New Exhibit in Special Collections
mgooch October 23rd, 2009
The exhibit “Designing Women: Three Early American Book Artists” is currently on display in Special Collections, The College of Wooster Libraries. This exhibit highlights work by three of the earliest professional artists enlisted to provide designs for publishers’ cloth bindings in the late 19th century. Book designs by Margaret Armstrong, Sarah Whitman, and Amy Richards illustrate the changing aesthetic of 19th century America towards the modern design philosophies that emerged with the Arts and Crafts Movement and, later, Art Nouveau. As women had long been involved with the traditional aspects of bindery work that included stitching and case making, women were also among the first artists who provided designs for the cloth covers that flourished at the turn of the 20th century as part of the growing movement that appreciated the book as art, as well as the book as text. These materials will be on display October 23, - December 23, 2009. For more information about the exhibit, contact Denise Monbarren at ext. 2527 or Elaine Smith Snyder at ext. 2155. Special arrangements can be made for classes or small groups to view more materials from our collection.