Sunday, October 27, 2024

Gaspereau Press October 2024 Wayzgoose

Saturday Oct 26th was a lovely day for a drive to the valley to take in the autumn colours, the pumpkins and Gaspereau Press Wayzgoose (OK - the drive had a few glitches with highway construction on Hwy 101 & lots of traffic on Hwy 1, but other than that, it was a nice drive).

Gaspereau Press in Kentville had a open house day to see presentations and demonstrations, to try your hand at pamphlet bookbinding and small print items, and to pick up a few print samples. One of my favourite parts is a chance to grab a handful (or two) of off-cuts for $5, and of course, run into friends I've met through NSBAG.











Submitted by Heather Loney

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Nocturne 2024

Nocturne 2024

Macro to Micro Bookbinding Blast!


What a wonderful idea.

Wow... I didn’t know these skills still existed!

What... you are cutting up a book? An encyclopedia?!


These were just a few comments from folk who dropped by the Nova Scotia Book Arts location during Halifax's Nocturne: Art at Night Festival 2024.

This year's theme was "Microcosm." Dozens of artists across the city responded with a wealth of illustrations and ideas about being part of the Microcosm that is Halifax/Kjipuktuk. Spaces were opened for conversations and connections about the microcosm to the cosmos and back.

Nocturne crowd

The Nova Scotia Book Arts Group members completely dismantled a gigantic, 1000-page, illustrated Oxford Dictionary and using many of their skills, techniques and creativity, constructed hundreds of small books to give away to visitors. From the macro to micro volumes.

Sample Books NSBAG Team at work
visitors selecting books
At peak production, there were eight people making books simultaneoulsy. By the end of the night, approximately 275 small books were made. Nearly all were claimed by Nocturne visitors.


There was all sorts of lively chat - the 'art' of the book; books vs devices; how/where we retain vessels of knowledge; repair and preservation... and... just what constitutes a book anyway?! How are these questions all 'bound' together?

Book enthusiasts, artists, a poet, parents and youngsters, a four-footed friend, the curious, the indifferent, potential future book binders. Each offered a unique take on 'all things bookish.' Visitors left carrying a mini volume as well as their own individual stories. All part of the microcosm.


If the exchanges and enthusiasm from the evening were any indication... the love of books is alive and well and a thriving component of the microcosm of Halifax/Kjipuktuk.


Thank you to everyone involved!


Submitted by Sally Crawford