Standards of Excellence 2025

Standards of Excellence Seminar Iowa Tours, October 9, 2025

All tours are free of charge unless noted. Tour fees cover administrative costs, transportation for attendees requiring special considerations for accessibility, admissions to institutions, and/or tour expenses for scholars and volunteers. 
Please meet your tour group in the lobby of Graduate Iowa City 15 minutes before departure. Unless indicated in the description, participants will travel on foot to tour locations, attendees who are unable to do so may make alternate arrangements by emailing standards@guildofbookworkers.org.

Amana Colonies: Folk Art Museum visit and Papermaking with Gary Frost

Time: 12:30pm to 5:00pm
Cost per participant: $70
Maximum number of participants: 25

The Amana Colonies are seven villages on 26,000 acres located in Iowa County, about 25 miles from downtown Iowa City. Participants will travel by bus to the newly opened Folk Art Museum, followed by a visit to Gary Frost’s papermaking studio. Pre-registration is required for this tour.

Come One, Come All: A Tour of the Night Circus

Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cost per participant: None
Maximum number of participants: 15

This fall, the Guild of Book Workers’ Travelling Exhibition will be hosted at Iowa City’s Old Capitol Museum. Join Jeanne Goodman for an in-depth look at the works on display. Night Circus invites curiosity with its Spectacle, fascinates with Artistry and Performance, explores the Mysterious and Luminous, investigates Clandestine actions and Secret knowledge, and embraces Chaos and Otherness. Pre-registration is required for this tour. To view Night Circus on your own, please visit for hours and information.

Gallery Tour and Talk with the Curators: Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education at University of Iowa Libraries Main Library Gallery

Time: 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Cost per participant: None
Maximum number of participants: 30

Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education showcases the fascinating world of movable books and paper technologies. Curated by Giselle Simón, Damien Ihrig, and Elizabeth Yale, this interactive exhibition will invite visitors to explore flap books, pop-ups, scrolls, volvelles, and books that use paper to make sounds while learning about their historical and contemporary significance. 

Paper has long held a crucial role in communicating information to artists, scientists, and students. Medical flap books from the 16th to the 19th centuries provided an affordable way for physicians to gain hands-on knowledge about the body. Children’s books from the 18th century onwards used movable elements to instruct and entertain, acting as precursors to interactive media. Artist’s books from the last century demonstrate how paper technologies can engage viewers in new and exciting ways. Through these and other rare materials from University of Iowa Libraries collections, this exhibition will celebrate the creativity, design, and ingenuity of paper engineering. Pre-registration is required for this talk and tour. Visitors who would prefer a self-guided tour may visit on their own. 

Please check https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/gallery/location-and-hours/ for visitor info and hours.

Kindred Spirits: 30 Years of University of Iowa Alumni Work

Cost per participant: None

The University of Iowa Center for the book will host an exhibition of alumni work in the K. K. Merker Gallery, North Hall. This is a self-guided tour, and participants may visit the gallery from 9:00am to 8:00pm from October 8th – 12th. Pre-registration is not required for this tour.

Stanley Museum of Art Tour

Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost per participant: None
Maximum number of participants: 15

The Stanley Museum will host a guided tour of our gallery spaces with Graduate Assistant Melanie Landsittel from the Learning & Engagement Department. She will discuss the history of the 20,000 work collection as well as its current use as a teaching resource for disciplines across the university. Working with the museum’s Collections team, she will also curate a small group of unique and relevant works to pull from the archives to share with the group. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in a tour or program, please contact the Stanley in advance at 319-335-1727, or email standards@guildofbookworkers.org to connect with a volunteer who can assist with planning. Pre-registration is required for this tour. 

To visit the Stanley without a guide, see https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/ for gallery hours and information.

University of Iowa Conservation Lab and Libraries Open House

Time: TBD
Cost per participant: None

The Conservation Lab at the University of Iowa provides specialized treatment for all of the Libraries’ collections, advises on issues of collection storage and use, and manages the preparation and installation of all materials for exhibition. Collections Care activities include environmental monitoring, commercial and in-house binding, book repair, and materials processing. The department works with digital initiatives to provide consultation, assessment and preparatory services for rare items. Pre-registration is not required for this tour.

University of Iowa Center for the Book Open House

Time: 10:00am - 4:30pm
Cost per participant: None

Join the UI Center for the Book for hands-on activities, demonstrations, and tours of our studios. Pre-registration is not required for this tour. Participants may visit the Center in North Hall between 10:00am and 4:30pm.

