News Article

Gonzaga University’s Foley Center Library is accepting submissions of original artists’ books that faithfully represent the science of evolution or the political and social history of evolutionary theory in an artistic codex, scroll, volvelle or other book arts forms. Submissions will be entered into a contest to celebrate the legacy of Charles Darwin.

Winning entries and Darwin will be celebrated at a reception on Darwin’s birthday, Feb. 12 (2009/TBA), the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary year of the publication of his seminal work, “On the Origin of Species.”

The primary goal of this contest is to celebrate human creativity and scientific progress with a small collection of original book arts on the theme of evolution and natural selection.

Book arts refer to hand bookmaking crafts and a group of diverse disciplines involved in creating handmade books. Book arts include every aspect of traditional book-making from traditional fine press printing, publishing and/or binding to one-of-a-kind artists’ books, conceptual bookworks and artists’ book installations. Book arts include a wide array of bookbinding methods, box construction, letterpress printing, printmaking, papermaking, woodblock cutting, paper decorating and much more. (A volvelle is a type of slide chart made with paper; it has rotating parts.)

There are no age restrictions to enter the contest and all entries (whether from students, amateur artists or professionals) will be judged by the same criteria. Entries will be evaluated by a diverse panel of judges -- including biologists, artists and librarians. Works chosen will be installed in the Foley Center’s Special Collections as part of the exhibition titled, “The Codex & The Helix: Book Arts Exploring Evolution.”

Organizers ask that entrants not send original artwork for consideration but instead send CDs, DVDs, slides or printed photographs of the work labeled with artist’s name, title of the work, date, materials used, and dimensions. All CDs, DVDs, slides, or printed photographs submitted will be returned if the artist includes a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage. The Foley Center is not responsible for lost CDs, DVDs, slides or printed photographs; do not send originals please.

The deadline is Oct. 31; all entries must be postmarked by Oct. 31. For more information, including rules and entry forms, visit the following link, contact Adrian Pauw, Foley Center Library public services department, at (509) 313-3844, or via e-mail. A Darwin Day group can be found online at Facebook.
 
Darwin Day, an international celebration of science and humanity, is observed annually on Feb. 12. In 2007, the Foley Center joined organizations worldwide in celebrating Darwin Day with a display on its main floor. Earlier this year, Foley Center hosted an interactive display that encouraged GU students, faculty and staff to comment on evolutionary science book reviews written by the Gonzaga biology department faculty.