CODEX in the Capital

May 26 – May 30, 2027

The CODEX Foundation invites you to save the date for an extra long weekend as we amplify the book as a work of art across the Washington DC area. Co-curated and organized by Stephanie Stillo (Chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress) and Inge Bruggeman (Executive Director of the CODEX Foundation), this special event is organized in partnership with several other institutions such as: George Mason University, Georgetown University, National Museum for Women in the Arts, National Gallery of Art Library, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and others. There will be exhibitions, a symposium, lectures, receptions, and other programming surrounding these highlights:

CODEX as Catalyst Exhibit I:
From the Collections of Mary Austin, Duke Collier, and Dan Logan
Mason Exhibitions Arlington, George Mason University
This exhibition will be made up of pairings of works from three individual collectors, creating dynamic conversations between contemporary artists’ books, fine press books, and historic works that feature stunning examples of the book as a work of art. This exhibit and the opening event reception will be held at Mason Exhibitions Arlington and hosted by Alissa Maru (Associate Curator & Program Manager, Mason Exhibitions Arlington), Donald Russell (University Curator, Mason Exhibitions & Provisions Library for Art and Social Change), Jeffrey Kenney (Associate Curator, Mason Exhibitions), and Stephanie Grimm (Art Exhibitions Librarian and Book Arts Curator).

CODEX as Catalyst Exhibit II:
Works from the Library of Congress
Pairings from this collection, in particular, will illustrate how the book as a work of art appears throughout art history and how historic examples inspire contemporary artists and publishers working in the field today. Exhibits, a symposium, and a reception will be hosted by Stephanie Stillo from the Library of Congress.

CODEX as Catalyst Exhibit III:
Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections
This exhibition will be made up of pairings of works from the Georgetown University Library’s Special Collections. These pairings create dynamic conversations between contemporary artists’ books, fine press books, and historic works within the book arts field. The exhibition and reception will be hosted by Jay Sylvestre (Curator of Rare Books) and LuLen Walker (Art Curator, Booth Family Center for Special Collections).