Inaugural book arts conference to be held May 19–21

USC will host the first conference of the Southeast Association of Book Arts May 19–21.

“Artists’ Books: Weaving Concepts and Materials” will consist of a conference and workshop sessions where participants will learn about artists’ books—how to write them, print them, and bind them. Other topics will include papermaking techniques and suminagashi printing. Fourteen book artists from USC and across the nation will lead the sessions.

“‘Book art’ refers to the art and craft of bookmaking, in which an artist creates a book to convey a specific idea and often handles all aspects of the process, from papermaking, to design, to printing,” said Susan Hogue, USC art professor and president of the Southeast Association of Book Arts.

“While some scholars date the art of the book back to biblical scribes, the latest resurgence of book art followed a trend of counter culture art of the 1960s,” she said. “Its revival today has taken even more artistic dimensions through computer graphic design.”

Speakers for the event include Priscilla Juvelis, Juvelis Books, Boston, Mass.; Julie Chen, faculty member at Mills College, Oakland, Calif., and owner of Flying Fish Press; and Peter Madden, a widely collected book artist. Workshop session leaders include USC faculty members Patrick Scott, libraries; Stephanie Nace, art; and Scott Gwara, English.

“The conference is going to be an exciting mix of talent and ideas,” Hogue said. “Most of the workshops are suited to beginners as well as those with more experience. Curiosity and a few supplies are the major requirements.”

Cost of the conference is $425, which includes workshops, meals, and receptions. For a conference schedule, go to www.cas.sc.edu/art/SABA/index.html.

For more information, or to register, call Hogue at 6-5963 or Nace at 7-5880.

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