“From Pollock to Dylan,” at Telluride’s Ah Haa School, 5/18

16 May “From Pollock to Dylan,” at Telluride’s Ah Haa School, 5/18

Tuesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m., at Telluride’s Ah Haa School for the Arts, 300 South Townsend, book artist Don Glaister talks about his life and work: “From Pollock to Dylan—An Inside Look at a Book Artist’s Evolution.” The presentation culminates with Glaister’s most recent project, a commissioned book of Bob Dylan’s songs. The talk, the second lecture of the spring semester, offers a glimpse at what goes on at the American Academy of Bookbinding, the lovechild of Ah Haa founder Daniel Tucker, a world-renowned book artist.

The American Academy of Bookbinding (AAB), a branch of the Ah Haa School for the Arts, recently opened for its spring semester of classes in the Old Stone Building on Willow Street. The newly remodeled studio is one of the best-equipped teaching binderies in the country. The classes offered attract students from all over world and are geared towards individuals interested in studying Fine Binding and Book Conservation. Starting this fall, the curriculum will expand to include simple bindings, artist books, and related subjects, creating more opportunities for local young people and adults to attend.

Don Glaister, who has been making design bookbindings for over 30 years, is the Director of the Fine Binding Program at AAB.  Glaister lives and works on Vashon Island, Washington, near Seattle. He began his bookbinding career after taking degrees in painting and sculpture at San Jose State College in California. He studied binding privately with Barbara Hiller in San Francisco and Pierre Aufschnieder and Roger Arnoult in Paris.

Glaister’s professional career has centered on the exploration, development, and use of unexpected binding materials, visual humor, and spontaneous visual expression, while still working within the classical framework of the European binding form. Beginning in 2002, Glaister’s work expanded to include the design and production of editions of artist’s books that include painting, sculpture and poetry he has made. Over the years, Glaister has taught binding and design privately, and as Professor of Book Arts at the University of Alabama. 

Don’t miss two other AAB events this spring:  Bookbinding Studio Open House: Tuesday, May 25, 5-7PM, and talk and slides by Monique Lallier, Tuesday, June 1, 6:30pm at the Depot.

For more information call 728-8649