How does Book Arts support local artists, and what is done to help uphold the principle of cultivating a broad and diverse artistic community?

Book Arts supports local artists in a variety of ways – exhibition and residency opportunities; onsite and online stores which offer a range of affordable commissioned print-based works; workshops taught by skilled local artists; poetry readings, artist talks and vending opportunities at community events; and access to our amazing resources via open studio rentals. While  our organization focuses on printmaking and the art of the book, we also employ a wide definition of  this area of practice.  In the past year, our exhibition program has included collage, print on 16mm film, rise print and an exploration of paper at the intersection of drawing, letterpress and folding techniques. Artists participating in our exhibition, residency and commissioned programs reflect WNY’s richly diverse communities, both urban and rural.

What does innovation mean to you, and how does that influence how you approach your role at Book Arts?

I see innovation as intricately tied to experimentation. Providing artists with the time, space, and tools to experiment through residencies, for example, has yielded a body of amazing new work which has, in turn, lead to resident artists developing new workshops, creating new work for our commissioned store. That spirit of experimentation is also part of our exhibition program over the past year, which has focused on the intersection of printmaking and film, media archeology as well as collage, letterpress, and woodcut. Bringing a diversity of voices and practices into our space has yielded a range of exciting new approaches to how we serve artists.

-Laura McGough, Executive Director 

What would you say is the cultural significance of preserving the book-related arts?

Context is important and history is an incredible tool – we learn from and reference what’s been done in the past, and build upon that understanding to create new innovative work. By creating books & prints at Book Arts, we can understand the hands-on history of these objects (stepping into our Studio is a timewarp!), and utilize our gained knowledge and perspective to create new artworks like a kind-worded card, or a poster with something important to say.

What does innovation mean to you, and how does that influence how you approach your role at Book Arts?

In the Book Arts Studio makers of all ages are interested in creating by hand – a letterpress print, or a handmade book… I work with learners/makers/artists to approach a project from multiple angles, making the craft accessible and inclusive, which often creates new and surprising results – that’s where there’s true innovation! 

-Rosemary Williams, Education Director

How did you become involved with Book Arts?

I heard chatter about a space downtown that had multiple printing abilities, exhibition space, and that they use a steam roller to make prints at an outdoor festival every year, and I was awe-struck and determined to check it out. With my curious foot in the door, I noticed I knew some of the staff from my MFA studies at UB, so delightful to see familiar faces a few years after graduation. Book Arts then approached me in late 2017 and asked if I was interested in being a teaching artist for the center, specifically working with a grant-funded program that would have me as WNY BOOK ARTS bringing book arts, printing, and learning to other community centers of the western new york where the arts are underserved. This offer came six months after I suddenly lost my mother, Sue; who gave me the confidence and support to make a living as an artist and a teacher. Working with the community and families helped me grieve in a positive way, and let me reminisce about the two of us putting our love and energy into the arts in our community.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a teaching artist? What do you hope is the takeaway for workshop participants?

The most rewarding part of being a teaching artist is the variety of places and people I get to teach. I get to bring my studio art practice into my instructions, create a flow of lessons plans and make the objects we create have a purpose beyond something to hang on the wall (or the fridge) but use again, like designing a planner, or printing on cards to mail to friends and familu. The art objects have a life beyond making them during class. I hope they take away the whole experience and want to teach and make art objects with their friends and family. I imagine a student of mine showing their sleep over party how to make dragon folds and then wearing them for their night of fun! Like where the wild things are but they have book arts projects to march around with!

How did you become involved with Book Arts?

I found out about it through the summer of book fest workshops that were held on the summer of 2021 and was interested in volunteering after taking a few of them.

What do you find the most interesting about working in the studio space? In what ways has the space inspired you?

How did you become involved with Book Arts?

I started as a volunteer at Book Arts Center and eventually started to help out as an assistant to teaching artists for workshops and classes. And with time I lead my own workshops as a Teaching Artist conducting many classes and workshops. I’m a part of Book Arts now as an employee as well as teaching artist.

From your perspective, what are the benefits of local artists to having a space like Book Arts to showcase their work? What do you enjoy about being a consignment artist here?

 In my experience it was great to have a space like Book Arts Center as an Art enthusiast and teacher. It promotes local artists like me to make more art and have a place to display and reach out to the amazing Buffalo community. I have been a consignment artist as well and got such a wonderful chance to create art work and display it at the Book Arts Center. Overall, the center provides an amazing opportunity to the local artists and art goers to trade art and create more art.