Staff

Nicole Cooke

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Nicole oversees all operations at the WNY Book Arts Center including fundraising and community outreach. Nicole is a letterpress printer, graphic designer, and photographer with an interest in process based media, and a love for creative community. Formerly the Marketing & Communications Manager at Valu Home Centers, Nicole was a member and volunteer at Book Arts for several years, and served on the Board of Directors, before becoming a staff member. She is grateful for the opportunity to put her extensive background in marketing, and passion for service to others, to work to help Book Arts continue to serve the great people of Western New York.

nicole@wnybookarts.org

Rosemary Williams

Education Director

Rosemary (was named after her paternal grandmother but she’s not a grandma!) has a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Printmaking from the University at Buffalo. Starting as a Book Arts Intern, Rosemary quickly fell in love with the place and is grateful to continue to be a part of such a vibrant and quirky community art space. At Book Arts, Rosemary leads our team of Teaching Artists, coordinating with educators, artists and the community to teach learners of all ages the curiosities of all things paper. You’ll most likely find her in a printers apron behind piles of paper on her desk. Some of her favorite things include: using a pica ruler, being around old & printy-things, and taking walks and looking at houses.

rosemary@wnybookarts.org

Melissa Rechin

Communications & Shop Director

Melissa Rechin, Mel for short, has Bachelor’s Degrees in both Journalism and Public Relations with a concentration in Visual Arts from SUNY Fredonia. Discovering our organization at an Allen West Festival, she quickly grew an affection for Book Arts’ hands-on learning experiences, and began her journey with Book Arts as a volunteer shortly after. Mel works with interns and volunteers to create, implement and oversee Book Arts communications and outreach, preparing press releases, marketing materials, e-newsletters and social media engagement. The lead Book Arts Shopkeep, Mel also works with a growing collection of consignment artists to stock our shelves with unique handmade wares and artist supplies. She can always be found amongst floral print and blocks of cheese.

mel@wnybookarts.org

Kate MacNeil

Studio Manager & Curator

Kate MacNeil is the Studio Manager and Curator at the Book Arts Center. Her background in printmaking began while pursuing her undergrad in Studio Art at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Her passion for books, however, has been a lifelong pursuit. Over the past ten years, she has worked as a technician, shop manager, volunteer, intern, assistant, and instructor for a variety printmaking and letterpress studios. Her work has been featured at the International Print Center New York, PrintAustin, and in the Mid America Print Council Journal. MacNeil completed her MFA in Studio Art at SUNY Buffalo in 2018.

press@wnybookarts.org

Gail Nicholson

Facility Project Director

Gail Nicholson oversees all construction and building improvement projects, including those related to a DASNY facilities grant, secured as one of her many accomplishments during her 6-year tenure as Executive Director at the WNY Book Arts Center. A participant in the arts for more than two decades, she formerly served as director, curator, and subsequently as a board member for Buffalo’s renowned photographic artists-run space, CEPA Gallery. She received an MFA in photography from SUNY at Buffalo.

gail@wnybookarts.org