Chattanooga Book Arts Collaborative & other news

Last month, a few of my friends who make books got together at my house to talk about building a community of book artists and forming a group to support the growth of the book arts in Chattanooga. The goals for such a group would be to (1) offer regular teaching/learning opportunities for local book artists to develop their skills; (2) create demand for book arts supplies that could be stocked by a local art supply store; (3) develop an interested group of book artists who would support local presentation of book arts workshops by visiting artists; (4) organize and promote local book arts exhibitions; and (5) build the number of local book arts patrons.


While at the John Campbell Folk School last month, I met a member of the Knoxville Book Arts Guild (KBAG). She referred me to Bob Meadows, an accomplished book artist and one of the founders of KBAG. Bob has conducted several workshops/demonstrations in Chattanooga, and his work is carried at the River Gallery. He graciously told me about KBAG, and offered ideas about forming a similar group in Chattanooga.

So…plans are starting to take shape. A new group – the Chattanooga Book Arts Collaborative (CBAC) – will start meetings in January. We are still working to identify a location for regular monthly or bi-monthly meetings (probably on a weekend day); we hope that meetings will be free and open to the public. At each meeting, one CBAC member will lead a book arts demonstration and workshop; supply lists will be distributed in advance. Members will be encouraged to bring examples of their work for “show and tell” at each meeting, offering a fresh source of inspiration to the group. Book art “exchanges” within the group and with other book arts groups (such as KBAG) may be featured. Eventually, we hope that an exhibition of members’ work can be organized, as well.


Plans for CBAC will be finalized later this month, and promotion of the January meeting will begin soon. Already, as the word is getting out, we have identified at least ten people who are interested in being a part of the new group. Stay tuned for more information… and if you are interested in participating in the CBAC, please email me at nsbernhardt@aol.com.  All levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome.

Other news…

I presented another book-making workshop during October. The group of four women made accordion books tied with ribbons, as well as small books with folded pages inspired by a Bob Meadows creation that opens to form a star shape.

And finally, I send a special thanks to Tony Mines for including me in educational workshops presented by art supply manufacturer representatives at Art Creations. Books offer the opportunity to incorporate all sorts of materials and techniques … so I was happy to learn about simple gold leaf and about encaustic paints. These new materials may just show up in some books soon!