The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

What better place to have an art show about books, altered and those that alter, than a local independent bookstore? The Outsider’s Studio presented “Artist Books and Altered Books” at
Hamish & Henry Booksellers with an opening reception on Saturday, August15.

Andrea Brown, who founded the Outsider’s Studio, (bringing the arts to other spaces and places) with her husband Jeff Lackey, described the difference between an ‘altered book’ and a ‘book that alters.’

“An altered book is any book, old or new, that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art. They can be re-bound, painted, cut, burned, folded, added to, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, drilled or otherwise adorned…and yes, it is legal.”

“On the other hand, a ‘book that alters’ – book arts, is a relatively new genre which celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that can take on many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and bookbinding to experimental art-making and self-publishing techniques, there is a limitless creative evolution to the book arts movement,” said Brown.

Twenty-four artists participated in the book show: Pati Airey, Eric Baylin, Phylis Bilick, Tate Billings, Andrea Brown, Penelope Cake, Sherry Camhy, Claire Coleman, Vicki Ducham, Ann Finneran, Kathie Fitzgerald, Nick Forte, Elise Freda, Luis Garcia Jr., Kristin Gronbeck, Walter Gurbo, Joanna Hartell, Haile Ra Helper, Jim Karpowicz, Joan O’Connor, Taka and Bennett Rothenberg, Stacy Wakefield-Forte, Susan Ward, and the Women’s Studio Workshop.

During the opening reception, the bookstore was packed to overflowing, as the crowd ‘looked at books,’ while surrounded by shelves filled with works ranging from Shakespeare to Hillerman, and Burke to Cussler.

The not-to-be-missed show runs through Sunday, September 13. For information and hours call Hamish & Henry Booksellers at 845-439-8029, and/or visit the Outsider’s Studio website at www.theoutsidersstudio.com.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Tweaking Books visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.