Library to host 'Bookers Dozen' exhibit in May

COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., will host "Bookers Dozen 2011," a traveling exhibit from the Idaho Center for the Book at Boise State University, May 1-29.

The biennial exhibition will feature 14 handmade and self-published books.

Booker's Dozen 2011 is the ninth edition of the show, which was founded in 1994 by late BSU English professor Tom Trusky to "reward and encourage bookmaking, to promote Idaho bookmakers and to inspire Idahoans to make their own books." The 2011 pool included 109 entries, representing national and international artists.

"Perhaps due to the fact that the show has been on a transitional hiatus since 2008, or perhaps because of the resurgence of interest in the book as an object and in unique books as a counterbalance to digital artifacts, Booker's Dozen 2011 elicited an astonishing response," said art professor and center director Stephanie Bacon.

The exhibit includes work from Aaron Nelson, "The Short Life;" Sarah Lenz, "Brown Bag Week;" Brooke Burton, "Hacked Vol. 3;" Mike Scheef, "EMZ Book One;" Yael David-Cohen, "Ageing I;" Page Moran, "Dead Man's Recipes;" Will Spearman, "The Document: A Brief History;" Jill Fitterer, "Orso Corpo, Terra/This is Exactly What Happened ... (etc.);" Mariana Gutierrez, "Book;" Marilyn Cosho, "The Big Book of Asperger Syndrome;" William D. Lewis, "Look Out!;" Matt Bodett & Terra Feast, "Between the Edges of the Space;" Ajk Piercc + Tee Kho!, "THROUGH Non-Human;" and Margarita Benitez, "Untitled."

The exhibit will be in Coeur d'Alene May 1-29 and will then be hosted by the Mountain Home Public Library.