchange

There is still time to be part of PSBA's Third Annual Book Exchange. Images of your book must be sent to Belinda Hill by August 28, and the Zoom exchange event will be on September 11. Read the details and register here.