What Is An Artist Book? An artist’s book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the form or function of “book” as inspiration. It is the artistic initiative seen in the illustration, choice of materials, creation process, layout and design that makes it an art object. – Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, 2012

An early proponent of the medium, Women’s Studio Workshop (WSW) has produced over 245 limited edition artists’ books since our publishing imprint began in 1979. Our publishing schedule typically includes 3-5 artist’s publications annually across three genres of focus, including handmade artists’ books, zines and print multiples.

At WSW the artist is the leading visionary for the project and the artist’s publications are chosen through an open application and panel selection process. Artist books can have a traditional book structure with a cover and sequential pages, they can be sculptural objects, or elaborately folded constructions. WSW books are characterized by the combination of media available at WSW, and may incorporate handmade paper, letterpress, silkscreen, intaglio, relief, risograph, photo-based elements, and/or ceramics. Typically hand printed and bound in our studios, these books are usually created onsite during the artist’s residency with our staff overseeing and supporting the production process at every step.

Aside from our on-site archive, our books are in collections world-wide, including 12 institutions that are repositories for all our publications: Ohio University, University of Delaware, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (Cynthia Sears Collection), Library of Congress, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Michigan, Vassar College. Rochester Institute of Technology, Scripps College, Indiana University, Bucknell University, and Yale University. For sales information, contact [email protected] 

WSW staff regularly travels around the country to book fairs and is available to lecture at your institution, school, or community groups. If interested, please contact [email protected].