Special event: Mix and Mentor

When: Friday October 10, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: Poindexter Coffee, 210 S Dubuque St

On Friday, October 10, GBW will host a “Mix and Mentor” event from 8:00-9:30 pm at Poindexter Coffee, located just off the lobby of Graduate by Hilton Iowa City, the conference hotel for Standards 2025. Interested participants may register to “speed-meet” colleagues and potential friends in a fun, lightly structured environment. We are hoping that this community event will be a chance to find people to collaborate or share skills with, explore common interests, meet new people, or learn something new about an old friend. Registration is limited. Registration and more details coming soon!

Vendors

The Standards of Excellence Seminar invites all vendors selling materials, tools, and supplies related to the book arts to register for the 2025 Vendor Room. The Vendor Room is open to seminar attendees, and to the general public. Names of vendors and donors will be listed on the Guild of Book Workers website beginning in September of 2025.

Vendor Registration

Registration will be accepted until September 30, 2025, or until capacity is reached.

Please note that tables are limited, and assigned on a first-come, first- served basis. Cancellations prior to September 8 will be refunded, less a 10% cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after September 8, 2025. 
For questions about payments contact Larry Houston, GBW Treasurer, at treasurer@guildofbookworkers.org. Other questions regarding the Standards of Excellence Seminar contact Jennifer Pellecchia, Standards Committee Chair, at standards@guildofbookworkers.org.

Fees

• Table Rental: (2’ x 6’ draped table, includes set-up & strike fee, one table, up to three seminar badges) $200
• Additional table(s): $100 each (limited to 4 per vendor)
• Banquet Tickets: $60 per person

Registration opens June 1
 

Vendor Room Schedule

Sponsorships

The Guild of Book Workers offers sponsorship opportunities in an effort to keep registration affordable. Members, vendors, and organizations can increase  visibility and show support by taking part in supporting this year’s seminar in Iowa City, or create a unique sponsorship grouping to bundle and donate. We also welcome anonymous donors. Thank you for your consideration! 

Become a sponsor (opens June 1st)

Opening Reception

$2000 (2 available)

Help to cover the costs of food and programming during the October 9th Welcome Reception at the Old Capitol Museum.

• Your name & logo on the auditorium screen before presentations and during breaks
• Acknowledgement or ad in the conference packet
• Verbal thank you during presenter introductions, opening reception and banquet

Mix & Mentor Meetup Sponsorship

$750 (2 available)

These funds will allow us to schedule an informal meetup for attendees and scholarship recipients to network and socialize.

• Your name or company name & logo shown on the auditorium screen before presentations and during breaks
• Acknowledgement or ad in the conference packet
• Verbal thank you during presenter introductions, opening reception and banquet

Coffee & Snack Break Sponsor

$500 (8 available)

Helps to offset the costs of food and coffee during presenter breaks.

• Your name or company name & logo shown on the auditorium screen before presentations and during breaks 
• Verbal thank you during presenter introductions, opening reception and banquet
• A full-page acknowledgement and ad in the conference packet 

Video Sponsor

$300 (4 available)

Offsets costs of video production and hosting.

• Your name or company name & logo shown on the auditorium screen before presentations and during breaks 
• Your name or company name & logo included in presentation recording credits
• Verbal thank you during presenter introductions, opening reception and banquet
• Promotional code for a free purchase of that video on our online streaming service
• Name or business name in program packet, GBW Newsletter, and on GBW website

Floral Centerpiece

$250 (1 available)

• Your name or company name and logo on the auditorium screen before presentations and during breaks  
• Verbal thank you at the opening reception and banquet
• Name or business name in program packet, GBW Newsletter, and on GBW website

Program packet Sponsor

$100 (unlimited)

• Verbal thank you at the opening reception and banquet
• Name or business name in program packet, GBW Newsletter, and on GBW website

Deadline for submission of payment and artwork is September 30, 2025. Payment may be submitted while registering online for Standards, or via the Guild’s donation page.

For questions about the Standards of Excellence Seminar contact Jennifer Pellecchia, Standards Committee Chair, at standards@guildofbookworkers.org.

