Gallery turns to book art

Although there have been exhibits of beautifully illustrated and hand-bound books for hundreds of years, book art is a somewhat new concept for a show in the arts and fine crafts world.

“Beyond Words: Contemporary Book Art” is a first for the busy Foothills Art Center and includes not only premier bookbinders, but detailed sculptures and monumental installations involving books in the exhibit, juried by book artist Alicia Bailey, owner of Abecedarian Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District.

“Beyond Words” runs through March 22 in Foothills’ main gallery at 809 15th St. in Golden.

Foothills invited established artists Brian Dettmer, Monique Lallier, Adele Outtridge, Susan Porteous and Claire Van Vleit to exhibit. Next, 40 artists were selected through a highly competitive jurying process.

Dettmer is a New York artist known for his book carvings and sculptures made from books and other forms of antiquated media. He is quoted on his website: “The medium’s role transforms. Its content is recontextualized and new meanings or interpretations emerge.”

Monique Lallier is a world-renowned designer bookbinder and Susan Porteus creates sculptures with books.

Related events:

● March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. –; Handmade Books workshop with instructor Pam Fortner. The cost of $ 165 public/$ 150 members includes all materials.

● March 8, 2-4 p.m. “Hands-On Artists Books,” lecture by juror Alicia Bailey. Free. Limited capacity.

Register for both at foothillsartcenter.org.