2026 Distinguished Alumni Award: Erin Fletcher BB ’12

We are pleased to announce that Erin Fletcher BB ’12 is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award. This annual award is given annually to an NBSS graduate who demonstrates outstanding professional achievements, contributes meaningfully to their industry, and supports the broader craft community through education and mentorship.

Since graduating from the Bookbinding program in 2012, Erin has played a significant role in shaping the education and careers of bookbinders across the country. She has taught numerous NBSS Community Education (CE) classes, was an instructor in the School’s former middle school book arts program, helped NBSS develop and test online short classes during the pandemic, and recently deepened her involvement by joining the Bookbinding Program Advisory Committee. Her teaching extends nationally through workshops at colleges and nonprofits.

Beyond the classroom, Erin is a leader in the bookbinding community. She served as the Guild of Book Workers (GBW) New England Chapter’s Programs Co-Chair from 2012 to 2016, and then as Chapter President from 2016 to 2021, organizing lectures, workshops, and outreach for both members and the public. Her commitment to knowledge-sharing is also evident in her long-running blog through her business Herringbone Bindery, a widely respected resource for aspiring and practicing bookbinders alike.

Erin maintains a vibrant private practice, creating work for both clients and exhibitions. Her work has been exhibited internationally and acquired by private collectors. She is particularly known for her innovative and intricate embroidered leather fine bindings. 

Erin’s passion, skill, and generosity have profoundly shaped the careers of many aspiring bookbinders. Navigating the challenges of self-employment in such a niche craft, she continues to thrive—teaching widely, creating exceptional work, and constantly expanding her own knowledge through ongoing research and professional development.

For all of her accomplishments and talents, we are proud to honor Erin with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award and recognize her work in the field.

Remarks by Erin Fletcher BB ’12, delivered by Jennifer Pellecchia BB ’19 on her behalf

I want to congratulate you all for getting to this point today. I really wish that I could have been here to celebrate in person, but I know that Jenn is going to represent me well. I feel so incredibly honored to be given the Distinguished Alumni Award. Not only did I have the privilege of attending the Bookbinding program, I was also given the opportunity to develop deeper roots at the School when I became a Community Education Instructor. I taught regularly at the school for 10 years before moving to Austin and during that time I got to meet every incoming student and engage with them as they went through their own journey in the program.

When I first found out about North Bennet, I instantly felt like it was the place I was searching for, but like any good bookbinder I did my research. Every department has a type, right? After speaking with several alumni about their time in the program, I came to understand how impactful the training was to their successes after graduation. It’s been 14 years now since I graduated and when I’m asked about my experience the sentiment is the same. But I also like to add that an equal component of my success has come from the community. North Bennet plants the seed, but it’s up to you to nurture its growth as you enter the field.

On my graduation day, while I was sitting cozy with my seven classmates inside our box pew, the future felt endless and bright. Granted it was a perfect sunny day outside filling the church with light, but there was something else in the air. You could just feel the love and support from the other folks in the building. You are quite literally surrounded by people who care about you and want you to succeed, from your family and friends to the faculty and staff. The high walls of those box pews focused my gaze inward to my classmates. Our faces were beaming and it was their support that I felt the most. On that day, my classmates became my colleagues and I knew that we would be there for each other as we entered the field, and I feel that even to this day.

We’ve championed each other’s successes and provided aid for those inevitable roadblocks.

Right before I began writing this speech, I had a video call with someone who was interested in applying to the Bookbinding program. Near the end of our chat, she asked me what I found to be the most difficult in my practice. Jokingly, I wanted to say sanding, but I thought it better to speak more truthfully about failure. It brought me back to one of the lowest points I experienced early in my career. I had finally landed an important edition job. The edition size was small, just 18. But in addition to the binding there were three other components: a paper folder, a leather portfolio and a leather box. Each item had its unique challenges from stamping, to creating uniform embroidery work, to lots and lots of leather paring. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the books were about 21 x 14.5 inches. For the non-bookbinders in the room, that’s a significant amount of work that took me months to complete.

At the end I laid out each component across several tables in my studio and stood back to admire the work that I had created. At that moment, I felt so high on my own achievement. While doing the final assessment for quality, some of the bindings began to split at the joint. The attachment for the endpapers was failing. And I suddenly flipped to never having felt so low about my work. I was flooded with anxiety and hopelessness, the feeling that I had failed terribly, without any recourse. After composing myself, I reached out to Peter Geraty, a seasoned bookbinder with years of edition work under his belt. I had met Peter as a student when he came as a guest instructor. I explained the situation with an underlying current of panic, waiting anxiously for Peter’s response. He calmly replied: “That’s not a huge deal, I’ve had that exact issue before.” My anxiety began to lower and he proceeded to walk me through how to repair the bindings. It worked beautifully. I share this story because you might experience something like it in the future, but you will also likely know someone who you can lean on to help you figure out a solution. As long as you nurture and grow your community.

The certificate that you receive today is incredibly valuable, but in my opinion the community that North Bennet introduces you to is even more valuable. Don’t be afraid to lean on your community, but also make sure to pay it forward. Our crafts and trades flourish not only with your talents, but through the support we offer to our colleagues both at North Bennet and to the broader community of our respective fields. I wish you all the best of luck with your future endeavors and remember to be an advocate for your craft, for North Bennet and for yourself.

Thank you.