The traditions and history of the book are provided as background for entering the major computer driven information transmittal revolution. What is happening today parallels the revolution initiated by Gutenberg five hundred and fifty years ago. To guide the Book Arts Center staff a board of distinguished advisors has been appointed. The Book Arts Center has three distinct entities. The Class of 1932 Bindery explores the history of bookbinding through practical application.
Students bind their own books using traditional tools and techniques.
The Printery teaches the evolution and the manufacture of books and provides practical experience in typography and printing. Within the limitations of available equipment, students will attempt to speculate on the future technological developments and their ramifications in the book arts. To honor Victor Hammer and Jane Webster Pearce '32, the Book Arts Center hosted two symposia which brought together a group of distinguished book arts people from across the continent and from Europe. The Hammer symposium concentrated on the contributions to graphic arts by this Renaissance man who was also an architect and painter. The symposium on bookbinding featured an exhibition of the magnificent collection of fine contemporary bindings in the collection of Jane Webster Pearce '32.