Category: News

Two exceptional artists in the field of book arts will receive fellowships of $25,000 each

August 26, 2019

For the first time, two fellowships—which include an award of $25,000 each, as well as professional development experiences, opportunities to participate in national conferences, and public discussions with visiting critics and curators—will be available in 2020 to book artists living in the state of Minnesota.

Continue reading “Minnesota Center for Book Arts Launches McKnight Fellowships for Book Artists”

July 26, 2019

On view August 9 – October 13, 2019
Public reception and visiting artist talk: October 3, 2019, 6-8 pm
MCBA Main Gallery

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) presents Mimic: Modern Marbled Objects, an exhibition that examines the history and craft of marbling, from book arts origins to present day sculpture, fine art, and other decorative objects. This exhibition was co-curated by Torey Erin (MCBA Exhibitions and Artist Programs Manager) and Heather RJ Fletcher (visual artist and innovator of HRJ DesignStudio). Connecting the local community to national masters of the form, MCBA’s marbled-themed exhibition and educational programs engage, inspire, and focus attention on contemporary applications of this vibrant traditional craft.

Continue reading “Minnesota Center for Book Arts presents “Mimic: Modern Marbled Objects””

April 30, 2019

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) presents Playing With Words, an exhibition in collaboration with the Loft Literary Center’s first annual Wordplay, Minnesota’s largest celebration of readers, writers and great books. MCBA has commissioned 14 letterpress printers from around the country to create an edition of broadsides featuring selections of text by writers Jericho Brown, Anders Carlson-Wee, Tina Chang, Franny Choi, Mark Conway, Ross Gay, Dobby Gibson, Mary Karr, Ed Bok Lee, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, and Natasha Trethewey.
Continue reading “MCBA Presents “Playing With Words””

March 6, 2019

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) was presented with the Award for Institutional Achievement by the American Printing History Association (APHA) for its work promoting, preserving, and educating communities to the printing arts over MCBA’s history. The award was presented on Saturday, January 26, at APHA’s annual meeting at the Grolier Club in New York City, and was received by MCBA’s Board Chair, K.C. Foley.
Continue reading “MCBA Recognized by American Printing History Association for Institutional Achievement”

January 14, 2019

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) announced today that Elysa Voshell will be its next Executive Director. Elysa Voshell will lead a new era of community engagement and sustainability for the internationally-recognized book arts organization. Voshell joins MCBA from Venice Arts, a nonprofit media arts organization in Venice, CA, dedicated to igniting, expanding, and transforming the lives of Los Angeles’ low-income youth through photography and film education. As Venice Arts’ Associate Director, Voshell provided broad leadership and managed day-to-day operations of the organization. She has been with Venice Arts since 2009. Additional career highlights include her role as Associate Editor at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Staff Writer at the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, and Artist in Residence in Book Arts at the Oregon College of Art and Craft.
Continue reading “Elysa Voshell Named Next Executive Director of Minnesota Center for Book Arts”

January 11, 2019

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) presents Chronicled in Clay: Ceramics and the Art of the Story, an exhibition that brings together ceramics and contemporary book arts. Chronicled in Clay is presented in conjunction with Claytopia, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts’ (NCECA) 53rd Annual Conference, which explores “the human imagination as a vehicle of restless yearning for a more livable, just, and meaningful world.”
Continue reading “New Exhibition at Minnesota Center for Book Arts Combines Ceramics with Storytelling”

January 7, 2019

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library announces Jody Williams as the winner of the 2019 Minnesota Book Artist Award for her new book entitled For Now. Sponsored by Lerner Publishing Group, this annual award is presented as part of the Minnesota Book Awards with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA), and recognizes a Minnesota book artist or book artist collaborative group for excellence of a new artistic work. Winners also show demonstrated proficiency and quality in the book arts through three pieces of supporting previous work, as well as an ongoing commitment and significant contributions to Minnesota’s book arts community.
Continue reading “Jody Williams Wins the 2019 Minnesota Book Artist Award”

December 17, 2018

Raw is a new exhibition presented by Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA). The exhibition is on view from December 14th – February 3rd in the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons. The opening reception for raw will take place on Thursday, January 10 from 6-8pm. Both the exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.
Continue reading “New Exhibition at Minnesota Center for Book Arts Showcases Work by Artist Cooperative”

November 14, 2018

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) invites the community to attend New Editions, a two-day event that celebrates and fosters the collection of book art. Over 130 new original works—from chapbooks and zines, to broadsides, artist’s books, and fine press editions—will be available for viewing and purchase. The curated offerings will include something for everyone, from the most seasoned collector to the newest enthusiast, with items at a wide variety of prices.

New Editions begins on Friday, November 30 from 6-9pm with a special preview night. Be the first to explore and purchase a curated collection of bookish works from Minnesota and around the country. At 7pm, learn more about the importance of collecting book art from a panel of artists, featuring Harriet Bart, Regula Russelle, and Gaylord Schanilec, and moderated by Karen Wirth. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, craft wine and beer, and creative company with other book and art lovers. Tickets are $50 and available for purchase on MCBA’s website or in The Shop at MCBA. Each ticket holder receives a commemorative limited edition broadside printed by Laura Brown during the event.

New Editions continues with a public sale on Saturday, December 1 from 10am-4pm. Attendees will be able to find special gifts for those on their shopping list, or treat themselves to a unique work of art. Saturday’s event is free and open to the public, and seasonal refreshments will be provided.
Continue reading “Announcing two-day event celebrating and fostering the collection of book art”

October 11, 2018

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition, MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellowships Series XIV. On view from November 3rd, 2018 – January 27th, 2019 in MCBA’s Main Gallery, this exhibition features exciting new work from this year’s MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellowship recipients: printmaker and book artist Cathy Ryan; artist Ioana Stoian; paper maker and social practice artist Peng Wu; and installation artist Jammo Xu. The opening reception for MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellowships Series XIV will take place on Friday, November 9 from 6-8pm. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Continue reading “Celebrating the MCBA/Jerome Foundation Book Arts Fellowships Series”

September 17, 2018

Quilt, Not Quilt: The Afterlife is a new exhibition at Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA), on view from October 12^th ­­­- December 2^nd in the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons. This exhibition features art that repurposes old, tattered quilts into new forms while still preserving the quilts’ heritage, craftsmanship, and legacy. The opening reception for Quilt, Not Quilt will take place on Wednesday, October 17 from 6-8pm. The reception includes an artist talk and poetry reading from 7-8pm in the Target Performance Hall on the second floor of Open Book, as well as a meet and greet with the artists and poets. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Continue reading “New Exhibition at Minnesota Center for Book Arts Explores the Storytelling Power of Quilts”

June 20, 2018

Freud on the Couch: Psyche in the Book, a new exhibition featuring book works inspired by the psychoanalytical concepts of Sigmund Freud, will travel to Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) from July 20-September 30, 2018. Freud on the Couch features works by nearly 30 international artists that either directly or indirectly draw from Freudian concepts, theories, and themes. This provocative exhibition asks viewers to find parallels between the ways that visual art and psychoanalysis act as frameworks for the collective unconscious. MCBA will host an opening reception on Thursday, July 26 from 6-8 pm in the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons. Continue reading “Exhibition inspired by Sigmund Freud to open at Minnesota Center for Book Arts”