THE LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS: THE ARTFUL BOOK

Exhibit Will Run from October 4, 2019 – January 5, 2020

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) is pleased to present an exhibition that will delight those who appreciate the art and beauty of books: The Artful Book. 

 

The exhibition includes 51 works of art by 23 artists from across the nation whose achievements in the book arts include fine design bindings, fine pressbooks, boxes, and broadsides. There are works of handset type, handmade paper, and calligraphy as well as unique book structures which remain an ideal vehicle to connect artists and viewers in a personal way. The multiple structures provide a multi-dimensional experience by engaging all the senses, giving the artist a breadth of opportunities for aesthetic expressions in their choice of materials, text, and images.

 

All of the artists are members of the National Guild of Book Workers and the California Chapter of the GBW. Among the 23 artists they come from California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Illinois, Idaho, Oregon, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and Alabama. This creates a diversity of art views from around the country. And a diversity of book arts: broadsides, boxes, calligraphy, limited edition fine press letterpress books, design bindings, and one-of-a-kind artist books.

 

Like artists and authors everywhere, these artists tackle a wide range of issues: homelessness, the natural environment, contemporary poetry, and aesthetic designs as well as bookmaking traditions of letterpress printing, and calligraphy. There is something for everyone! 

 

A unique exhibition catalogue is available for purchase in the Museum Store. 

 

 

One of the pleasures of the exhibition is a specially created 13-minute video of a selection of the artist books unfolding, sponsored by The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation and on view in the Kitty Rosenbaum Gallery. 

 

Founded in 1906, The Guild of Book Workers (GBW) is an organization which promotes bookbinding, conservation, and the book arts. The Guild of Book Workers was created to establish and maintain a feeling of kinship and mutual interest among workers in the unlimited design and creativity of book arts. 

 

The Guild still believes, as did its founders, that there is a responsibility among civilized people to sustain the crafts involved with the production of fine books. Its members hope to broaden public awareness of the hand book arts, to stimulate commissions of fine bindings, and to stress the need for sound book conservation and restoration.  

 

FEATURED ARTISTS include: Servane Briand, Carolee Campbell, Rebecca Chamlee, Susan Collard, Debra Disman, Anna Embree, Jean Gillingwators, Iversen Goswell, Karen Hanmer, Paula Jull, Marie Kelzer, Janet Martorello, Elaine Nishizu, Bonnie Thompson, Norman, Patricia Owen, Todd Pattison, Beth Redmond, Sue Ann Robinson, Laura Russell, Vicke Selke, Farida Sunada, Alice Vaughan, and Pamela Wood.

 

This exciting exhibition and related programming is made possible by the lead support from The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation with additional generous support from the Bess J. Hodges Foundation.

 

Long Beach has a rich history of nationally and globally successful artists who have left an indelible mark on the art world and LBMA has been a proud member of the Long Beach art scene for nearly 70 years. To see more of LBMA’s collection, visit the Museum’s website at lbma.org. 

 

The Long Beach Museum of Art inspires passion for the contemporary arts in diverse audiences through exhibitions and collections, arts education, historic preservation and arts and cultural programming. The Museum is one of only six percent (6%) of American museums accredited by the American Association of Museums. 

 

2300 E Ocean Blvd 

Long Beach, CA 90803 

www.lbma.org 

 

Founded in 1950, the Long Beach Museum of Art houses nearly 4,000 works in a wide-range of media within the growing permanent collection. Providing exceptional arts education, public programming, community outreach, and award-winning exhibitions of historical, modern, and contemporary art, the Museum sparks reflection, inspiration, discovery and connection – to oneself, the community, and the world around us. Located on a magnificent bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Museum campus features a historic mansion and carriage house, expansive galleries and gardens, the Museum Store, and oceanfront dining at Claire’s at the Museum restaurant. 

 

The Museum’s Hartman Pavilion, Galleries and the Museum Store are open Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors age 62 and older, free for Members and children under 12. Admission is free for everyone on Thursday evening from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and half price admission all day Friday. Claire’s at the Museum restaurant is open Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

For more information, please call (562) 439-2119 or visit www.lbma.org

 

356 E 3rd Street 

Long Beach, CA 90802 

www.lbma.org 

 

LBMA Downtown is open to the public Wednesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and every second Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

For more information, please call (562) 317-7300 or visit www.lbma.org