Come to the 30th Annual New Jersey Book Arts Symposium and Exhibition!

Possible Futures: The Thirtieth Annual New Jersey Book Arts Symposium (NJBAS) will be held on Friday November 1st, 2024, from 10:00 am to 5:15 pm at the Teleconference Lecture Hall on the fourth floor of the Archibald S. Alexander Library at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. (close to several major NJ roadways and accessible by rail from NYC and Philadelphia). Free parking is available in the Rutgers parking deck next to the library as well as two lots across the street.

The event is free and open to the public.

The day begins with a hands-on workshop led by Catherine LeCleire and Suzie Tuchman, and accompanied by a continental breakfast, with plenty of coffee. All attendees, regardless of experience, are welcome to attend.

The formal program will consist of eight artist presenters. Following opening introductions to celebrate our anniversary, artists Patricia Malarcher, Lois Morrison, and Irmari Nacht, and renowned chef, author, and artists’ book collector Giovanna Bellia La Marca, will discuss possible futures with reference to their past-and-ongoing work in what we have named our “Wise Women Panel.” After the panel, featured artists Colette Fu, Liz Mitchell, Iviva Olenick and Tammy Wofsey will show and talk about their work. Karen Guancione, NJBAS Artistic Director, will serve as symposium moderator and emcee. The audience will be able to engage all the artist-presenters in an afternoon Q and A and share their news during an open mic session.

Attendees will enjoy a sit-down lunch courtesy of the Rutgers University Libraries in the exhibition area adjoining the auditorium. The exhibition, curated by the NJBAS Curator Amanda Thackray, includes artworks by all symposium artists. For those who finish lunch early, a brief lunchtime seminar will be given by Michael Joseph, NJBAS Founder, who will present a lavishly illustrated update on a work-in-progress, “The Prehistory of the Artists’ Book” (working title).

Concluding the formal program, Judith K. Brodsky, Professor Emeritus and Founder of the Brodsky Center, will share her responses to the day’s presentations. Immediately following, attendees are invited to show /swap /sell their own books and book art at The Book Artist Jam. In the hope of counteracting some of the world’s stresses, brief, guided meditation breaks will be led by Kate Van Riper.

Adriana Cuervo, Director of Special Collections & University Archives, and Caroline Muglia, Associate Vice President for Campus Libraries will welcome attendees to the symposium.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com

To reserve parking, please register by using the Possible Futures Vehicle Registration form

Campus Map

Registration is at the door. For more information, please write to: Fernanda H. Perrone (hperrone@libraries.rutgers.edu)