Puget Sound Book Artists will celebrate 15 years of creative community this summer with a new members’ exhibition opening at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.
The 15th Annual Members’ Exhibition runs from June 4 through July 31 at Collins Memorial Library and features work from 69 artists exploring this year’s theme: “15.”
Puget Sound Book Artists is a regional organization focused on promoting the art of handmade and artist-created books across the Pacific Northwest.
According to organizers, artists interpreted the theme in a wide range of ways, including reflections on friendship, artistic growth, collections of artifacts, historical topics, and the symbolism behind the number itself.
The exhibition marks a major milestone for the regional nonprofit arts organization, which launched its first show in 2011 with 26 participating artists.
“It’s really gratifying to think back over the last fifteen years and reflect upon all the accomplishments of this organization,” PSBA founder Jane Carlin said.
“When I first arrived in Tacoma, I was hopeful it would be possible to form a book arts community — the growth and influence of PSBA is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Carlin also called it “wonderful” to see the organization’s growth reflected in this year’s exhibition entries.
Former PSBA president Mark Hoppmann said the 2026 exhibition is dedicated to the late MalPina Chan, who helped curate the organization’s inaugural exhibition alongside Lucia Harrison.
“Our inaugural exhibition in 2011 was curated by Lucia Harrison and the late MalPina Chan to whom this exhibition is dedicated,” Hoppmann said.
“In their opening statement they wrote, ‘Artists’ Books by nature are intimate, interactive, and engage the reader.’ That observation remains true today as we share the work of 69 artists in this milestone exhibition.”
The exhibition will later travel to Olympia, where it will be displayed at The Evergreen State College’s Daniel J. Evans Library from Sept. 28 through Dec. 12.
An opening reception and silent auction will be held Thursday, June 4, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Collins Memorial Library on the University of Puget Sound campus.
The silent auction, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., will feature book- and art-related items benefiting PSBA educational programs. Remarks and awards presentations will follow from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Puget Sound Book Artists website.
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