A Teaching Artist’s Journey

Support Book Arts’ 2019 Annual Fund

What does it mean to provide opportunities for artists and educators? At the WNY Book Arts Center, this question is central to our mission to share printing and book-related arts with all those engaged in a creative curiosity. One member of this vibrant community is Sweety Kabra, who puts these values into action as a Teaching Artist.

Sweety first joined Book Arts as a volunteer. Since we are a working museum offering unique public access to specialized equipment and technical instruction, she began to learn artmaking techniques found nowhere else in our region. Sweety reflects “This gave me the confidence to work with tools and develop my skills to share the knowledge in a class!”

Training alongside Ruby Merritt, a Lead Teaching Artist at Book Arts who has been teaching with us for “two years and counting!” Sweety not only prepared for her workshops, but gave Ruby the opportunity for greater professional development. Ruby shares

“It’s the learning of history, heritage and sharing of cultures that makes being a Teaching Artist special. Each session adds to the next.”

Over the summer, Sweety successfully lead her first series of Printing Partners workshops, a Book Arts program that shares our classes with kids and families free of charge at neighboring cultural organizations.

“I love that as a teaching artist I can create and teach art and make a difference. I’ve learned so much through these opportunities. I’ve gained confidence and the ability to present my art to others. Everyone at Book Arts helped me immensely in growing in the role of a Teaching Artist.”

…and that ‘everyone’  includes you! We are writing today to ask: will you help us continue to provide meaningful opportunities for Teaching Artists like Sweety and Ruby? 

Last year, your support empowered us to position our organization for growth. With a new logo, a new website, and a series of building improvements for our home in the Literary Corridor, we look eagerly forward to sharing our brand of Book Arts ‘magic’ with even more members of our community. 

We thank you for your generous support. We couldn’t do it without you!