Austin Book Workers

Austin Book Workers

About Us & Our Activities

Promoting books and book arts in central Texas...

Through programs, workshops, and education, Austin Book Workers aim is to make central Texans -- and the world! -- more aware of books and book arts.

The common thread among us is the love of books. As a group, we explore everything from artists books to fine bindings. Our members are diverse: bookbinders, conservators, calligraphers, retired persons, students, artists, and people who just love books.

Currently, our dues are $12 a year for membership.

You can also join Austin Book Workers through our Membership Form, by printing, filling out, and mailing us the form to the address on the form.

Austin Book Workers meet the 2^nd Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:00pm September-May. Currently we are meeting at various studios of our members. Check the Programs button at the left of your screen for each month's studio location..

Programs

We meet the second Thursday of every month, September through May. Traditionally, September is our Under Cover Friends Revealed program. Programs vary from month to month and center on techniques, tools, and talent.

Book Arts Fair

Fourth of July weekend is Book Arts Fair in central Texas. Austin Museum of Art graciously lets us use their Art School facilities at beautiful Laguna Gloria for this free event, open to the public.

Austin Book Workers and their friends demonstrate book making, book structures, the history of the book, paper making, marbling, suminagashi, paste paper making, gold tooling, calligraphy, letter press printing, and making miniature books. There are several hands-on areas where kids of all ages can have fun playing.

Under Cover Friends!

During the summer, when we don't have regular meetings, members can sign up for an exchange program. Names are secretly drawn out of a hat, and everyone who signs up for UCF is given a secret -- undercover -- friend. Each month (June, July, and August) you send your friend a small gift: a handmade book, a tool, decorative paper, pens, cards... The list of gifts over the years is long and the items are wondrous.

In September we meet and display all the items we've received over the summer. The maker usually tells the receiver what was their favorite item to make.