SATURDAY, November 19, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
at the Parkway Central Library
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street

Free and open to the public!

This festive book fair features prints, artists' books, handmade paper, zines, origami, blank books, paper sculpture, and jewelry, all made by local artists. If it's paper-based art, it's here!

Free book-making workshops for all ages will also be offered at the Library the day of the fair. Space is limited - please email events@philadelphiacenterforthebook.org to reserve your spot for the morning workshop.

For Adults and Teens:
Hidden Books
11:00 a.m. - Noon, Room 108
Within every sheet of paper is a hidden book lying in wait. We will discover how to make several of these single sheet structures. You'll leave with samples and the know-how to embed your own content into these functional, quick books!

For Kids and Families:
Pop-ups
2:00 -.3:00 p.m., Room 108 - walk-ins ok
Making pop-ups is easy - just cut, fold, and pop! We will explore paper engineering techniques to make cards that jump off the page! Students will learn the basics, including v-fold, layers, and simple tabs, to make your own personalized pop-up creations. Animate holiday cards, build abstract kinetic cards, and more. This workshop is for all ages and levels of experience.

Sponsored by The Philadelphia Center for the Book and the Art Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Tags: Events at the Library, artists' books

The 4th Annual Book Paper Scissors Artists’ Book Fair will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 10-4 at the Parkway Central Library. It's free and open to the public. This festive event features prints, artists’ books, handmade paper, zines, origami, blank books, paper sculpture, and jewelry. Free how-to workshops will be held in Room 108 at 11 am (single sheet folded book) and 1 pm (mini flag book).

Come and buy, or just be inspired! You will find many affordable and interesting gifts for everyone on your list (or yourself).

This event is co-sponsored by the Art Department and the Philadelphia Center for the Book.

Tags: Events at the Library, artists' books

Don't miss the third annual Book Paper Scissors Artists' Book Fair at the Parkway Central Library on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—it's free and open to the public! This festive event features prints, artists' books, handmade paper, zines, origami, blank books, paper sculpture, and jewelry for sale by more than 30 artists. If it's paper-based art, it's here! Come and buy, or just be inspired! You will find many affordable and interesting gifts for everyone on your holiday gift list, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Free Library.

During the event, you can also learn to make a pochoir holiday card for a special someone with book artists Kay Healy and Greg Pizzoli. Pochoir, a French stenciling technique, was often used to color prints and books, especially in the early 1900s. Each participant will learn the technique and create their own handmade pochoir greeting. The kid-friendly (age 5 and up) workshops will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Story Hour Room in the Children's Department on the ground floor.

See you there!

Tags: Events at the Library, artists' books

Ever wonder how a book is made, outside of the huge factory production of regular publishing? This video by Abigail Uhteg, a 2007 graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, shows how. She had an artists' book residency at the Women's Studio Workshop (Rosendale, NY) this summer and produced a small edition (35 copies) of a book with etchings, letterpress, and handmade paper. While printing and binding the book, she took 3,000 photos of the process and made them into a video. 

Check it out here. You can also find out more about her work at her website and learn more about the programs at the Women's Studio Workshop.

There will be an exhibition of artists' books created at Women's Studio Workshop in the 2nd floor Art and Print Galleries at Parkway Central,  from January 19 through February 24, 2010.

By Karen L.

Tags: artists' books