Free Bike Tour of Portland’s Small Museums: Book Arts & Fine Printing Theme

Bikes are a transportation option that offers financial, health and environmental benefits. Likewise, bike tours can be an economical form of entertainment and source of education, as well as a way to connect with your family and your community.

If you are looking for a free event this Saturday, consider this bike tour of Portland’s small museums:

Join us for a monthly bike tour of Small Museums & Collections in the
Portland area. Each month we’ll pedal to unique collections, enjoy
presentations by experts, and have a fun, yet educational outing by
bike. The tour is led by Carye Bye, the director of the Bathtub Art
Museum ( http://www.bathtubmuseum.org/).

May’s Small Museums by Bike : Book Arts & Fine Printing:
Saturday May 26, 2007
12:45 pm
SW Park Blocks – North End, Salmon & Park. Downtown Portland
Length: 3.5 – 4 hours, non loop, ending in inner SE
contact: Carye Bye 503-248-4454
Free

While illustrated manuscripts, and fine bookbinding have been around
for centuries,  contemporary artists are learning old traditions and
pushing the boundaries to create well-crafted works of art using hand
binding, handmade paper, letterpress printing, calligraphy, unique
book constructions, and other associated arts.

On this tour we’ll visit with Jim Carmin, the rare books & exhibit
specialist for the John Wilson Room at Portland’s Central Library, who
will walk us through two exhibits – ‘Philip Smith: Extraordinary
Bindings from an Englishman’ and ‘15 Years of Artists Books by
Catherine Alice Michaelis’.  Across the river, the New American Art
Union is hosting ‘By All Means: Artists Books & Objects’ . Diane
Jacobs, one of the 7 participating artists, will tell us about her art
and involvement in the show. We’ll also have our own chance to make a
book using simple binding techniques and a table-top letterpress at
the Independent Publishing Resource Center.