The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is seeking submissions for Material World, an exploration of materiality of the book form. The challenge is to use non-traditional mediums and structures. Books, as most people know them, are made of a pretty short list of materials: paper, leather, parchment, silk thread, linen thread, and board. Think outside the book! Have you been collecting something with the plan to make something? Now is your time to use it.

While this project is a challenge to use a variety of different materials, we must be respectful of the host institution. No food, mold, or live books. If you are unsure feel free to send us an email. The Exhibition will be on display on the first floor at the Van Pelt Library of the University of Pennsylvania.

The final product should be a book of sorts. The only limitation is size
Size limitations: The max footprint for your book’s display should be no larger than 25”x 15” x 5”.
Shipped books MUST fit in a USPS flat rate box.

Important Dates
March 29, 2024 – Intent to Participate
June 21, 2024 – Books and Label Info Due
August 27th – Install
September 4th – Opens
December 9, 2024 – Closes
December 10, 202 – Deinstall
TBD – Visit to Materials Library at the Fisher Fine Arts Library for Inspiration
https://www.library.upenn.edu/finearts/materials-library
TBD – Reception/Artist Talk

Reminders will only be sent if you e-mail us with the intent to participate.
Please direct all communication to the delawarevalley@guildofbookworkers.org

More info

• You must be a member of the Delaware Valley Chapter for the duration of the project.
• Participants will be responsible for their own postage. A prepaid return label must be e-mailed to
  the DVC for return. Books will ship directly to UPenn. Address will be provided after commitment to
  participate.
• Local drop off can be scheduled. Drop off will be to UPenn.
• Questions? Email Valeria: delawarevalley@guildofbookworkers.org

Info about Flat Rate Boxes

If you are not dropping off and picking up your book, your book MUST fit in a USPS flat rate box.
Boxes come in small, medium, large and a bunch of other sizes.

For more info
https://store.usps.com/store/results/shipping-supplies-flat-rate/_/N-1bzu2g5

Images of some of the gallery space. Kristin for scale. Wall behind the cases will change to reflect the exhibition.

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers announces its 2023 collaborative project and exhibition, “Whisper to Me: a conversation through time”  

In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American to publish a book of poetry making this year the 250^th Anniversary of the publication. In celebration of the anniversary, the DVCGBW has commissioned the 2022-23 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Telicia Darius to write a poem in response. Members of the DVCGBW are invited to create new work to celebrate these two poets. These works will be exhibited at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in November 2023.

Phillis Wheatley, born circa 1753, was brought to North America aboard the Phillis when she was around 7-8 years old. She was sold to the Wheatley family, who taught her to read and write. Phillis was emancipated shortly after the publication of her book. She married John Peters and died in 1784 at about the age of 31. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/phillis-wheatley

Seventeen-year-old Telicia Darius is a high school senior at Hardy Williams Mastery Charter School in southwest Philadelphia. She will be attending Stanford University in the fall. Philadelphia Tribune article about her appointment of Youth Poet Laureate: https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/free-library-of-philadelphia-names-2022-23-youth-poet-laureate/article_54837a7c-416c-5cb7-9830-fce665783a60.html

Requirements:

• Participant must make a minimum edition of two, one for exhibition and one to be given to Telicia Darius. In addition to monetary compensation, DVCGBW has agreed to give Telicia a complete set of the works.
• Telicia Darius’ poetry is under copyright. Using copyrighted text is a new format for DVCGBW and we are committed to protect Telicia Darius’ intellectual property to the best of our ability. Participants in the project will be asked to sign a usage agreement before receiving the text of the poem.
• Telicia Darius has agreed to grant members use of her poem to make a maximum edition of five. For larger editions, negotiations may be taken directly to Telicia Darius: teliciadarious[at]gmail[dot]com
• Participants must be a member of DVCGBW in good standing to receive poem and participate in the exhibition.

Notes:

• Participants are encouraged to place Telicia Darius and Phillis Wheatley in dialogue with each other.
• Phillis Wheatley’s poetry is in the public domain. It is available on google books here:  https://rb.gy/o6ns1b
• In anticipation of questions, the DVC will host a virtual Q&A session on April 22^nd 2023 at 1pm EST.
• Not meeting the exhibition deadline, does not negate agreement signed for use of poem.
• Choosing not to use the poem for this project does not grant future use of poem.
• The DVCGBW reserves the right to refuse work it deems inappropriate for exhibit.

Time Line:

• ASAP respond to delawarevalley@guildofbookworker.org with intention to participate. The Project Collaboration Contract will be emailed, and the poem will be sent upon receipt of the Project Collaboration Contract.
• Q&A session via Zoom: April 22^nd, 2023 1pm EST. A zoom invitation will be sent out for interested parties.
• Optional: presentation of ideas for feedback ( June 1^st)? TBD – at April 22^nd meeting.
• October 1^st 2023 deadline of works wishing to be considered for use in publications/press releases, social media posts, advertising the Exhibition.
• November 1^st HARD DEADLINE for work to arrive at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
• November 2023, opening reception and book handling event.
• Closing: January 2024.

Please share this prospectus widely.

The Bibliophile as Bookbinder: The Angling Binding of S.A. Neff, Jr.
On exhibit August 26 -December 20, 2019

Goldstein Family Gallery, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, Sixth floor
3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

This exhibition explores one man’s passion for the natural world and the world of books. Over five decades ago Mr. Neff began a serious pursuit both of trout and books on the art of angling.

Bound to Conserve: The Art of Angling and the Future of Rivers
Saturday, September 14, 1-7 PM

This symposium, in conjunction with the exhibition, The Bibliophile as Bookbinder: The Angling Bindings of S. A. Neff, Jr., will explore conservation on rivers, bookselling, collecting, and binding, all with a focus on their impact on and relationship with angling.

For more information http://www.library.upenn.edu/about/exhibits-events/neff