Baltimore, MD / July 11, 2015 

Members of the APHA Chesapeake Chapter visited the Baltimore area on July 11th, starting in the morning at the Kelmscott Bookshop owned by Chapter member Fran Durako. After lunch at the Baltimore Museum of Art we were treated to view the outstanding collection of artist books belonging to Chapter members Betty and Edgar Sweren, at their home. Finally, the day finished at the shop of Chapter member Val Lucas in bucolic Monkton, MD.

Chesapeake Chapter members gathered after a lunch at the Baltimore Museum of Art at the home of Betty (third from left) and Edgar (far right) Sweren. In addition to their library attendees enjoyed viewing the Sweren’s museum quality furniture, studio glass and other craft pieces

Above: Members of the APHA Chesapeake Chapter including Chris Manson (left) and Jackie Coleburn (right) gather, under the watchful gaze of the shop cat, at the Kelmscott Bookshop in Baltimore on July 11th.

Kelmscott Bookshop owner and Chesapeake Chapter member Fran Durako displays a selection of artist and fine press books for (left to right) Ron Schwartz, Casey Smith, Chris Manson, Patterson Clark, owner Durako, Jackie Coleburn, and Val Lucas (in foreground).

(left to right) Jackie Coleburn, Val Lucas, Patterson Clark, and Donald Farren examine books from the Sweren’s collection that were passed around the table.

Betty shows off one of the artist books in her collection.

Betty displays a book created for her by calligrapher Suzanne Moore, who was one of the two Americans on the St. John’s Bible team.

(left to right) Jackie Coleburn, Val Lucas, Patterson Clark, Donald Farren, Betty Sweren, Ron Schwartz, Chris Manson, and George Barnum at the library table. On display at the near end of the table is an example of the innovative binding of many of the artist books.