Member Month 2023: Meet the Members!
As our annual membership drive comes to a close, we wanted to share the experience of our current members. Currently, there are 150+ Book Arts members, and they run the gamut: artists currently enrolled in school are able to get the Student membership, families who enjoy taking workshops together have opted for our Household membership, and those who enjoy Book Arts, but don’t live in Buffalo still have the option to be a member with our Out of Town membership!
In addition to supporting Book Arts’ mission of preserving the book arts through collaboration and innovation, being a member also includes the following benefits:
- Saving on average $5-$20 off Book Arts Classes
- Discounted (or free!) access to artist workshops & talks in our exhibition series
- Access to our letterpress & screen print studios during Open Studio after completing pre-requisite classes
- Access to our 1” or 2″ button maker (parts sold separately)
- Saving 10% at the Book Arts Shop of handmade wares, gifts, and artist supplies (including a discount code for our web store!)
- Higher artist consignment rate for items sold in our shop
- An opportunity to exhibit and sell your work in the annual Members’ Show
- An exclusive font electronic download designed in 1903
- Book Arts library access privileges (books about making books, prints & more!)
- Satisfaction in the knowledge that you have helped cultivate the book arts in WNY! ♥
Here at Book Arts, we have fostered a kind, open, and enthusiastic community! Four of our current members took a few moments to tell us about their experience:
Jameson Alea, Teaching Artist, Consignment Artist, Former Studio Resident, Friend Membership Holder
“When I became a Book Arts member, all I was really looking for was access to the open studio, which is an invaluable resource all on its own. Printmaking takes a lot of space and equipment, and it would be impossible to do what I do without a space like the studio at Book Arts, so I felt fortunate to be able to join and access it. But once I became a member and started spending more time there, I realized I had gotten more than just access to a cool space. I was now part of a community, and that community connected me with other artists and helped me learn and grown in my craft. And now that I’m also a teaching artist, I feel even more a part of that community. Mastering something enough to teach it to others has grown my confidence as an artist, and it makes me feel like I’m giving something back to the space that I’ve gotten so much out of.”
Heather Martin, Former Studio Resident, Student Membership Holder
During my residency, I was able to make use of the studio space–and all the equipment– on a regular basis. Having those tools enabled me to think through new poetic possibilities, particularly making use of tactility, texture, and mishap that happens when you’re working by hand. I came to the studio with some ideas of the project I wanted to undertake, but ended up being guided by what the space and materials suggested, which led to poetry I wouldn’t have otherwise found or created.
How has being a Book Arts member helped you on your journey as an artist?
Kanchalee Deganis-Librera, Consignment Artist, Basic Membership Holder
I just became a consignment artist at Book Arts last year. Originally, my plan was to sell my greeting cards and prints mainly online. Once I stepped into Book Arts, I knew having my artwork in a physical shop in downtown Buffalo, would be a dream. So I read the info from the website, made an appointment to come in and show my artworks, and that’s how I became part of the cool kids! Being a consignment artist at Book Arts makes me feel like part of the community. I am so looking forward to my first vendor ever at The 12TH ANNUAL BOOKFEST 2023. Book Arts, thanks for the opportunity!
How has being a Book Arts member helped you on your journey as an artist?
I have been using watercolor and gouache as my mediums to create my art. However, after I became a Book Arts member, I plan to expand my knowledge about traditional printing and use this new-old technique in my future works. Book Arts is not only a cute shop, the studio in the basement is a gem! Being a member of Book Arts not only will I get a special price for workshops, but I will be able to use the studio to create my own works too which is awesome!
Wendy Trout, Household Membership Holder
I have thoroughly enjoyed the letterpress, printmaking and silkscreen classes at Book Arts. I discovered a new passion – silkscreening my hand-drawn calligraphy. Renting the studio was convenient and very cost-effective. In the past year, I have printed six custom cards in limited edition runs for a client. Not only was it fun – but profitable. Thank you Book Arts (especially Rosemary Williams).