Open Library: Artists’ Books

April 2022

Organized in conjunction with Open MFA, “Open Library: Artists’ Books” is a three day series inviting artists to participate and contribute to a collaborative collection of artists’ books.

The temporary library features artists’ books for participants to explore and materials to create new artists’ books that can then be donated to the collection. This project is a collaborative and playful event encouraging Houstonians to come together outdoors, share their stories, and find meaning in material art objects and physical spaces rather than digital platforms. The collection will then be archived and presented in Open MFA’s upcoming exhibition at Flatland Gallery in May 2022. Books will be returned at the conclusion of the exhibition.

To launch the collection, the library will feature Erica Reed Lee’s Sewn Book (2022), Mt Yale in Blue (2021),and From Here to There (2020). Collaborative editions of The Gratitude Circle Mail Project will also be featured in the collection. This mail art project was begun in late 2020 during the pandemic and invited four participants to create a collaborative accordion booklet linked together by moments of gratitude.

Day 1: Saturday, April 2nd, 12-2 pm, Lawndale Garden
Day 2: Sunday, April 10th, 12-2 pm, Menil Park
Day 3: In conjunction with Open MFA Monthly Meet-Up on Tuesday, April 12th, 5:30-7 pm, Lawndale

An ongoing list of artist’s book resources specific to the Houston area is available here.

Funding

As of April 2022, this project and the related exhibition are not yet funded. If you are interested in funding this project, please reach out to Open MFA.

About Open MFA

Open MFA is an artist collective that provides resources for artists to continue their education, whether they already have a University MFA or intend to pursue one in the future, and connect with other artists based in the Houston area. Open MFA hosts monthly meet-ups, organizes group exhibitions, and shares online resources. Their most recent exhibition, featuring work by 14 Houston artists, was curated by Megan Olivia Ebel and shown at Raven Tower.