Book Arts Resources

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.