Art Books Cleveland (ABC) continues its expansion and outreach both through its exhibits and through efforts to attract new members.

In 2024, ABC exhibited at BAYarts, in Bay Village, and the Artists Archive of the Western Reserve (AAWR). Both were new venues for the organization and they drew audiences that were surprised and intrigued by the range of work displayed by book artists.

The BAYarts exhibit theme was ABC does the ABCs. Abecedaria have a long history, which probably dates back to the fifteenth century. These alphabet books take many forms, and ABC members have, since the inception of the organization, designed and exhibited such books using a wide range of forms and media.
The exhibit at the Artists Archive of the Western Reserve focused on Book Art Uncovered, a broad theme that encouraged creativity and variety in the works submitted. Work in the two shows appealed to printmakers and fiber artists, among others who were inspired to check out ABC as they realized the potential to apply their media for innovative book structures and content.

That trend promises to continue in 2025 with a spring show, 18 Years of Art Books Cleveland, planned to open at the Pinwheel Gallery on March 7, 2025. In the fall, ABC will again exhibit at the Morgan Conservatory, with the theme Scraps. And a window exhibit is planned at Appletree Books in October.
While ABC has expanded its reach through exhibits in new and familiar spaces, interaction with the community has also expanded. During its monthly meetings, ABC members have visited Intermuseum Conservation Association, Verne Gallery, and other art venues. These visits encourage creativity among the book artists in the group and appeal to those joining ABC who are interested in the history and scope of book arts, or who are avid collectors.

At the same time, ABC members have been showing their work in numerous other local and national shows, yet again increasing awareness of the range and creativity of books as artistic expressions. Among ABC members exhibiting elsewhere in 2024 are Yuko Kimura (Verne Gallery), Karen Beckwith (AAWR), Patricia Brett (Tri-C Gallery West and The Morgan), Gene Epstein (Loganberry Books Annex Gallery and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church), Nicole D’Alessandro (Cleveland Photo Fest and Geauga Park District West Woods Nature Center), Shari Wolf (Northern Ohio Textile Artists Inaugural Show at the Beachwood Community Center Art Gallery and Tri-C Gallery East), Lisa Schonberg (Tri-C Gallery East), Celeste Stauber (International Jane Austen Conference and Fairmount Center for the Arts Chardon), Phyllis Brody and Anne Weissman (Altered Book Group show at Loganberry Books).

Interested in books? Interested in art? Check out Art Books Cleveland.

ART BOOKS CLEVELAND
c/o Strong Bindery
13015 Larchmere Boulevard
Shaker Heights, OH 44020
216-231-0001

EVENTS:
18 Years of Art Books Cleveland, opening Friday, March 7, 2025, at Pinwheel Gallery, located at 2019 Broadview Road, Cleveland 44109, 216.220.7858.