📆 Saturday, May 11th + Sunday, May 12th
⏰ 11 am – 5 pm
📍 Washington Hall: 153 14th Ave, Seattle
👀 See the full event schedule here
Remember that TV show Hoarders? Where they show homes that would give Marie Kondo a heart attack? Well, I am a BOOK HOARDER. It’s a genuine obsession that’s quite common among book nerds. And if you, too, have a stack of books on your bedside table that keeps growing, come with me to check out this year’s Seattle Art Book Fair. The multi-day, free festival celebrates independent art publishing. Held at the historic Washington Hall, it’ll feature publishers, artists, designers, and exhibitors. The fest also includes talks, art installations, and events.
What is an art book, though? Basically, art books are the intersection of art + publishing, where the book is the artwork. Often, they combine modalities like your favorite fusion restaurant, blending what we know as a “book” with forms, features, or mediums not typically conceptualized as literary. In fact, the “What is a Book” talk during the festival explores the definition of a book throughout history.
Exhibitors range from social justice organizations like Books to Prisoners to indie presses like Girl Noise. See a “Live Reading Musical Spectacular” of a comic book, or visit the “Book Fort” book-making activity table. Plus, there will be a screen printing demo by The Vera Project Screen Printing Studio, where attendees will upcycle used textiles. Check out the full program schedule to see a listing of all events and talks.
There are also free parties. The night before, there’s a launch party at Common Area Maintenance and an AFTER PARTY at the cocktail bar The Hideout. Oh, and for fellow book hoarders, bring a book for the Rainy Day Book Exchange, which is happening all weekend.
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