What is Art of the Books?
Art of the Books is a project originally conceived as
a fundraiser for Libraries across the country which is predicated
on the many events featuring large, artist embellished fiberglass
animals that have been displayed throughout the country such
as Cows on Parade in Chicago, Where the Buffalo Roam
in Casper, Wyoming and Trail of the Painted Ponies in
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
This project was developed by
Annette Chaudet, the publisher of Pronghorn Press in Greybull,
Wyoming. (pronghornpress.org)
As an artist she has participated in two of those projects-the
Horse of Course in Billings, Montana and Where the Buffalo Roam
in Casper, Wyoming-and was selected as an artist for the BiIllings
Big Horn Magic project for 2005. Pronghorn Press published the
catalogue for Where the Buffalo Roam, so Annette has seen these
projects from both the artist's and the organization's side.
Inspired by the buzz created by the events and the participation
and excitement generated within the communities, she began to
think about how the idea could be adapted to raise money for
libraries who, large or small, are always strapped for funds.
The result is Art of the Books. It is the same basic premise
as the large animal projects but scaled down so that it can be
managed by even the very smallest libraries and yet can provide
a sizable fundraising opportunity for large organizations.
The project is based on a fiberglass
book form approximately 20" x30". The Book was chosen
as an apt symbol for libraries, literature and art. It was also
chosen for a number of very practical and important reasons,
not the least of which is that the cost of the Book itself is
only about 20% of the cost of the large animals.
Art of the Books will also make a smaller papier maché
pieces available to augment the larger books. The smaller pieces
are traditionally also decorated by artists and sold at a silent
auction in advance of the auction for the large pieces. We will
also offer a complete and detailed "How To" book which
should be available in April 2005.
The first Art of the Books
events are scheduled to kickoff the summer of 2006 but require
planning throughout 2005 so that you can be ready to start in
the fall of 2005. (See Timeline)
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