Scholarships

The Guild of Book Workers offers scholarships to attend the Standards of Excellence in Hand Bookbinding. The scholarship consists of one year of Guild Membership, a waiver of seminar registration fees, lodging costs for four nights at the conference hotel, and the cost of the Saturday evening banquet dinner. The lodging costs covered do not include hotel parking, phone calls, movie rentals, or any other room services. Tour costs are not covered by the scholarship. The GBW Treasurer will reserve a room for each recipient at the conference hotel. Recipients are responsible for making their own travel plans. Scholarship recipients will be asked to volunteer a small amount of their time during the seminar to assist the event organizers, presenters, or other GBW volunteers.

Apply Now

The Scholarship Committee requests a short statement and two letters of reference. The statement should describe: 

• What you hope to get out of the seminar
• How attending might impact your work
• How you plan to share what you have learned with others

The letters of reference could come from an instructor, supervisor, or client and need not be lengthy. The application process opens May 10th, and all applications are due by July 1st, 2025.  

For questions about the Scholarship program please contact Todd Pattison, Vice President, at vicepresident@guildofbookworkers.org.

Hotel & Accommodations

Graduate by Hilton Iowa City
 

210 South Dubuque St, 
Iowa City, Iowa, 52240, USA
 

An undeniably local stay, Graduate Iowa City combines hometown history and Hawkeye traditions with creative interiors and college nostalgia. Located on the downtown Ped Mall, within walking distance of the University of Iowa and Kinnick Stadium, it’s your perfect base for exploring. Enjoy inspired guest rooms, an on-site coffee shop and restaurant, and our signature Graduate touches. Special rates are available for Standards attendees at Graduate Iowa City. Click the button below to book your room at the discounted rate Parking:   On-site self-parking: Dubuque Street Ramp is free for attendees with validation. Valet parking: Not available EV charging: Nearby, 100 feet   Traveling to Iowa City: The nearest airport to Iowa City is Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids. Please visit flycid.com to learn more about options for traveling between CID and downtown Iowa City. Iowa City is also served by two Greyhound Bus Stations. The closest Amtrak station is located in Mount Pleasant, IA. Reservations

