By Hannah Franke, City of Tacoma Arts Intern
WHO: Puget Sound Book Artists
WHAT: Second Annual Members’ Exhibition
WHERE: Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound in Tacoma
WHEN: Exhibition dates: June 7 – July 31, 2012. Opening reception: Thurs., June 7, 4:30-6:30 pm. Conversation with the artists: June 20t 5- 8 pm.
Come to an exhibit celebrating the art of the book – real books with soul and made with the artist’s touch, not the kind delivered via computer. Curated by Lucia Harrison, MalPina Chan, Debbi Commodre, and Randi Parkhurst, this exhibit showcases the work of members of the Puget Sound Book Artists organization. Meet the artists at the opening reception June 7 from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Curators Statement:
The Puget Sound area of Washington State has a vibrant book arts community and we are delighted to present the works of 27 talented artists in the Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA), 2nd annual Members’ Exhibition. Each year, this exhibition gives our members a goal and experience exhibiting their work. This year, PSBA brought in artists to give lectures or workshops on pattern design, handmade paper, and pop-up book design. The contemporary artist books in this exhibition are exceptional in their many forms. The exhibition features many different book structures, re-purposed found materials, fabric, wood, handmade papers, and papers embellished with paint, rust, dirt, stitching, and calligrapher elements. This year’s artists were inspired by nature, personal memory, family history, cultural memory, toys, art historical book forms, natural history, science and travels.
Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of both amateurs and professionals from all quarters of the book arts field for the purpose of creating a spirit of community surround the books arts and those who love books. This new organization strives to increase educational opportunities for individuals as well as institutions and other organizations, fostering excellence through exhibitions, workshops, lectures and publications related to various aspects of book arts throughout the year. The group meets monthly for play days which are designed to be brainstorming opportunities” for beginning and experienced book artists. There is time to discuss the lectures, work on a personal project, ask questions about formats, surface design, and the latest products as well as view samples of handmade and published books.
The PSBA would like to thank all of the wonderful artists who chose to participate in this exhibition as well as acknowledge Collins Memorial Library staff and especially graphic designer Jeanne Young and Administrative Coordinator, Jamie Spaine for their support and gracious hospitality at The University of Puget Sound Collins Memorial Library.
Tacoma Arts 
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