Newsbites

​​​​​​​FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Those April Showers are bringing these May Flowers!

It’s understandable that you might be a tweensy bit reluctant to take on an additional responsibility during our election time, and looking for volunteers BUT I (current President) can assure you that you will have the necessary support to do an outstanding job without any sleepless nights. The Chapter has an excellent Treasurer (Michael Sobel), a Membership volunteer (Candis Litsey), a tech wizard for our Zoom programs (Elasaid Haas), and a web tech (Rhiannon Alpers). You can count on me to work with you to successfully transition to either of these positions. Please feel free to contact me directly to talk more about these opportunities. Both of these positions can be shared and set up to meet your needs. 

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It’s an exciting time to be at the helm with great support and enthusiasm.

IMPORTANT: the Chapter must have a Chair in order to exist.

 

UPCOMING ELECTIONS:

Chapter Board positions (Chair and Events Coordinator) remain available for YOU!  

Job Descriptions:

NW Chapter Chair coordinates the activities of the Chapter, with other members, scheduling meetings, working with the National Executive Board to communicate chapter ideas and needs, and participating in the growth of the Guild of Book Workers.  The National and local boards are energetic, supportive groups of delightful people who are ready to help. Attending Standards of Excellence (one night’s lodging paid for) and enjoying the fellowship of the entire executive and chapter chairs is very special. 

 

Developing programs for book artists, librarians, and conservators gives the Events Coordinator an opportunity to bring top-notch speakers and teachers to our region. It is gratifying to see members and our friends come to these programs and know that our work is helping us all to learn more. The Events Coordinator develops the programming for the Chapter members and colleagues which can include artist’s talks, panel discussions, collection visits, conservator’s studio visits, workshops and much more. The NW Chapter is working to establish a collaborative annual program with our book artists colleagues in the Book Arts Guild and Puget Sound Book Artists.

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MEMBER NEWS:

Gabby Cooksey has been awarded an Artistrust Fellowship. She is the first fine/design binder to be so honored. Read more about this here. Congratulations to Gabby! Well-deserved honor.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

May 21, 2026. 1pm PST Zoom. Suzanne Clemont from the University of Iowa Libraries Conservation

Hosted by the Fellowship of the American Bibliophilic Societies Special Interest Group on Binding

The department will talk about the book binding models collection that their conservators and scholars have built. It is an amazing collection.

 

June 15, 2026.   Fish Parchment with Karen Hanmer Presentation

Hosted by the Fellowship of the American Bibliophilic Societies Special Interest Group on Binding
Chicago book artist Karen Hanmer began processing, dyeing, and binding with fish parchment as a covid lockdown distraction. In the five and a half years since, it has become a large part of her practice. In this month’s presentation, she will take you through the steps to make and use your own, and show a variety of finished work.

Karen Hanmer's work utilizes both traditional and contemporary book structures and is often playful in content or format. Her work is included in more than 200 collections internationally. Hanmer has presented twice at the Guild of Book Workers' annual conference. She served on the editorial board of The Bonefolder and as the Guild’s Exhibitions Chair. Her thoughtful approach to structure gives students the tools to reach across history and technique to create a sound and satisfying binding.
Website: www.karenhanmer.com
 
July 20, 2026.  Stephanie Stillo, Chief, Rare Books and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress

Stephanie will discuss and show some of the new bindings in the Library of Congress's collections.

You can be on the distribution list by sending your email to Marc Chavez at marcchavez@comcast.net 

Stephanie Stillo serves as chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, where she leads the development, stewardship, interpretation, promotion and service of the collection to meet the needs of government officials, scholars and the public. Prior to her appointment in 2023, she held the position of curator of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection and Aramont Library. Stillo holds a Ph.D. in modern European history and specializes in the history of printmaking and historical book illustration. She has a particular interest in the visual intersection of art, literature and poetry in modern and contemporary artist books

 

DONATION ITEMS AVAILABLE:
Rosie and Kim Batchelder donated their bindery equipment, tools, and materials to NW Chapter members, and we have just a few things left, notably some lovely decorative papers. If you are interested, send your request to northwest@guildofbookworkers.org. Here are a few pictures of the papers. There are 35 full sheets and a smaller collection of partial sheets.

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OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH:​

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June 22-28, 2026. Focus On Book Arts Conference.

This biennial conference is all hands-on, chock-a-block with workshops and presentations on a wide variety of book arts taught by leaders in the field.
https://bookwhen.com/foba2026#focus=ev-sgj6x-20260622000000

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Who Is America at 250? Artists’ Books on the State of Democracy

Curated by Betty Bright, Mark Dimunation, Maymanah Farhat, Yuka Petz, and Ruth Rogers

San Francisco Center for the Book​

January 17 – March 8, 2026

https://www.sfcb.org/exhibitions-archive/who-is-america-at-250
This exhibition explores the realities and perceptions of living in the United States today. Featuring artists' books and print work by artists from across the nation, the exhibition reflects on the current state of our American experiment. 
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Aimee Lee: Tethered

Sherry Grover Gallery, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

Mar 6 – Jun 14, 2026

https://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/aimee-lee-tethered/
A solo exhibition of internationally acclaimed papermaker and book artist, Aimee Lee, which showcases her interdisciplinary approach and a conversation around materials, personal experiences, and ancient legacies.
 

What Is An Artist’s Book?
Orientation Gallery, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art 
Mar 6 – Jun 14, 2026

https://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/what-is-an-artists-book/
Explore the expansive and inventive world of artists’ books in this debut exhibition, which will return on occasion!

These unique works blur the boundaries between object, narrative, and experience, with definitions intentionally left open and artist-driven. Created as one-of-a-kind pieces or in limited editions, artists’ books reveal meaning over time through the interplay of form, material, and content. Ranging from familiar book-like structures to sculptural and experimental formats, they often incorporate drawing, printmaking, collage, photography, textiles, and creative writing—inviting touch, interpretation, and discovery while challenging how art can be experienced.

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Making Their Mark: Decorating and Finishing
American Bookbinders Musuem 
Online Exhibition
https://bookbindersmuseum.org/exhibition/online-exhibits/
An Introduction to Finishing, by hand or machine. Finishing adds the titling and decoration to a book’s cover, back, and spine. Learn about the tools, processes, and materials used to decorate a book’s binding.

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

Northwest Chapter Board, GBW