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Rups offers presentation and exhibit of artists' booksApril 25, 2006 KALAMAZOO--Local artist Pamela Rups will give a free, public presentation, "Various and Sundry: Some Book History, Musings and Strange Bindings," at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the third floor conference room of Stewart Tower, next to Waldo Library at Western Michigan University. Rups' presentation is in conjunction with an exhibition of her handmade books on the main floor of the Upjohn Rotunda of Waldo Library. The exhibit is open during library hours through May 15. During her presentation, she will share samples of papyrus, bindings and other items, as well as show a few of her books not included in the exhibit. The first four people to arrive, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the talk, with an unsharpened 7.5-inch regular wood pencil, will get to make a small book. "I began my artistic career exhibiting watercolors and pastels for more than eight years in local and regional juried shows and galleries, as well as in Washington D.C.," says Rups. "Around 1987, I became dissatisfied with the limited interaction between paintings and viewers, and moved into the book arts. This medium of expression combines all of my areas of interest--painting and drawing, writing, typography, letterpress printing, and the mechanics and craftsmanship involved in bookbinding." "My interest in medieval manuscripts grew from my desire to understand the origins, materials and processes involved in making some of the most durable and beautiful pieces of art that effectively meld the written word with artistic expression." Rups has been employed at WMU since 1979. She spent about 20 years as an instructional graphic designer before moving into her current role as coordinator of the Instructional Technology Center. She earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and holds a master's degree in medieval studies from WMU. Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu WMU News |
