Student Bookmaking Exhibit on Display in Hillyer Art Library

Hillyer Art Library First Floor
On display through December 19, 2025

Hillyer Art Library is proud to display the works from two classes that have explored bookmaking this semester.

Nuestros Libros Cartoneros Poetry Exhibition

The Spanish & Portuguese Department and Hillyer Art Library present an exhibition of chapbooks with cardboard covers, created by students in Intermediate Spanish II - Poetry Appreciation (SPN220). Inspired by the Latin American tradition of libros cartoneros, which began in the early 2000s as an environmentally conscious approach to bookmaking, students compiled their poems written during the first eight weeks of the Fall 2025 semester and used recycled cardboard for their covers. Guided by their instructor, Ethel Barja, students demonstrated observation, creativity, imagination, and proficiency in Spanish. Their poems feature a range of techniques, including dreamlike writing, ekphrastic, visual, and prose poetry.

ABCs of Triangle, Square, Circle

Kenneth Botnick's class, The Book: Theory and Practice had students explore bookmaking drawing inspiration from the Bauhaus movement with the theme Triangle, Square, Circle.

Students were prompted to create a 16 page book investigating the dynamics of geometric form, investigating three primary shapes as expressive visual language and employing color relationships and overlays in primary colors—red/yellow/blue. The students were with tasked with developing a conceptual strategy for the sequential
codex form, translating the geometric symbols into a visual language, while using their manual skills in letterpress, color mixing, typesetting and binding.

Stop by HIllyer to see these impressive and expressive works! The books will be on display through the end of the semester.

Contact

Anna Helgeson, Visual Arts and Humanities Librarian: ahelgeson@smith.edu