Donate to Support Virginia Book Arts

Since 1995, Virginia Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has sponsored our Book Arts program, providing studio space in Charlottesville’s historic Jefferson School City Center, technical services, and a paid program director. Following the recent cancellation of federal funding to NEH and its affiliates, Virginia Humanities is no longer able to provide institutional sponsorship for our organization.

In the face of this existential challenge, we are committed to surviving, evolving, and continuing to practice and promote book arts in Central Virginia.

Who We Are

Virginia Book Arts has grown from a handful of artists interested in preserving the history and craft of the book to a thriving community of letterpress printers, bookbinders, printmakers, and paper artists based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Over the last 30 years, we have practiced and passed along traditional bookmaking and related skills while encouraging innovation and collaboration. We value the book as both an art form and a conveyor of knowledge, culture, and inspiration.

We also serve as stewards for a burgeoning collection of printing and bookbinding equipment that now includes vintage letterpresses and the largest publicly accessible trove of wood and metal type in the Mid-Atlantic.

We have maintained an open studio policy, welcoming all who are interested in book arts — from the newly curious to the professional artist — to take a class or workshop, attend our in-person and virtual events, join our organization, and become certified to work independently with our tools. We consider this outreach and inclusiveness to be integral to our mission.

Visit us at vabookarts.org