In a world of TVs and computers, Western New York Book Arts Center (WNYBAC) is bucking the digital trend with its ongoing dedication to the art of books, and the joy of reading. After a visit to the WNYBAC, a book will never quite look the same. That’s because the book arts center is constantly coming up with new ways to view book related materials.
One of the center’s most anticipated events of the year is the annual Annual BookFest & Members’ Show. Now in its 15th year, the event promises to provide family members with all of the tactile and sensory provisions that they need to look at books in a new and novel light.
The event celebrates local artists specializing in printmaking and book arts, and the artist in each of us.
“A playful, hands-on celebration of book arts, printmaking, and creative curiosity — BookFest invites everyone to INK IT UP and experience the joy of ink, paper, metal and wood type. BookFest is held in conjunction with an exhibition and opening reception in Book Arts’ Main Gallery by its Member Artist Community. Both events are free and open to the public.” – WNYBAC
Held indoor & outdoors, at BookFest, attendees can:
Peruse local, handcrafted creations in a pop-up artisan market —highlighting WNY craftspeople, artists, and writers specializing in book arts, printing, and handmade crafts.
Experience hands-on outdoor/indoor printmaking & workshops all day for all ages. Pull a letterpress poster on Olga, a 1930’s printing press, or type a poem on a vintage typewriter.
Screen print your own wearables – come with a fabric item (t-shirt or tote bag for FREE printing) or buy one from us.
Watch BookFest’s most beloved annual spectacle: steamroller printmaking — where a construction steamroller becomes a printing press, and artist-designed blocks get inked up for large-scale printing on the street!
About Book Arts’ Annual Members’ Show
The annual Members’ Show is one of Book Arts’ most cherished events. This exhibition, titled Good Impressions, will feature works from Book Arts’ diverse community of artists and makers, shedding light on the various artistic practices and unique talents of each member. Membership at Book Arts supports ongoing educational programming in its studios as well as out in the Western New York community. The member show will be on view June 6th – July 18th, 2026.
15th Annual BookFest will be held at 468 Washington Street in downtown Buffalo on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 from 11am-4pm.
Proceeds raised from the event support the WNY Book Arts Center, a 501(c)3 arts education nonprofit. Please visit wnybookarts.org/bookfest for more information and updates on this exciting event!
The event is a fundraiser for WNY Book Arts Center, one of the only publicly accessible spaces in the area with antique printing presses and other hard-to-find bookmaking & printing equipment, rarely seen outside a university or professional print shop.
To join Book Arts’ Membership Community, visit wnybookarts.org/membership
For information regarding gallery visitation hours and updates, visit wnybookarts.org/exhibitions.