As we close March, National Women's History Month, we'd like to celebrate 3 women who write and create with verve, energy and humor!!!  My favorite combo!  First 2 poets:  Nancy Scott, poetess extroadinaire has collaborated with artist, Maryann Riker, in a new collaborative chapbook entitled, "The Nature of Beyond".  Her opening poetic work sets the stage. 
                                                           He chirps before five,
                                                           rain or shine.  He knows how 
                                                           singing shapes the world.
Coupled with artwork inspired by the poems, this artistic chapbook celebrates the spirit and its journeys.  For more information about the book, go to "NEW Release!" on this website.  Another great poetess, Beth Seetch, delights in a frank optimism that imbues her poetry with an edginess that is crystalline and sharp.  For more work by Beth, check out www.seetchwritingconsultants.com.  And, one more woman to celebrate is the book artist, Lois Morrison who opens April with an exhibit at Lafayette College's, Skillman Library. For more info, check out http://www.library.lafayette.edu/.  She will be lecturing on Friday, April 1st at 12 noon and will present awards for the Edible Book Arts Fest at 1:00 p.m. 

Another great weekend can be had in Philly!  Check out the new exhibit at the Franklin Institute "DaVinci's Workshop" with great interactive 3-d stations showcasing Leonardo's fabulous codices and brings his drawings of his inventions to life in 3-d.  Also, on view is the recreation of the refurbishment of his "Last Supper".  This exhibit delights all ages particularly those young at heart.  Another gem is the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts highlighting the recently-installed "Gross's Clinic" in their new contemporary galleries next to the original building.  The buildings are beautiful and their collections spectacular.  From Peale to Eakins to Bettye Saar and Nicholas Cave, they have it all.  Another great institution in Philadelphia which is closeby and can be viewed on your way to lunch at The Reading Terminal, is The Fabric Workshop.  A long-time honored arts facility with artist residencies that run from 3-6 months, The Fabric Workshops constantly exhibits high-quality collaborative projects between artists and the community.  So, enjoy March!  And, let the April showers begin for we all know May brings rays of sunshine. 

There is nothing like greeting Spring with a beautiful weekend in New York City.  Trees are beginning to bud and everyone is out and about enjoying the first spring-like days after a long, cold winter.  This weekend was stellar in weather and art exhibits...although, not for everyone, the Times Discovery Center at 44th between 7th and 8th Avenues just opened "Pompei:  The Exhibit".  Real real artifacts and plaster casts of bodies cast in the vulcanic ash, this exhibit promises beauty and tragedy.  Although somewhat dramatic, no one can deny that the frescoes displayed here look as if they were painted yesterday; the artifacts are exquisite and the body casts very eery.  It reminds one all too much of the recent quake in Japan and the power of Mother Nature.  After that, a walk up to 54th and 6th Ave., took us to MOMA.  Some of the exhibits we wanted to see were the "Guitars of Pablo Picasso", "Counter Space", "Women of Photography" and "Performance in Photography".  All are outstanding shows, but my favorite was "Counter Space" with its recently acquired German designed efficiency kitchen by a female architect...forget her name at the moment...but, check out the 1975 performance video of Martha Rosler entitled "Semiotics of the Kitchen" and be prepared to laugh...it's right next to the Bob Watts vinyl case...a very Fluxus statement on kitchen utensils.  Another museum to check out is the American Folk Art Museum right next to MOMA's Gift Store.  Currently, they have an exquisite exhibit of quilts from their permanent collectin.  After leaving MOMA, shoot on up to 57th Street to check out the Pace Gallery at 32 East 57th Street to see the new paintings of Jim Dine.  The exhibit continues upstairs with his prints on the 3rd and 7th floors and it's well worth waiting for the elevator or taking the steps.  Doubling back check out the Marlborough Galleries with their exhibit of Tom Otterness's new sculptures.  They are wonderful.  Some great galleries at 24 W. 57th St., and 41 E. 57th Street as well.  Have fun and enjoy the balmy weather...Only a week and a half until Spring arrives.  In the meantime, don't forget to turn your clocks ahead!! 

March is National Women's History Month and this blog post celebrates women who have propelled book arts into the forefront in the role as curator, book artist and dealer.  Diane Shaw, Curator and Director of Special Collections at Skillman Library at Lafayette College, Easton, PA, began acquiring artists' books 10 years ago.  Today, Lafayette's Collection rivals that of other prestigous collections throughout the country and she does it quietly and very well.  This haven of wonderful artist's books also highlights exhibits of artist's books and Ms. Shaw has brought to Skillman Library the work of 3 women book artists: Nava Atlas, Maureen Cummins and Ann Lovett.  Entitled "In Retrospect", the exhibit highlights how 3 different women approach gender issues and views of themselves through the narrative and visual format of the artist's book.  For info on their work, go to www.vampandtramp.com under Fine Presses/Artists Books and also check out Lafayette's blurb on their wonderful exhibit at www.lafayette.edu under Calendar of Events.  

Three other women who are not only book artists but gallery dealers as well and very successful at both include, Alicia Bailey owner of the Abecedarian Gallery, Denver, CO; Laura Russell owner of 23 Sandy Gallery, Portland, OR; and Susan Hensel owner of The Susan Hensel Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.  All three have advanced the education of the public of what is an artist's book and its perception as an art object.  For more information on their work as book artists, check out www.vampandtramp.com or their individual gallery websites at:  www.abecedariangallery.com, www.23sandygallery.com, and www.susanhenselgallery.com.  Currently at Susan Hensel's space is an exhibit in its 11th year entitled "Readers' Art 11:  Urban/Urbane which opens tonight!  Susan is also a fabulous fiber artist and her yarns will want you to pick up those crochet hooks and knitting needles again.  Check out her artists' books at www.susanhenseldesign.com.  The writer of this blog has 2 works in this exhibit and is very excited to be a part of it.  Past exhibits at all galleries are worth more than a peek, but some of my favorites are: "The Boxy Book" at Abecedarian Gallery and "Pop-Up" at 23 Sandy Gallery. 

So have fun and have a great March and remember to celebrate those special women in your lives with cards, gifts and hugs of love!