Symposium

The Symposium brings connection, conversation, and a deeper dive into some of the work and ideas out community members are focused on.

The first morning will highlight an exhibition titled Who Is America at 250? Several artists/curators will discuss this important exhibition of artists’ books and fine press books at the San Francisco Center for the Book. The second morning will focus on France with a keynote lecture from Marie Minssieux-Chamonard, Chief Curator of 20th and 21st Centuries in Special Collections at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Claire Ilouz will discuss her artist’s books, and Carole Texier will discuss her new project in collaboration with the Atelier du Livre de l’Art & de l’Estampe at the Imprimerie Nationale de France.

Go to the Symposium Info tab for Speaker Bios and Abstracts.

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Highlight: Who Is America at 250?

Schedule

8:30 am : Check In, East Ballroom

9:00 am – 9:10 am: Opening Remarks

9:15 am – 9:35 am: Artist Talk: Ana Paula Cordeiro

9:35 am – 9:45 am: Q&A

9:50 am – 10:10 am: Artist Talk: Beldan Sezen

10:10 am – 10:20 am: Q&A

10:20 am – 10:35 am: 15-minute break

10:40 am – 11:20 am: Panel Discussion: curator Yuka Petz and artists Anne Covell, IBé Bulinda Crawley, and Jocmarys Viruet Feliciano.

11:20 am – 11:30 am: Q&A

About the Exhibition: Who Is America at 250?

Exhibition organized by San Francisco Center for the Book.

The exhibition Who is America at 250?: Artists’ Books on the State of Democracy explores the realities and perceptions of living in the United States today. Featuring artists’ books and print work by artists from across the nation, the exhibition reflects on the current state of our American experiment. Who Is America at 250? addresses critical issues that individuals and communities in the United States face daily, such as immigration, social injustice, racial inequity, and wage inequality. Simultaneously, the exhibition explores what makes America known as the “land of opportunity,” providing perspective on both the challenges and prospects of American democracy.

Curators

Betty Bright, Ph.D., Mark Dimunation, Maymanah Farhat, Yuka Petz, and Ruth Rogers.

Venues

San Francisco Center for the Book: January 17 – March 22, 2026
Boston Athenaeum: April – May 2026
Minnesota Center for Book Arts: June – August 2026
Kennesaw State University: Sept/Oct – December 2026

Participating Artists

Golnar Adili, Shana Agid, Aurora de Armendi, Alisa Banks, Tia Blassingame, Ben Blount, Eileen Boxer, Gabby Cooksey, Ana Paula Cordeiro, Anne Covell, Ibe’ Bulindfa Crawley, Nia F.G. Easley, Jocmarys Viruet Feliciano, Kyle Goen, Nabil Gonzalez, Kimi Hanaeur, Art Hazelwood, thad higa, Robin Holder, Robert Kalman, Tatana Kellner and Ann Kalmbach, Andrea Krupp, Colleen Lawrence, Russell Maret, Sana Masud, Jan Owen, Maria Pisano, Felicia Rice, gino romero, Gaylord Schanilec, Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder, Beldan Sezen, Andrea Shaker, Robbin Ami Silverberg & Kim Berman, Alan Sobrino, Tyler Starr, Beth Thielen, and Sara White.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Highlight: France