Watkin's Handmade & Bound Nashville Fest

Yes.

I realize I really ought to have said something about this way back in September, before the actual Fest happened, so that more people would have had a chance to attend ... but, it being absolutely new this year and me being just loaded down with To-Dos on my list (and not being able to blog as often ...) And being one who likes to see how things go first before I make a big deal (because I was attending as an artist and had a table there with Chris) I just wanted to actually go and experience it before I said anything ...

THAT being said, I absolutely LOVED the first annual Handmade & Bound Festival hosted by Watkins College of Art & Design! It took place Friday September 30th, and Saturday October 1rst. Friday night was a reception and a juried show opening in the Brownlee O. Currey gallery, while Saturday was the fest itself.

It was great! FIRST of all there were food trucks and entertainers outside in the parking lot. Inside there were all sorts of artists specializing in book arts with tables, and we were able to show and/or sell our work. There were fine artists that made and bound their own leather-bound books, or created art in book shapes or artwork out of books themselves. Craft artists that made their own paper, or book-shaped/or paper jewelry (!) Several of us were writer/artists who made our own mini comics and 'zines, along with a couple of comics/zine distributors. Parnassus books -- the newest bookstore that will be opening up in Green Hills -- had a table and gave out bumper stickers and bookmarks. Even our local art supply stores Plaza Artist Materials and Jerry's Artarama had tables there, too.

This was my first visit to Watkins College. I was impressed, and the campus is absolutely beautiful. Breathing in the delicious paint/clay/textile-scented air in the hallways made me fondly reminisce about the few classes I had taken at the NY Art Students League ...! The folks all involved as our hosts for the Fest (I dunno if it's proper for me to identify them each here but they all know who they are ... thank ya'll SO much!!) were so nice and helpful to us and everyone! And God bless 'em for making us coffee!!

Chris & I gave away almost 100 copies of our different mini comics to Fest attendees on that Saturday when we attended. We brought copies of ¿Qué es Amor?, Penultimate Adventures 1 (which still makes me laugh. I really SO need to draw up #3!!), The Den and preview copies of Chapter One of the Graffiti graphic novel I'm working on.

We really enjoyed ourselves and meeting the other marvelous artists in attendance. I highly recommend a visit if you love book arts and are in town for it next year.

Next time I'll also aim to POST in advance and let ya'll know about it before the Fest begins!!