Annual Book Exchange
2026 Annual Book Exchange - Wabi Sabi
Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA) 2026 8th Annual Book Exchange is an opportunity to exchange your artist book with another artist. This year’s theme is “Wabi-sabi.” Definitions of the term vary, but Wikipedia describes it as a Japanese aesthetic that centers on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. In the arts, it often emphasises natural materials, simplicity, and a sense of authenticity and imperfection. For our Book Exchange, there are many possibilities with the theme, such as exploring concepts around the natural cycle of growth and decay; using materials that celebrate beautiful, rustic, or incomplete objects; or a piece that’s not only about impermanence but also uses materials that are themselves transitory. We encourage everyone to look up the different facets of Wabi-sabi online and see where the "rabbit hole" of research takes your design.
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 4th, 2026 (2–4 PM) at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Ingram Hall, 12149 8th Avenue Ct S, Parkland, WA 98444. Your name/book will be randomly paired with another participating artist, and in exchange you’ll receive a book from a randomly selected participating artist.
If you cannot be physically present at the Exchange but would like to participate, you are welcome to do so. Please note that if you are mailing your books, your books must arrive by October 1st and include a $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 20th.
Books from previous annual Exchanges have been amazing! For inspiration, see the links below to view images of the books from the past few years.
We hope you’ll feel motivated 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.
PSBA 2026 8th Annual Book Exchange Committee
LeeAnne Campos
Deborah Poe
Janet Reynolds
Denise Stephenson
BOOK EXCHANGE ARCHIVEWe are pleased to share images of the books entered into our Annual Book Exchanges. Click on the links below for each year. 2020 Book Exchange - Ten 2021 Book Exchange - Layers 2022 Book Exchange - Pathways 2023 Book Exchange - Secrets 2024 Book Exchange - Threads 2025 Book Exchange - Bridges |
Since 2019, PSBA has been sponsoring an annual book exchange. This popular member based program was established by PSBA member Bonnie Julien. Bonnie relocated to Bremerton, Washington in 2009 from Eureka, California where she was an active member of the North Redwoods Book Art Guild (NORBAG). NORBAG had a strong tradition of exchanges, beginning in 1995. The idea was simple. Participants were asked to make a book, bring or mail it to arrive before the workshop on the second Saturday of every month, and you would receive someone else’s book in a blind exchange. Themes were chosen for the whole year by the members and announced in the monthly newsletter. Building on the experiences of NORBAG, Bonnie suggested to the PSBA Board that we try a book exchange. The Board chose a theme, Pockets, and Bonnie offered to organize the event to be held in September 2019. We held the first exchange at Collins Library and approximately 20 members participated. SInce then, the event has grown in popularity and shows no signs of slowing down! |