The 31st Annual New Jersey Book Arts Symposium

The New Jersey Book Arts Symposium will take place at the Archibald S. Alexander Library at Rutgers University–New Brunswick on Friday, November 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will be the symposium’s final year at Rutgers. In accordance with this year’s theme, We the People, the symposium will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S Constitution. “The people” refers to the community, both near and far, generated by the New Jersey Book Arts Symposium over 31 years of art making, writing, speaking, and fellowship.

The New Jersey Book Arts Symposium (NJBAS) is a daylong event that presents contemporary work by living New Jersey book artists and considers issues of current relevance to practitioners within the field of the book arts, and to the cultural perception and definition of The Book. Besides its distinctive focus on New Jersey, the NJBAS also distinguishes itself by looking at work in all aspects of the book arts—the ongoing practice of traditional arts, such as typography, bookbinding, papermaking, calligraphy, illustration, and book design, alongside the innovative production of artists' books, bookworks, or book objects.

The day begins with a hands-on workshop led by Catherine LeCleire and Suzie Tuchman. All attendees, regardless of experience, are welcome to attend. Featured artists this year include Henry Charles, Barbara Henry, Warren Lehrer, Gordon Murray, Miriam Schaer, Pamela Scheinman, Judith Sloan, and Sally Willowbee. Tammy Wofsey is the artist in residence. Karen Guancione, NJBAS artistic director, will serve as symposium moderator and emcee. For those who finish lunch early, a brief lunchtime talk will be given by Michael Joseph, NJBAS founder, and at the end of the day, Judith K. Brodsky, professor emeritus and founder of the Brodsky Center, will share her responses to the day’s presentations. The audience will be able to engage all the artist presenters via morning and afternoon question-and-answer sessions and an open mic, in which audience members can share their news. A pop-up exhibition will be curated by NJBAS curator Amanda Thackray.

In the past, the policy of the NJBAS has been to invite artists who have never spoken at the event before. This year, because it is the last year at Rutgers, the organizers have invited old friends to once again share their book art with us. To include as many as possible, four morning artists and four afternoon artists will present 10-minute flash talks in panels lasting 40 minutes, each followed by opportunities for audience members to ask questions.

For the grand finale, audience members will share artwork and good company in a revived and extended book arts jam that will start in midafternoon and complete the day. Attendees are encouraged to bring something to share or sell.

As usual, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and admission is free. Parking is also free withadvance registration.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.