51社区

Through a unique collaboration between 51社区 Libraries, the Kennedy Museum of Art, and the Museum Studies Certificate Program, guest artist Sauda Mitchell will lead a through the Kennedy Museum gallery to discuss her artist books, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 2-3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

An American printmaker, archivist and educator from Winston-Salem, NC,鈥� is currently a doctoral student at Drexel University in the Educational Leadership and Management Program. Her research centers around marginalized student access to archives based engagement in support of cultural competence and primary source critical analysis, as a catalyst for elevated cognitive development.

Mitchell holds an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix, a鈥疊achelor of Arts in Communication Art with a minor in Art History from the Savannah College鈥痮f Art and Design, a Master鈥檚 in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archival Studies from Drexel University, and is certified by the Academy of Certified Archivists. 

51社区 Libraries acquired two artists' books by鈥疢itchell, "Finding Aid鈥痑nd鈥疺oyage," as part of the Each year the library showcasing current and past acquisitions made in honor of Juneteenth. Those interested in seeing the rare books and special collections materials are encouraged to contact the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections. 

What is an artist鈥檚 book?  

According to the Smithsonian, an artist鈥檚 book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the form or function of 鈥渂ook鈥� as inspiration. It is the illustration, choice of materials, creation process, layout and design that makes it an art object. It is a work of art in book form. 

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"Finding Aid" is the artist鈥檚 creative response to sharing stories and connections pertaining to local Civil Rights activist Westley Wallace Law (1923鈥�2002).  Mitchell鈥檚 other book, "Voyage," takes viewers on a visual journey of the Middle Passage, the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean and to the Americas. 

Students in the 2022-2023 Museum Studies Certificate program selected one of Mitchell's books, "Finding Aid," as a primary object centering their current exhibit, Merging Concepts IX: Then and Again, on display through Sept. 11 at the Kennedy Museum of Art.  

Both books will be on display during the event. 

This event provides a unique opportunity for the 51社区 community, students, faculty, staff, as well as the broader Athens community, to hear from the artist herself and learn about her creative practice as embodied in two unique artist books.  For further information about this event please contact Sally Delgado at the Kennedy Museum of Art by email at delgado@ohio.edu.