beauty and the book: celebrating books through history
​and in contemporary art

I have been involved with the book for over 30 years as an artist, writer, illustrator, designer, and reader and love sharing my passion. I invite you to take a visual journey and explore the variety and wonder of the book. If you think books are only made of paper, you're in for a surprise. You’ll see books from around the world made from palm leaves, wood, silk, and vellum that are rolled, folded, and strung as well as sewn followed by some of the amazing work contemporary artists are creating with the book form. After the talk, you’ll have a chance to view and handle books from my collection. Here are some the images that are included in the talk.

Book made of palm leaves from Myanmar

Papyrus scroll from ancient Greece

Account book for a shop from Japan

Accordion book of amate paper from the Otomi of Mexico

Brass book by Shanna Leino

Altered Book by Sharon McCartney

Pop-up Book by Colette Fu

Book of handkerchiefs by Gail Smuda

The talk lasts 45–50 minutes. I bring a display of books from around the world and contemporary artists' books that may be handled. I suggest allowing 20 minutes for this, either before or after the presentation. My fee is $250. if books can be sold, $300. if not. Travel is added for locations 50 miles beyond Newburyport, MA.

Click here to see the link given to attendees to further their knowledge of the book and its history.
Click here for information about Susan's other presentations.
Click here to contact Susan to schedule a talk.