ABOUT Bay Area Book Artists (BABA)
Bay Area Book Artists is a group of independent artists bound together by a passion for the book arts. Learn more about our member benefits on the Membership page.
OUR MISSION
- To create artists books that showcase our members’ talent, skills and artistry.
- To inspire artistic excellence, innovation and creativity within a thriving community of book artists.
- To promote book arts and educate the public in the creation and appreciation of book artists and book arts.
- To make lasting contributions to the book arts through our programs, exhibitions and events.
BOOK ARTS
Book Art refers to any of a number of art forms used in the process of creating or altering a book. The art of conceptualizing and designing a book, bookbinding, illustration, calligraphy, printing, paper sculpture, and typesetting all fall under the category of book arts. Book Art also encompasses Altered Books, an art form where discarded books are transformed into sculptural works of art.
Most frequently Book Art is presented as handmade books in small editions or unique works of art called Artists’ Books. There are fine artists who make books and book artists who produce work exclusively in that medium, as well as illustrators, typographers, writers, poets, book binders, printers and many others who work collaboratively or alone to produce artists’ books.
BABA HISTORY
In 1995 a subgroup of the South Bay Area Chapter, Women’s Caucus for Art led by Jone Small Manoogian formed the “South Bay Bookies”, a group dedicated to the creation and exhibition of Book Art. The group organized book art exhibitions in libraries, museums and galleries around the San Francisco Bay Area. One such exhibition, “Bound to Amaze You: Bookie Art,” was exhibited at the Hyde Park Gallery in 1998. The number and scope of these exhibitions grew until, under the new name, Bay Area Book Artists, the first Book Arts Jam was held at Foothill College in 2002.
BABA continues to organize and participate in numerous events and exhibitions throughout the year. Our 50 active members represent professional and emerging artists in areas including collage and assemblage, graphic design, bookbinding, photography, writing, illustrating, paper arts and printmaking. Our members have won awards and have works in special collections across the country.
BOOK ARTS JAM HISTORY
Our largest event, The Book Arts Jam (short for jamboree) is a free, annual, day-long celebration of the book arts, print arts, and paper arts, designed to entertain and educate the public. (Due to the pandemic the last two Jams were held on line)
The Jam includes a member gallery of exceptional artist books and altered books created by the members, an exhibitor hall featuring more handmade books and book related art, supplies and ephemera, artist’s talks, hands-on activities for the young and young at heart, demonstrations, and a boutique of discounted art supplies and books. BABA has its home in the South San Francisco Bay Area.
To learn more visit the BOOK ARTS JAM page