THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHIC BOOKMAKING:
Inspiration, Creation & Acquisition

A four-day online Symposium: Susan kae Grant with Mary Virginia Swanson
joined by Special Guests
Book Artists, Maureen Cummins, Cig Harvey, Ann Fessler, María Verónica San Martín; Book Designers and Publishers, Lewis Chaplin (Loose Joints) and Gianluca & Gianmarco Gamberini (L’Artiere Edizioni); Special Collection Librarian, Marieke Van Der Steenhoven (Bowdoin College); and Specialty Photographer Richard Klein.

 

Welcome to our Course Homepage. Here you will find:

  • WELCOME LETTER:
    A copy of the PDF welcome letter that was sent to you before the start of this Symposium via email. Please click HERE.

  • SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE:
    A copy of the schedule that was sent to you before the start of the Symposium via email. Please click HERE

  • ZOOM LINK:
    The Zoom link to log in will be posted here prior to each session. We will also send the link via email the day before. Please check your spam folder and save us as your contact to be sure to receive our emails.

  • VIDEOS:
    Video recordings of each session in chronological order. Videos will be posted within 48 hours of completion of each session.
    Please note that these videos are intended for your personal use only and will be available until September 7, 2025.

  • RESOURCE DOCUMENTS:
    Downloadable PDFs of selected resources discussed during each session.

  • ZOOM CHAT:
    We will upload a copy of each session’s Chat so that any important resources, questions, or comments that may have been shared during the session will be saved and downloadable.

  • PARTICIPANT LIST (Optional):
    Here you can find a shared document where you and all other participants have the option to add your information to connect with each other. Please click HERE.

 

WEEK 1: INSPIRATION & WHAT'S POSSIBLE: STRUCTURE OF THE VISUAL BOOK

Date: Saturday, May 10 from 11 am to 6 pm (US EDT)

Examining Options: Small Press, Self-published and Limited Edition Handmade Artists' Books - SkG & MVS

In Conversation: “Innovative Photobooks Today - SkG & MVS

Close-up Views: "The Anatomy of the Book: Key Elements and Options for Binding Structures - SkG

Special Guest Artist: Maureen Cummins (See bio here)
“Reframing History: The Archival Explorations of Maureen Cummins”

 

WEEK 2: VISUALIZING FORM & CONTENT THROUGH RESEARCH & DESIGN

Date: Saturday, May 17 from 11 am to 6 pm (US EDT)

Special Guest Designer: Caleb Cain Marcus (Luminosity Lab) (See bio here)
“Concepts through Design & Typography”

In Conversation: “Creative Book Design” SkG & MVS

Close-up Views: “Experimentation & Intentionality with Image & Text” - SkG

Special Guest Artist: Cig Harvey (See bio here)
“An Artist's Journey into Bookmaking”

 

WEEK 3: EXPERIMENTATION, MOCK-UPS & ALTERNATIVE BOOK FORMS

Date: Saturday, May 31 from 11 am to 6 pm (US EDT)

Close-up Views: “Designing & Materializing the Mock-up” - SkG

Special Guest Artist: Ann Fessler (See bio here)
“Untold Stories: About Family - About History”

In Conversation: “Alternative Book Forms” - SkG & MVS

Special Guest Artist: María Verónica San Martín (See bio here)
“Reconstructing Memory and Resistance Through Artist Books, Installation and Performance”

 

WEEK 4: PATHWAYS TO PRODUCTION, COLLECTORS & ACQUISITION

Date: Saturday, May 31 from 11 am to 6 pm (US EDT)

In Conversation: “Artists in Collaborations with Production Studios & Small Presses” - SkG & MVS

Special Guest Publishers: Gianluca & Gianmarco Gamberini (L’Artiere Edizioni) (See bio here)
“Vision and Artistry in the Realm of Independent Publishing”

Special Guest Librarian: Marieke Van Der Steenhoven (See bio here) (Collections, Education and Outreach, Bowdoin College)
“Missions, Collecting Strategies & Educational Initiatives”

Close-up Views: “The Prospectus: Purpose, Design & Promotion” - SkG & MVS

Special Guest: Richard Klein (See bio here)
“Photographing Books for Marketing Purposes”