Kevin McFadden

I’ve been a member artist of a book arts collective at the Virginia Center for the Book in Charlottesville for two decades. The group annually undertakes a collaborative artists book project. Book arts-advocate and bookseller, the late Bill Stewart of Vamp & Tramp Booksellers, once called these collaborations “beautiful and smart—work that reaches audiences both inside and far outside Virginia. Quite honestly, we find it remarkable that a collective of artists can consistently produce works of such quality.” 

These two are among my favorites. A poet by training, traditional printing and binding methods seem most capable of honoring the artistry and writing that are meant to be returned to, again and again. Working with and inside this group has challenged me and often produced artistic creations that surprised us all.  

Now as an administrator at Rare Book School in Charlottesville, I too am struck by what energy and dedication these labors took. It is usually a stipulation of the collaborations that a participating artist receives a copy, so I’ve been developing a collection of these works that are well represented in public and private collections across the country and abroad.