Discover the World of The Book Arts
For centuries books were the source of power, wealth and status. In the early days where manuscripts were hand illuminated and scripted by hand, only a handful of people were able to own books. Then came Gutenberg who invented movable type and the rest is history. Books moved to the masses over time, and printing presses flourished making the written word available to all. With the advent of the industrial revolution and the mechanization of book production, binding and printing another revolution occurred... the return to finely bound, illuminated and finely printed speciality books. At the forefront was William Morris and his Kelmscott Press. He produced Limited Edition Fine Press Books using time honored techniques resulting in magnificently designed books , bound by hand and printed with love by hand.
Today the whole industry of print is in flux as the democratization of book publishing and dissemination of the written word online changes once again the face of books. With this has come the revival in the interest in finely bound, individually created and designed books by artists, print makers, book binders and fine press publishers. Discover the world of the book arts.
Arts on Atlantic is proud to bring to you a selection of works in the book arts by primarily Canadian bookbinders and book artists. Regular programming of book arts related exhibitions is part of the gallery's mandate.
A permanent exhibition space, The Van Sandwyk Reading Room, has comfortable club chairs and a library feel to allow you spend time with our special books. |
