Mission

The Guild strives to encourage the education of its members in all forms of the book arts and to that end sponsors lectures and workshops, often co-sponsored by the University of Washington Libraries and/or School of Art, longtime supporters of the Guild. To enhance the local community's understanding of book arts, each year a number of leading book arts practitioners from around the country are invited to present a slide lecture overview of their work. These presentations offer the Guild's members exposure to a wide range of book making as well as an opportunity to meet book artists and examine their work first hand. The Book Arts Guild's aim is to provide programs which explore every aspect of the book arts from traditional fine press printing, publishing and/or binding to one-of-a-kind artist's books, conceptual bookworks and artist's book installations.

Instructional workshops offered throughout the year address technical skills as well as the concept and philosophy of making books. Popular classes have included a diverse array of bookbinding methods, box construction, letterpress printing, printmaking, papermaking, woodblock cutting, paper decorating and much more. The wide spectrum of interests of the Book Arts Guild ensures that program topics are varied and include opportunities for beginners as well as practicing professionals. The Guild has also sponsored exhibitions of members' work and tours of members' studios.