July 7, 2003
Community artists establish new UCSC art award
Student winners tour Santa Cruz book arts
studio
By Scott Rappaport
In the mid-1970s, Peter Thomas was introduced to the art of making books
by William Everson, then the newly hired poet laureate for UCSCs
Kresge College.
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Above, UCSC Art students Katie
Frank and Michael Selby (center) visit with local book artists Peter
and Donna Thomas at their Santa Cruz studio. Below, a sample of
miniature books recently created by Peter and Donna Thomas are on
display. Photos: Scott Rappaport |
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As one of Eversons crew of five students, Thomas would help
turn out "fine press" works of literature on an old Ben Franklin-style
platen press.
That early experience made quite an impression on Thomas and in 1976,
along with his wife and fellow book artist Donna, he established a private
press in Santa Cruz.
Since then, the Thomases have been creating artistic books that are
exhibited across the country and have been purchased for collections
around the world. Now they hope to inspire a new generation of students
by establishing a brand-new award program at UCSC.
Last month, the Thomases selected two UCSC art students to receive
the 2003 Book Arts/Artist Award and invited them to visit their studio
in Santa Cruz for a tour.
Although each award comes with a check for $100, the ultimate goal
is to give the students an opportunity to meet with working artists
and encourage them to explore the book as a medium of artistic expression.
"We created the award because it can make a big difference in
your life when you are recognized for something that youve done,"
Donna explained. "I had been thinking of a wonderful art teacher
who inspired me to pursue my art."
The Thomases attended open studio events at UCSC, looking for fresh
ideas and inspiration, as well as the work of two students to receive
the inaugural awards. But they deliberately examined a variety of media
that went far beyond the traditional concept of book arts.
"We looked at the whole department--painting, sculpture, drawing,
installations," said Peter, who graduated from UCSC in 1978 with
a degree in aesthetic studies. "We were looking for works that
have booklike qualities, not necessarily work designed as a book."
Michael Selbys art project--a series of five painted antique
ironing boards which told a visual story of his familys past--fit
into the Thomases definition of a conceptual or triptych/shrine
book. They found that moving from one painted object to another incorporated
the element of time, and was very much like turning the pages of a book.
"I had lost my father and was going through my photo albums, grabbing
photos and painting stories from them," Selby said of his inspiration
for the piece. "I was interested in where you are in a moment in
time. Looking at faded photos is like looking at a history book."
Katie Franks striking, yet simply-bound book--consisting of transparent
overlays of sign language graphics upon photographs of her friends making
the signs--also caught the eye of the Thomases. Franks award certificate
noted that the books strength lies in "the juxtaposition
of the photographic images with the American Sign Language diagrams
for the animal they represent."
Both students said they were thrilled to be selected for the award,
which took them completely by surprise. They also expressed their appreciation
for the opportunity to tour the Thomases studio and see their
work.
"It was nice to meet the people who were offering the award as
opposed to just receiving a piece of paper and that be the end of it,"
Selby said. "It was such a personable experience to be able to
talk with Peter and Donna about their art and how it related to ours."
The Thomases continue to produce several miniature and full-size book
editions each year. Peter has recently been constructing a series of
books out of old ukuleles and accordions, cleverly modifying the musical
instruments into a variety of book formats and sculptures. Donnas
latest projects have been miniature, one-of-a-kind books about nature
that incorporate calligraphy text, original watercolor illustrations,
and tiny leather picture onlays.
More information about the work of Peter and Donna Thomas can be found
at their web site.
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