This is a list of resources related to the book arts on the East Coast of the U.S. with a focus on the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. It is not meant to be extensive, but we welcome any additions.
Book Arts Organizations
American Printing History Association
A national organization with a local chapter, the Chesapeake Chapter.
Baltimore Bibliophiles
A local group of book enthusiasts who meet five times a year. Most meetings are not book art related, but there is typically at least one relevent lecture or event every year or so.
Guild of Book Workers
A national organization with a local chapter, the Potomac Chapter.
Book Arts Organizations Offering Public Courses
Baltimore Print Studios
Offers workshops in letterpress printing and screen printing.
Cat Tail Run Hand Book Bindery in VA
Located in Winchester, VA, this bindery offers 2 day workshops on book restoration, paper marbling, box making, and more throughout the year.
Center for Book Arts in NY
Located in NY, they offer both in person and Zoom classes in book arts.
Frederick Book Arts Center
A non-profit located in Frederick, MD offering workshops on bookbinding, printmaking, photography, letterpress, and more throughout the year.
John C. Campbell Folk School in NC
A school in NC offering weekend courses in various art forms and folk arts including book arts - binding, printing, and papermaking.
Penland School of Craft in NC
This school in NC offers workshops on many arts and crafts. They offer books arts classes including paper making, printing, and binding.
Pyramid Atlantic
A non-profit dedicated to printmaking, paper making and bookmaking, located in Hyattsville, MD. Offers workshops, lectures, residency programs, equipment rentals, and more.
Queen's Ink
Now offering Zoom classes in book arts.
Rare Book School at the University of Virginia
Offers courses related to the history of the book, printing, bibliography, illustration, artists’ books, and more. *Note: These are historical survey courses, not ‘how to’ classes and while they are open to the public, they do require an application.
Places to Purchase Book Arts Supplies
Artist & Craftsman Supply Baltimore
Bookmaking section features supplies for book artists.
Bookmakers, Inc.
Appears to be out of business.
Plaza Art Materials & Picture Framing
A chain with locations in Baltimore, MD - this store has a bookmaking section.
Queen's Ink
Now online only, this is a good source for collage, calligraphy, and other book arts needs.
Talas
Online source for all binding supplies.
Book Arts Fairs
Codex Fair & Symposium
A juried biennial Artist's Book Fair and symposium featuring work from artists around the world. It is held in Richmond, CA.
Fine Press Book Association Fairs - Manhattan and Oxford
The Manhattan FPBA Fair is held annually in conjunction with an antiquarian book fair. The Oxford FPBA Fair is biennial.
Oak Knoll Book Fest
Hosted by Oak Knoll Books in Newcastle, DE, it features private presses from around the country. Due to Covid, this fair has been put on hold - perhaps indefinitely.
Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair
Hosted by Pyramid Atlantic in Hyattsville, MD and features book artists from around the country. It used to be a biennial event; however, there are no known plans for another fair.
Small Press Expo
A fair for independent cartooning and comic arts. It is held yearly in Bethesda, MD, in September.
Tropic Bound
An international Artists' Book Fair held in Miami for the first time in 2022. There are plans to make this a biennial event.
Additional Resources
The Book Arts Web
Features links to book arts-related websites, including educational opportunities, tutorials, professional organizations, and more.
Smithsonian Libraries Artists’ Books
Collection of artists’ books available to researchers for study and inspiration. To view an artist’s book, make an appointment directly with the individual branch of the Smithsonian.
