Events

Guest Artists: Peter and Donna Thomas

Book artists Peter and Donna Thomas, the authors and illustrators of More Making Books By Hand, visited us with their custom-made gypsy van “bookmobile” to present workshops and a lecture. Renowned as creators of miniature and artists’ books since 1977, they have produced over 125 limited editions and 300 one-of-a-kind books, found in collections around the globe. They are active in the Miniature Books Society and the Friends of Dard Hunter and reside in Santa Cruz, California.

Workshop
Exploring Miniature Books: Alternative Structures

Sept. 24 & 25, 2011, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center — In this workshop we made two small format books. The first was an accordion book with a unique “nested pop up accordion fold” structure. The second was a scrolling case bound book, featuring a wooden framework holding a scroll housed in a paper-covered binding. The Saturday section filled up fast so a second section was added on Friday. Several participants came from as far away as the west side of Chicago to attend.

Lecture
Dodge Trucks or Gypsy Wagons: The Literary Book as a Work of Art

Sept. 23, 2010, Kalamazoo Public Library, Van Duesen Room, 315 S. Rose Street — “A literary book is to our Dodge truck as an Artists’ Book is to our Gypsy Wagon. One gets you somewhere practical the other takes you somewhere magical.” —Peter Thomas

Peter Thomas talked about artists’ books, sharing examples of many books he has produced over the years in collaboration with his wife, Donna. He also sang a song or two on his ukulele book. (Yes. You read that correctly!)