Shooting Stick

Combat Paper Project and Peace Paper Visit Montserrat

2011-10-04T21:36:00.001-07:00

In conjunction with Montserrat's symposium "For the Record, Searching for Objectivity in Global Conflict" at the end of September, Combat Paper and Peace Paper conducted a fantastic, energizing workshop for the printmaking and book arts students.

Laurie Corral of Asheville Bookworks visits Montserrat

2011-10-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

From left are Laurie Corral of Bookworks in Asheville, NC, Montserrat College of Art President Steve Immerman and Asst. Prof. Sarah Smith, Book Arts Coordinator.

Laurie Corral came visit while in the Beverly area. It was great to show her around Montserrat and wow her with our book arts activities (she happen to show up when Combat Paper Project was visiting!). She started Asheville Bookworks 7 years ago and it's become a very vibrant part of the North Carolina book arts scene. There's lots of opportunities there for emerging and not so emerging artists. I think Laurie will be seeing a lot of our students over the years.

Every year Asheville Bookworks puts on BookOpolis. This is the 7th year that BookOpolis has showcased contemporary book arts & original prints. BookOpolis is a weekend event displayed in the BookWorks Gallery. The weekend opens with a grand reception and unveiling on Friday evening. On Saturday, BookOpolis remains on view with an open house demonstrating the unique tools of the trade associated with papermaking, letterpress printing, book binding, and printmaking. Visitors can meet with artists and participate in guided projects. After the BookOpolis weekend, a selection of work juried from the full submission of artists’ books and prints, including Sarah Smith’s, will remain on display in the BookWorks Gallery in the Capital Works Show through Nov. 28. Margaret Mahan of Combat Paper Project shows Laurie and her family some of their paper.

Margaret Mahan of Combat Paper Project shows Laurie and her family some of their paper.

Bill Hanscom Shows how to Make Bone Folders

2011-10-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Bill Hanscom, Montserrat bookbinding and typography instructor shows students how to make their own bonefolders from Moose, Elk, Caribou and Deer bones.

Montserrat Bookbinding 2 students visti North Bennet Street School

2011-10-04T20:39:00.001-07:00

Jeff Altepeter, head of the Bookbinding Department at North Bennet Street School in the North End of Boston showed Montserrat's Bookbinding 2 class some things about working with leather when we visited in the spring. I think some future leather workers were created that day!

Amos Kennedy visits Montserrat!

2011-10-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Book artist, letterpress printer, and paper maker Amos Kennedy Jr. occupies a printmaking studio in rural Akron, Alabama. His posters and books share a traditional American aesthetic, promoting social justice and historical inquiry into our nation's past. Amos came to visit us, show his movie and work with Montserrat's students in March. It was a fabulous time, full of energy and ideas.

ON TOUR: Letterpress Gig Posters, March 8-April 8

2011-03-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Showing now Montserrat's Carol Schlosberg Alumni Gallery until April 8th is a show of letterpress gig posters and broadsides by Hammerpress, Yee-Haw Industries, Hatch Show Print and Amos Kennedy Jr. The show was curated by faculty member, Sarah Smith and is accompanied with a visit from Amos Kennedy Jr.

Book artist, letterpress printer, and paper maker Kennedy Jr. occupies a printmaking studio in rural Akron, Alabama. His posters and books share a traditional American aesthetic, promoting social justice and historical inquiry into our nation's past. There will be a few events surrounding Kennedy's visit. First, he will give an artist talk on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:30. Then on the 24th from 6-7:30 PM there will be a screening of "Proceed and Be Bold", a documentary about Kennedy.
For details check the Montserrat website and click on Galleries.

Two Montserrat Students with books in the Boston Printmakers, Arches Student Show

2011-03-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

It was a big turn out for this year's Boston Printmaker's Biennial and Arches student show at the Danforth Museum and the reception was packed. We are very proud of all the Montserrat printmakers and book artists whose work made it into the show. Here are the two students who had books in the show.

Kate St. Cyr and her book, "Lapin" which won the
Boston Printmakers Student Award

"Lapin" photocopy transfer, collage and rabbit fur

Alexa Szilagyi and her book, "My Letterpress Final"
which proves that exasperation can produce great results!

More Student Work from Fall Semester 2010

2011-03-01T16:24:00.000-08:00

Lisa Hersey, Bookbinding 2, Project 1, Specimen

Kate St. Cyr, Bookbinding 2, Project 1, Specimen

Jon Brown, Bookbinding 2, Project 1, Specimen

Debbie Gray, Bookbinding 2, Project 1, Specimen

Brittany Carr, Bookbinding 2, Project 3, Communication

Student Work from Fall Semester, 2010

2011-02-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

Kate St. Cyr, Bookbinding 2, Project 1: Specimen

Lisa Hersey, Letterpress 2, Project 3: Communication

Kellie O'Hara, Bookbinding 2, Project 1: Specimen

Debbie Gray, Bookbinding 2, Project 3: Communication

Jon Brown, Bookbinding 2, Project 3: Communication

Noelle Magaw, Bookbinding 2, Project 1:Specimen

Brittany Carr, Bookbinding 2, Project 1: Specimen

Bound to Happen: Artists' Books from the Collection of Sarah Smith

2010-10-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sarah Smith will give a "slide" talk about artists books and the show in the Paul Scott Library at 11:30am on November 1st. In the mean time, Sarah talks about the show here:

Artists' Books come in many forms. Some are unique sculptural works; others printed in limited editions, finely printed and finely bound. Still others are more commercially printed and widely disseminated. The concepts behind the books also vary widely from the personal, political, narrative, analytical, humorous and a myriad of other angles.

My collection strives to be a combination of the various types of artists' books, although it tends to lean toward the offset-lithographically printed, larger editioned (affordable) books. Sometimes these are referred to as democratic multiples, in that they are intended for the larger audience rather than just art dealers and collectors. This is where I've seen my own work existing in the world as well.

I began collecting mainly as an interest in books, in particular, books with odd (or so it seemed to me at the time when I was about 19), unexpected content. Then as now, I collected as inspiration for my own work and my students' work. I realize when I look at the whole collection (which this show contains a portion of) that I gravitate toward books of lists or collections. The book titled "Sorry" is a good example of this. It takes time and more digging through the book to ascertain the meaning of the concept. It's not the traditional narrative structure, but a simple theme and variations within. Buzz Spector's book displaying his library lined up in order of size is another good example of the list and categorizing. Why am I interested in these books? Maybe it has to do with my own impulse to categorize (perfect for putting away lead type!). I tend look at the differences and similarities between things and people, wondering how the same basic form can end up being so very different.

I acquired some of these books as gifts, some were traded for other artwork and many were purchased at various book fairs, conferences and bookstores (Printed Matter in New York has seen a lot of business from me). I'm glad I could share some of them and invite everyone to touch them and study them.

The B LASTER can and Perry Tymeson's visit

2010-10-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

Perry Tymeson came to our shop to work on the Vandercooks 215 and 219. We learned so much from him, from oils and cleaners to what shops in the country are doing what to the weird special or "sweet" electric power in Holyoke. Best yet, we learned how to fix, adjust and take care of our Vandercooks. Thanks Perry!