UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder, artist, writer and bookbinder, will serve as the distinguished speaker for the Penn State University Libraries’ 2023 Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture in the Book Arts, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park. Participants may also register to attend virtually via Zoom. A reception following the lecture will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.
About the lecture
How can we express the true essence of a story beyond just words on a page? How can we capture and communicate all the liminal space where ink and paper cannot reach? Schroeder shares artists' books, a uniquely intimate and tangible space for connection and reflection, that expand traditional expectations of the book to create new and unexpected experiences in storytelling. Using thoughtfully crafted materials, artists' books activate sensations of touch and texture while movable “pop-up” mechanisms make the reader an active participant in the narrative.
About the speaker
A book artist based in San Antonio, Texas, Schroeder holds a master of fine arts degree in book art and creative writing from Mills College and is the proprietor of Coyote Bones Press. Schroeder was the 2019-21 Artist in Residence at Jaffe Center for Book Arts, and winner of the 2022 Minnesota Center for the Book Arts Prize recognizing excellence in the field of book arts. Schroeder’s work examines objects and landscape as metaphors for the human experience. Her work takes form as sculptural book structures and found objects, combining traditional and contemporary bookbinding and printing techniques.
Workshop
In cooperation with her lecture, Schroeder will lead a hands-on workshop for students from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 12, in the Mann Room, 103 Paterno Library, during which participants can make their own eight-fold booklets to tell a story using collage, folding, and paper-cutting techniques. All materials and tools will be provided. The free workshop is limited to 20 students, and registration is required.
About the Charles W. Mann Lecture
The Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture in the Book Arts is named in honor of the first Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair for Special Collections in the University Libraries. This annual event, featuring scholars with academic research areas connected to the materials held in the Eberly Family Special Collections Library, is made possible by the Mary Louise Krumrine Endowment and the generous support it provides, and is sponsored by Penn State University Libraries. If you would like to learn more about this endowment, special programming at the University Libraries, or are interested in helping support events like this, please contact Bob Darrah, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at rjd18@psu.edu.
For additional information about the Mann Lecture in the Book Arts, or if attendees anticipate needing physical accommodations or questions about access provided, contact Clara Drummond at cjd86@psu.edu, or the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at spcollections@psu.edu or 814-865-1793, in advance of the event.