First Meeting of Salt City Book Arts

Salt City Book Arts had its first meeting today at Syracuse University's Bird Library. Most of us have spent many hours reading online about what others have been doing in their studios/shops making books, letterpress printing, paper marbling and so many other related skills. So, it was about time for some of us in Central New York to meet in person for camaraderie, show and tell, discussions, movies and related activities.

Following introductions, the focus of our first meeting was a screening of the film Proceed and Be Bold about the printer, Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.

How far would you go for your one true love? Would you give up all of your earthly possessions, your job, and your family? What if your one true love was a printing press? At 40 years of age, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. abandoned the traditional American Dream to follow his own. Unsatisfied with his comfortable, middle-class life, Amos traded in his computer for a printing press and his white collar for a pair of overalls. Armed with life, liberty, peanuts, and a meager yearly income of $7,000, Amos cranked out a new, mutinous declaration of independence. Proceed and Be Bold! joins Amos for a titillating retelling of his story, while examining the pretensions and provisions of the art world. The work of this self-proclaimed "Humble Negro Printer" raises emotionally-charged questions and reveals remarkable depth beneath the bold print. By learning the rules and then choosing to break them, Amos redefines what life (and letterpress printing) can be: exhilarating and subversive. His provocative sense of humor seeps out of every word he speaks and his radical philosophies on the American consciousness (or unconsciousness) will awaken any listless bystander. After experiencing Amos' humble journey, you'll never look at your middle class life the same way again.

Following the movie, we shared current projects, discuss ideas for future meetings and get to know others interested in the printerly/bookerly/designerly arts!





As always with groups like this, broad participation helps ensure success. If you are interested in attending meetings, are interested in offering a program, or have ideas in general, please let us know (Links at right). We hope to meet every 6-8 weeks.

We look forward to welcoming you.