Newsbites

​​​​​​​FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Days are getting longer, and we have some great holidays to celebrate this month: Valentine’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Groundhog Day, Black History Month, Canned Food Month, and National Freedom Day. The Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, National Get Up Day (mmm wonder what all the other days of the year are), National Pizza Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day, and National Send a Card to a Friend Day,

So lots of opportunities to celebrate! -- Jodee Fenton 
 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: 

FEB 21, 2026. Saturday. 11 am Pacific Time | Timothy Ely 
A very special presentation by Tim Ely, one of the most interesting and accomplished book artists and design binders in the world. Read more about Ely and his work here.

Please visit the Workshops & Events Page for more information and to register. 
REGISTRATION CLOSES Feb 20th at noon. It will be recorded, and that link will be sent out to everyone who registers.

​

Please visit the OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH below for additional exhibitions, happenings, and celebrations. 

 

PAST EVENTS:

On January 13, we hosted Annie Ujifusa from the Boston Public Library Conservation Department to talk about her journey (thus far!) in book arts and conservation. Jodee met with Annie while in Boston a couple of days before the program and completely enjoyed visiting Annie and BPL. Annie’s talk can be accessed here. Annie is a graduate of the North Bennett Street School.

 

Then, on January 20, the NW Chapter co-hosted a panel discussion on Best Practices: Writing Artists’ Statements with Johanna Drucker, Erin Zona, and Alicia Bailey. The Book Arts Guild and the Puget Sound Book Artists organizations were partners in this presentation. This collaboration among these organizations marks a significant time in the development of book arts in our region. With our strong memberships and terrific volunteers, we hope to offer high-quality programs annually to strengthen book arts and support the development of emerging artists and conservators.

​

NEW CHAPTER MEMBERS: 

Welcome, new members Valerie Rollins, Molly Sacamono, and Katarina Stiller! We are thrilled to introduce you to the NW Chapter membership. 

 

BOARD ELECTIONS: 

Elections for the new upcoming Chapter Board will be held in May 2026. 

Jodee Fenton will step down from the Chair position at the end of the current term (June 2026).
“I will be spending more time in my studio, painting, binding, writing, and with family, but I am happy to volunteer wherever I am needed going forward. And I am committed to making sure the transition is smooth (and fun!) for new leadership.” she writes. 

 

Paula Jull will also be stepping down from her post as Event Coordinator.
Paula writes "I have enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction of bringing events and practitioners to our chapter members. We've had some great guests and presentations. Now it is time for me to focus on my own practice as an artist and my family. I thank you all for attending our programs with interest and generosity. I look forward to helping my successor create even more entertaining and informative events. This is a very talented and diverse group of members in the Northwest Chapter. Let's celebrate that together!

 

OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH:
Celebration of Sandra Koupra, Librarian/Curator for Rare Books and Artists Books at the University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections. The Univeristy of Washinton will be hosting a party for her on February 3rd. She has had a remarkable career filled with many notable artists’ presentations, acquisitions and advocacy for the book arts. Visit https://lib.uw.edu/event/?eventid=195220511 for more information. 

​

“Draw Me Ishmael: the Book Arts of Moby Dick” is an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA that presents the illustrations of Herman Melville’s iconic novel, Moby Dick. Images by famous artists both in the text and as cover art and some related fine bindings are included. The Phillipps Library at the Peabody Essex Museum holds an outstanding collection which makes up most of the items on display. For anyone who can travel to Salem before the exhibit closes March 29, 2026, it is a wonderful glimpse into the visual history of a most amazing novel.
https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/draw-me-ishmael-the-book-arts-of-moby-dick

​

“Who Is America at 250?” addresses critical issues that individuals and communities in the United States face daily, such as immigration, social injustice, racial inequity, and wage inequality. Simultaneously, the exhibition explores what makes America known as the "land of opportunity," providing perspectives on both the challenges and prospects of American democracy.
https://www.sfcb.org/exhibitions-archive/who-is-america-at-250
Curated by Betty Bright, Mark Dimunation, Maymanah Farhat, Yuka Petz, and Ruth Rogers

_________________

​

And as always, please contact us with any questions, concerns, and hellos!

Northwest Chapter Board, GBW