Celebrating the Women of WNY Book Arts Center

Celebrating the women of WNY Book Arts

March is for the ladies. In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re getting to know some of the women here at the heart of Book Arts. We’re made up of a growing community of female printmakers, teaching artists, book enthusiasts, shop consignment artists, illustrators, supporters, and a whole bunch of others who make us home to the creatively curious. And the creativity and ambition of these women can be found right here on the shelves of the shop at 468 Washington.

The Book Arts Shop is home to a collection of unique, handmade wares showcasing the artistic talent (& women-owned businesses!) we have here in the Queen City. Hand-printed cards, posters, stationery and apparel reside among handbound books, journals, notebooks & more; all made by over 90 consignment artists, volunteers, and our all-female staff….huzzah! Each and every sale from the shop helps to support & build this growing community of artists.

We’re proud to support and provide opportunity for so many creative & powerful female artists. Round of applause for these ladies, keep on creatin’!

RACHAEL GOOTNICK

of Just Terrific Handcrafted Goods

Being a female entrepreneur brings me tremendous pride, and I’m grateful for the respect of book arts within our community. Expanding my craft and expertise is an endless goal, and places like WNYBAC help me to succeed. Women supporting women is a fantastic niche of our economy, and one in which I make a mindful effort to put my money back into.

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MEREDITH & MELINDA PREVE

of Witty Gritty Paper Co.

We’ve always thought that, as a company and as people, the most amazing magic trick of (wo)mankind is to dream up something in your head, something that is new and imaginary and unique to your life’s experience and perspective and then to go and make that thing a real, tangible object in the world. The experience is like making memories, thoughts and feelings their own currency of connection for all of the other people you meet. It’s like magic. And there is something about the people of Buffalo that make it even more special, a kind of unspoken sister and brotherhood that you don’t find anywhere else.

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CARRIE RINEHART

of Rusterior

Being a female artist is so great! The Buffalo community of women artists are so supportive and it’s inspiring to see so many women starting their own businesses and creating some amazing things for our city!

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HANNA HOFFMAN

of Spark Marks

I feel very fortunate to be a part of a community that embraces and supports art so much. There is a rising energy here that empowers creative women and I am so happy to be able to raise my daughter this type of environment.

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MOLLY BERES

of Molly Illustration

One of the things I really value about being a visual artist is that we have the ability to get a message out in the blink of an eye. Whether a viewer even realizes it, once they’ve seen your piece their brain has acknowledged it in one way or another. This is especially satisfying because there are people who don’t necessarily want a woman’s perspective on the world. But in that moment when they see the work of a woman artist- that’s exactly what they’re getting.

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ALEXA JOAN

of Eat Off Art & Fleather Earrings

As a female business owner I think we need to do more of (business ownership) but we are in a really good position to work together and to really make huge statements and huge strides not only in Buffalo, but nationwide and throughout the globe. And as an artist again there’s just a lot of opportunities and recognizing that creativity and sharing of yourself—of your creativity, not only benefits you, but benefits others, is something that I think allows people to breathe a little easier when it comes to creating things.

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HARUMO SATO

of Harumo Bakery

I believe most of the women are prayer of Vagina Goddess. When she cries, we cry. When she smiles, we smile. In the ancient world, women used to be treated as a perfect receiver of spiritual messages from gods/goddesses that normal people do not have access with. It’s simply because we, as women, know that in our body lives a goddess which we sometime cannot control. Our female body is made to respect something beyond us and creativity is one of the perfect outlets to express the “ah”, “Eureka”, or “fudge”, or so on.

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JANNA WILLOUGHBY-LOHR

of Papercraft Miracles

As a creative entrepreneur, I love that my work is something that brings joy to me and so many others and gives purpose and meaning to my life.

In the Buffalo community, I like that I can be a resource for other artists looking to sell their work.

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Stop in the Shop to peruse & get inspired by the handmade items made by these hardworking women, and many more!

Open Hours: Thursday 10-2, Friday 12-6, Saturday 10-2.

Oh and don’t forget to say hi to our leading ladies, Olga, Barbie & Mandy – our beloved printing presses!