Book Art Critique Workshop – Fall 2022

A book wrapped in chain-linked wire.
The Crisis of Democracy, (1980) Richard Minsky.
Chemistry in Warfare

Event Info

This class will take place via Zoom on:

  • November 16, 2022, 1pm-3pm ET
  • November 23, 2022, 1pm-3pm ET
  • November 30, 2022, 1pm-3pm ET
  • + A 20-minute one-on-one Zoom session with the Instructor

About the Workshop

This virtual workshop with Center for Book Arts founder Richard Minsky presents a methodology for book art self-critique, curatorial selection, and criticism based on the balance of material, image, and metaphor. Several other critical methodologies for book art are explored, including haptic, metadata, and activist.

Each participant brings a work for discussion: artists should bring their own works, and curators, critics, collectors, and dealers can bring whatever work they would like to discuss.

Each participant will schedule a private Zoom session with Richard in advance of their presentation to the group.


Required materials

  • A reading list will be sent to participants 3 weeks before the start of this workshop.
  • Participants should bring a work of book art to present in the critique group. In-process works are welcome to be presented.

Student Feedback

“I loved the structure. It was amazingly like an in-person workshop. Richard’s knowledge and gentleness and Kelsey’s facilitation created a lovely space.”

“I loved Richard and his teaching style– welcoming, informative, knowledgeable, and all done with good humor and insight.”


About the Instructor

Richard Minsky is a book artist, curator, and historian. He is the founder of Center for Book Arts.

Richard was the recipient of the Guild of Book Workers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and was the 2018 Laureate of the American Printing History Association. In 1960, he bought his first printing press at the age of 13. In 1968 he graduated cum laude in economics from Brooklyn College and was awarded a fellowship at Brown University, where he earned his master’s degree in economics. While at Brown Minsky studied bookbinding with the University’s master binder Daniel Gibson Knowlton. He continued toward a Ph.D. at The New School for Social Research, but left after two years to pursue book art and music. He has received several NEA fellowships and a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant. His unique and limited edition works are widely collected. Richard serves on the Book Art Theory subcommittee of the College Book Art Association. The Richard Minsky Archive is at Yale.


Content Note

This class provides an open space for the critical and civil exchange of ideas. Content in this workshop may include topics and language that some people may find offensive, and we ask everybody to help create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity. The views and opinions expressed by any individuals during this workshop are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or positions of Center for Book Arts.

Minsky adds “This course comes out of years of trying to figure things out long before I had the words to say them. So I ask that participants bear with me if I revert back to rambling stream-of-consciousness outdated crude language. I use an occasional cuss word. I hope you won’t be too bent out of shape by that!”


Images courtesy the Instructor.

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal student-to-teacher ratio. Register now before the remaining spots fill up! Registration for this class closes on November 9, 2022.

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