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Art of the Book & Paper

FFRPL is a Founding Sponsor of Central Library’s Art of the Book & Paper exhibit. The first show was held in 2011, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rochester Public Library. The exhibit has grown to include work from all over the world. Learn more about Art of the Book & Paper (link opens new window)

The 2025 exhibit will be on display at the Central Library August 18 through November 15, 2025.

The artist reception and awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 5pm-7pm at Central Library (introductory remarks and the presentation of awards will begin at 6pm).

Related Library Resources

The Monroe County Library System has thousands of titles (books, Blu-Ray, DVD’s) related to artist books, book making, handmade books, bookbinding, altered books, paper sculpture, creating paper pop-up books and other forms of book art and book arts.

Browse the catalog: roccitylibrary.org (link opens new window)

Categories of work

Artist Books are works of art in the form of a book. They are often published in small editions, though sometimes they are produced as one-of-a-kind objects referred to as ‘unique.’ Artist Books can include scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas, loose items contained in a box, and bound printed sheets. Artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, but the artist book is primarily a late 20th century art form.

Altered Books are old or new books that have been creatively recycled into works of art. They can be rebound, painted, cut, burned, folded, added to, collaged, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, drilled or otherwise adorned.

Paper Sculptures are artworks created as sculptures using paper as the predominant material. These sculptures are three-dimensional and can be either free-standing or slightly raised from the backgroup (bas relief). Paper sculpture can be functional or non-functional.

Winners for the first 10 years of the Art of the Book exhibit (link opens new window)