Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers

OTHER WORLDS ARE POSSIBLE—OPENING RECEPTION THIS FRIDAY!

OPENING RECEPTION AND ARTIST TALK, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 6:00-7:30PM

Multiverse
8026 Germantown Ave Philadelphia, PA, 19118 United States

DISPLAY APRIL 3, 2026 THROUGH MAY 8TH, 2026

“The exercise of imagination is dangerous to those who profit from the way things are because
it has the power to show that the way things are is not permanent, not universal, not
necessary.”—Ursula K. Leguin, science fiction author

Members of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers have created original works and books arts for Other Worlds Are Possible–a window-display exhibition inspired by our store’s speculative fiction focus. The exhibition features handmade book art by 10 artists, exploring the themes of imagination and creativity that books allow.

At a time when books are being banned and reading curricula censored, speculative fiction offers space to dream together about better worlds. How can book arts help tell the stories we need most right now? How can the structure of a book itself suggest possibility, hope, or change?

We had a lovely trip out to visit Historic Rittenhouse Town to see some of their treasurers. This was in preparation for our exhibit going up this summer. We can’t thank them enough for hosting.

Sneak Peek before the Opening Tonight!

Reaction: Artists Transform the Sample Book
September 2025 - February 2026

Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA

Reaction: Artists Transform the Sample Book Opening Tonight!

Opening reception - Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5pm-7pm EDT

September 2025 - February 2026

Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106

Please RSVP at the link below.

https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/first-friday-books-meet-their-makers/

For a sneak peek of the books
https://dvc-gbw.org/reaction-artists-transform-the-sample-book/

https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibitions/reaction-artists-transform-the-sample-book/

More programming in conjunction with the exhibit to come!

Reaction: Artists Transform the Sample Book An exhibition by members of the Guild of Book Workers inspired by the Institute’s collection of sample books.

Reaction: Artists Transform the Sample Book
September 2025 - February 2026

Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106

Opening reception - Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5pm-7pm EDT

Please RSVP at the link below.

https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/first-friday-books-meet-their-makers/

https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibitions/reaction-artists-transform-the-sample-book/

Exotic and Fun Storage Books Workshop with Rosae Reeder
Saturday, July 12, 2025
10am to 2pm on Zoom

$25 for current DVC-GBW members, $30 for non-members

Registration is limited to 20 persons.
Reserve your spot soon at >>>>https://GBW.formstack.com/forms/delaware_storagebooks

Registration deadline: July 7, 2025

Materials list and zoom link will be emailed after registration is received.

More info can be found at https://dvc-gbw.org/2025/06/09/exotic-and-fun-storage-books-online-workshop/

Please join us for the opening of the DVC's latest exhibition Material World.

Thursday, September 12, 2024
Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
University of Pennsylvania
3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Tours of the exhibits begin at 4, followed by the lecture and opening.

Please use the link below to sign up for the lecture.

Art and Action in Movable Books and Paper: from the Collection of Ellen G. K. Rubin & Exhibitions Open
Thursday, September 12, 2024
5:30pm - 8:00pm
Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 6th Floor

https://www.library.upenn.edu/events/art-and-action-movable-books

Material World

Kamin Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 1st Floor
https://www.library.upenn.edu/events/material-world

The Movement of Book

Goldstein Family Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 6th Floor
https://www.library.upenn.edu/events/movement-books

Making Movables Workshop: Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers
https://www.library.upenn.edu/events/making-movables-workshop

October 18, 2024
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor

DVC has sponsored a scholarship specifically to go to a UArts Alum of Staff. Apply!

The Guild of Book Workers offers scholarships to attend the Standards of Excellence in Hand Bookbinding
seminar.
Scholarships are available for both students and regular members.
Non-members may apply, but are required to become a member prior to attending the Seminar.
The scholarship consists of a waiver of registration fees, lodging costs for four nights at the conference hotel, and the cost of the Saturday evening banquet dinner. The lodging costs covered do not
include hotel parking, phone calls, movie rentals, or any other roomservices. Tour costs are not covered by the scholarship. The GBW Treasurer will reserve a room for each recipient at the conference hotel. Recipients are responsible for making their own travel plans. Scholarship recipients will be asked to volunteer a small amount of their time during the seminar to assist the event organizers, presenters, or other GBW volunteers.

To apply please visit:

https://guildofbookworkers.org/standards-excellence-2024

Standards of Excellence 2024 | Guild of Bookworkers Image The Standards of Excellence Seminar in Hand Bookbinding is the annual Guild of Book Workers conference. Held annually at a different location around the country, participants attend presentations by leading experts in the fields related to the book and paper arts. Tours of binderies, conservat...

Call for Entries: Material World

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is seeking submissions for "Material World," an exploration of materiality of the book form. The challenge is to use non-traditional mediums and structures. Books, as most people know them, are made of a pretty short list of materials: paper, leather, parchment, silk thread, linen thread, and board. Think outside the book! Have you been collecting something with the plan to make something? Now is your time to use it.

The Exhibition will be on display on the first floor at the Van Pelt Library of the University of Pennsylvania.

Important Dates
March 29, 2024 – Intent to Participate Due
June 21, 2024 - Books Due

Reminders will only be sent if you e-mail us with the intent to participate. Please direct all communication to the [email protected]

The full call and more info can be found at:

Material World Call for Entries The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is seeking submissions for Material World, an exploration of materiality of the book form. The challenge is to use non-traditional mediums a…

Whisper to Me: A Conversation Through Time
Artists’ books inspired by Phillis Wheatley and Telicia Darius, Philly’s Youth Poet ’22-23

November 8, 2023 - January 12, 2024

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

Opening
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
5pm - 7pm

Join us for the exhibition opening at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on November 8. Meet some of the artists and witness their works on view, in conversation with the work of Phillis Wheatley.

To RSVP:

Whisper to Me: A Conversation Through Time Join us for the opening of an exhibition of artists’ books inspired by Phillis Wheatley and Telicia Darius, Philly’s Youth Poet ’22-23.

Tonight we celebrated Blue!