Exhibits

Current exhibit in the Circulation Room and Gillis Hall,
Library and Courts Building

“The Art of Haiku”

“The Art of Haiku” exhibit features haiku poem cards, known as shikishi. Created by some of Japan’s most prominent haiku poets of the 20th century, the shikishi combine poetry and artful calligraphy on fine handmade paper. Shikishi are typically given as gifts to mark a special occasion, and the exhibit features works that were a gift from the Museum of Haiku Literature in Tokyo to the Haiku Society of America, whose archives are housed at the State Library. Since 1996, the State Library has been home to the American Haiku Archives, the world’s largest public collection of haiku and related poetry books and papers outside Japan. Books and magazines on haiku and a handmade book of haiku poetry are also on display, in addition to haiku written by prominent American writers.

The exhibit is free and open to the public weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., through April 2018, on the 3rd floor of the Library and Courts Building, 914 Capitol Mall in Sacramento.

CURRENT EXHIBIT IN SUTRO LIBRARY
J. PAUL LEONARD LIBRARY - SUTRO LIBRARY, 5TH FLOOR READING ROOM
1630 HOLLOWAY AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132

"Cataloging the World: Natural History Illustration in the Enlightenment"

The Enlightenment fueled Europeans to embark on voyages of discovery during the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth century. Mounted as purely scientific ventures, they sought to gather specimens and to document and catalog newly discovered flora and fauna that would crowd the cabinets of Natural History Museums. Illustrations were meant to be practical, but they also reflect Enlightenment ideals in their beauty and extra flourishes, perspectives where art and science meet.

The exhibit is free and open to the public weekdays, 10am – 4pm, April – June, 2018.

CURRENT EXHIBIT IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY BUILDING FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR GALLERIES

"FOR THE JOY OF DOING: A SELECTION OF FINE PRINTING
FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY"

On display now at the State Library Branch at 900 N Street is an exhibit devoted to the history of fine printing and book arts in California. The exhibit, For the Joy of Doing, is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

California, perhaps because of its remoteness from large publishing and printing firms, has enjoyed a remarkable history in the fine and private press movement surpassing virtually every other state and region in the country. Beginning with Edward Bosqui in the 1860s, the State Library has amassed a large collection of fine printing. Represented in the exhibit are examples from fine pressman John Henry Nash as well as Edward and Robert Grabhorn from the early 20th century.

According to Stanley Morison, prominent British typographer and printing historian, "Fine printing may be described as the product of a lively and seasoned intelligence working with carefully chosen ink, type and paper."

This exhibit includes excellent examples from such fine printers as Ward Ritchie, Lewis and Dorothy Allen, William Everson, Adrian Wilson, Richard J. Hoffman, Vance Gerry, Andrew Hoyem, Peter Koch, and Robin Heyeck. In addition to the individual printers, fine presses featured in the exhibit include Grabhorn Press, Fine Arts Press, Plantin Press, and Weather Bird Press.

For the Joy of Doing will be on display through the end of the year.

The exhibit was curated by Gary Kurutz, Special Collections Librarian Emeritus and Daniel Flanagan with the invaluable assistance from Vince Beiderbecke.