A new art display on the Glickman Library’s 7th floor features the 12 students of Rebecca Goodale’s Special Topic Book Arts class. Their assignment was to make a pop-up book of any topic of interest.
A reception was held this past Wednesday night opening the student’s art and a few of the pop-up books they used as inspiration. The class started when Rebecca Goodale found that the Special Collections office at USM had close to 1,000 pop-up books donated by Anne D. Williams’ family. She decided to teach a class that studied these books and the students have been enthusiastically receptive.
“It’s the best class I have this semester,” Said Erik Stoesser-Casad.
“I’ve done more work, mentally and physically making these books, than any other class.” Louise Nisbet said of her book Dancing Shadows. “I did over 100 different pages before I chose the ones I wanted for this book.”
The class is learning everything from buying the correct paper and tools to binding the books and pages. They also went to see Susie Bock, the Head of Special Collections on the 6th floor of the Glickman Library. There they viewed the pop-up books Anne D. Williams and her family donated a few years ago, ranging from Jabberwocky to Batman.
“The art of the pop-up goes back to medical use and possibly earlier.” Susie Bock said. “In the early 20th century medical pop-up books were made to help students study the body.”
Once the idea entered for pop-up children’s books the industry took off.
“Studying children’s pop-up books shows the interesting ideas that the past generation wants to instill into its children.” Susie Bock said. “I believe this style of book, with successful writers like Robert Sabuda, is at its highest form.”
The student’s books will be on display until December 12th . u