HILLSBORO, OR––The Washington County Museum is hosting an exhibit showcasing book art belonging to faculty and staff of the upcoming Focus on Book Arts Conference scheduled this summer in Forest Grove, Ore. The exhibit features approximately 45 works from some of the best book artists in the country.
The exhibit runs through Sunday, June 2, at the Washington County Museum’s Exhibitions and Educational Programs space located in the Hillsboro Civic Center Plaza Building, 120 E Main St., in downtown Hillsboro next to Starbucks. The Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free for members; non-member admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, students, children 18 and under, and active military. Children age 3 and under are free.
Book art, often referred to as “artists’ books,” are works of art realized in the form of books. Bookbinding and related arts have exploded in the past decade, inspiring artists to explore the unlimited possibilities of the form—scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas or loose items contained in a box as well as bound printed sheets. This exhibit celebrates bookmaking and the book in contemporary art.
“In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever,” says Sam Shogren, executive director at the museum. “This exhibit appeals to anyone interested in book arts, bookbinding, altered books, calligraphy, paper arts, letterpress and more.”
The exhibit will move Monday, June 5, to the library on the Pacific University campus at 2043 College Way in Forest Grove and remain open at that location through Sunday, June 30.
Focus on Book Arts 2013 conference will be held from June 25 to 30 at Pacific University where participants will take courses in bookbinding, calligraphy, papermaking, using a Dremel tool and other book-related crafts under the instruction of more than 20 leaders. The conference is open to all skill levels. More information about the Focus on Book Arts Conference can be found at www.focusonbookarts.org
