Call For Entries

NBSS Bookbinding Exhibit 2023

We are organizing another exhibit of the work of the North Bennet Street School Bookbinding community in the spring of 2023. We invite students, graduates, faculty, and advisors of the NBSS Bookbinding program to submit work in any of the categories listed below.

Please note that while our last exhibit featured exclusively fine binding/design binding, this time we are excited to showcase the broad skills of our community. This will be a juried exhibition with cash prizes, and all categories are eligible to win.

More details on the jury, the prizes, and exhibition details below.

Eligibility

Open to NBSS Bookbinding students, alumni, current/former faculty, and program advisors only.

Timetable

Intent to Enter BeginsJanuary 25, 2022
Deadline to EnterASAP
Ship or Deliver Bindings to NBSSFebruary 1-15, 2023
Entries Due for Jury SelectionFebruary 15, 2023
Exhibit Dates March 2 – April 21, 2023
Opening Reception (invitation to follow)March 9, 2023

Texts

Open choice. You may submit up to two bindings not previously exhibited.

We welcome entries (limit 3 total) in the following categories:

  • Fine/Design Binding
  • Artist Books
  • Repair/Conservation Treatments
  • Historic models and Period-Style Rebindings
  • Boxes and Enclosures
  • Wall hanging work/“Broadsides” (Calligraphy, Printing, Decorated Paper, etc.)
  • Open: work of those that may have strayed further from their bookbinding roots

Please note that we understand that it is uncommon for objects in the repair/conservation treatment category to be available for exhibition. Even if the completed treatment is available to submit, it might be interesting to see before images and/or a treatment description. We are flexible about the format you may choose for such submissions—you may, for example, choose to submit a “poster” to show a more exhibit friendly “treatment report.” We suggest you use your creativity to submit something that is aesthetically pleasing. There is no standard format for this category.

Jury

  • John Buchtel
    • Curator of Rare Books and Head of Special Collections at the Boston Athenaeum
  • Sarah Turner
    • President of North Bennet Street School
  • Darin Murphy
    • Head of the W. Van AlanClark, Jr. Library at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts

Prizes

3 cash prizes will be awarded: $1000, $500, and $250

To Submit

If you have not done so but intend to enter, please send the following submission guidelines below ASAP.

Please email Bookbinding Department Head, Jeff Altepeter, at jaltepeter@nbss.edu to express your intent to enter.

Please include the following information with your submissions:

  • Name, address, email, and phone number
  • Graduation year (if applicable)
  • Description of Entry & Intended Category

Delivery Details

Entries should be shipped to arrive or hand delivered (during normal school hours) at NBSS between 2/1 and 2/15.

Any submissions must fit our exhibit cases or be in a “ready to hang” format. If you intend to submit very large items or unusual objects, please inquire in advance. The prize jury will tentatively review the submissions on Friday, February 17, so late entries may not be considered for prizes.

All submissions must be delivered in a protective, reusable box. Please include exhibitor details with your entry and also email the same information to jaltepeter@nbss.edu.

  • Name
  • Graduation Year (if applicable)
  • Shipping Address
  • Email and phone
  • Price if for sale
  • Description of Entry (materials and techniques)
  • Statement (optional)

Mailing Address:
Jeff Altepeter
North Bennet Street School
150 North Street
Boston, MA 02109

Deadline to Submit Bindings: Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Questions and submissions should all be addressed to Jeff (contact details above).