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!
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!
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