Image

Image

Presentations

❮ ❯	ISLAM ALY From Tradition to Transformation: The Evolution of a Book Artist’s Practice "I will trace the evolution of my work in book arts, beginning with my formative experiences as a student and continuing through my development as a professional artist. The presentation will explore how early studies in traditional bookbinding laid the foundation for later experimentation with structure, materiality, and conceptual meaning. Particular focus will be given to selected binding projects that illustrate pivotal moments of transition and innovation within my practice. By integrating both traditional techniques and unconventional materials, my work seeks to challenge and expand the boundaries of the artist’s book as an object and vessel of meaning." An in-depth discussion of recent work inspired by Coptic tapestries, using bone as both a structural and symbolic material for book covers, will highlight the intersection of organic form, narrative, and tactile experience. The presentation will conclude with a live demonstration, offering insight into the processes of working with bone and its integration into book structures. A demo of Coptic sewing and endband will also be included. Islam Aly is a book artist and a lecturer in Design at Helwan University’s College of Art Education. He began his creative path with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a Master’s from the same institution. Balancing critical analysis with hands-on making, he earned a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Art Education at the University of Iowa and an MFA in Book Arts at the University of Iowa, where he engaged deeply with the discipline’s historical roots and contemporary developments. His educational background and intensive studio training have influenced his approach to creating artists’ books. He merges historical bookbinding techniques with digital technologies to create works that are both rooted in tradition and forward-looking. Islam addresses cultural memory, identity, and transformation themes through his artists’ books. His work often challenges viewers’ perceptions of what a book can be, emphasizing the book’s evolving role in an increasingly digital world. He is particularly interested in the interplay between traditional book arts’ tactile qualities and contemporary technological interventions, exploring how physical craftsmanship can integrate with modern innovations while preserving the sensory essence of the book form. Website: islamaly.com
❮ ❯	KATHERINE BEATY Postcards from Italian Archives: Medieval Stationery Bindings in the Italian Peninsula For the past year, Katherine Beaty has been in residence at the American Academy in Rome as the Suzanne Deal Booth Rome Prize recipient. During this Standards presentation, she will take you on an adventure through the reading rooms and archives to examine and document the variety of stationery books from across the country. Utilizing archaeological documentation of the bookbinding features, Katherine will share survey tools, drawings and diagramming techniques, and how recreating bookbindings in the studio aids in understanding how the books were constructed. Katherine will also share how exploring allied crafts in Italy, such as textile weaving and leatherworking, has enhanced her understanding of the craft of stationery bookbinding. From the late medieval through Renaissance periods, she will make a sampling of Italian stationery binding structures including limp parchment and laminated leather variations, and will discuss and demonstrate sewing variations, endbands, parchment wrapper-style endleaves, lacing with alum tawed strips and woven silk ribbons, as well as a various fastening types, such as ties, loop and toggle, and buckle and strap. Katherine Beaty is a rare book conservator for special collections at the Weissman Preservation Center, Harvard Library special collections conservation laboratory. She has a special interest in parchment, non-western bindings, and investigating historical book structures. Before coming to Harvard in 2008, Katherine trained at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Library of Congress, New York Academy of Medicine, Harry Ransom Center, and worked at Duke University Library and the Smithsonian. Katherine’s first experience with books was with Don Etherington in Greensboro, NC, who hired her straight out of art school with no experience in bookbinding. Katherine went on to earn her M.A. in book and paper conservation from the Buffalo State College's, Garman Art Conservation department and is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation. Katherine was awarded the Suzanne Deal Booth Rome Prize in 2024 and has spent the year researching Italian stationery bookbindings in Italy.  Photo credits: Jess Robson
❮ ❯	COLEEN CURRY An Art of its Own: Dyeing and Texturing Leather for Design Binding "People frequently describe my fine bindings as "painterly" and I am often asked "So, how did you create such depth of color and texture on leather?" Over several years, I have experimented using dyes and textures on leather to intuitively express my response to texts or illustrations. The treatments I’ve developed involve composing layers of color, foil, gold leaf, texture, and mark making. These methods serve as a way to visually and tactilely convey feelings that I find challenging to articulate through words and shapes. The abstraction of color and texture is true to the essence and style of how I responded to a book. This presentation will offer an overview of how I use vegetable tanned undyed leather, discussing its limitations and applications. Subsequently, I will present how I have explored and experimented using various methods and processes. I’ll show the outcomes of these explorations as board coverings, mosaics, and visual narratives on my bindings. Additionally, specific techniques using dyes, layering color and texture will be demonstrated." Coleen Curry is a contemporary design binder focused on creating visually and tactilely engaging books. She graduated with a Diploma in Fine Binding from the American Academy of Bookbinding in 2009. Coleen teaches privately and conducts workshops on fine binding, design techniques, leather dying and surface treatments. Her work has been showcased internationally and has garnered several awards, including the Ninth Helen Warren DeGolyer Award for American Bookbinding in 2022, First Prize in Case Binding at the Society of Bookbinders International Competition (2015), Award for Excellence in Design (2019), and Highly Commendable Awards in both the 2017 and 2020 Open/Set International Competitions.Coleen’s work is held in both private and public collections. She serves on the Board for the San Francisco Center for the Book and is a former president of the Hand Bookbinders of California. Coleen lives in California and enjoys swimming and rock climbing in her free time. Website: coleencurry.com
❮ ❯	MARY UTHUPPURU Fun with Box Making Boxes are an essential way to present a finished book piece as a bookbinder and book artist. A well-made enclosure will not only protect the work inside but can enrich the content, and while they may seem complex, boxes are simple once broken down to their basic components. Elements can be multiplied or rearranged to create very interesting pieces. Mary found a love for making practical boxes during her time working in the conservation lab at the Lilly Library, in Bloomington, Indiana. There, she learned the foundations of box structures by making numerous protective enclosures that custom fit collection materials. Later, she explored ways the box can complement and complete her artist books by introducing the viewer to the box’s content at the start by playing with common structures and bringing design elements outside. Mary will share how she approaches box making as it applies to artist books, bindings, and non-traditional content. Demonstrating on a model, she will share how she plans her box designs and how she illuminates the unusual with techniques like curved edges, hidden spaces, and more. Mary Uthuppuru is a book artist who enjoys exploring the natural world within her artwork. Living in the countryside, surrounded by wooded areas, Mary gets to observe wildlife daily. Feeling a kinship with Eastern box turtles, she enjoys exploring natural mysteries in a contemplative way and celebrates the beauty and intrigue we overlook every day. From her observations in nature and interest in the sciences, Mary strives to create artist books, prints, and, of course, boxes that inspire curiosity and play. Through her role as the owner and operator of Colophon Book Arts Supply, an online shop based in Indiana, Mary brings her love and enthusiasm for the book arts to our larger community. Website: colophonbookarts.com