Who needs 80 days? Last week, The Center for Book Arts traveled around the world in one evening with our annual Benefit Party, a celebration of books, artwork, and desert! We presented eight edible books - pictured above - and there were also twenty-five original pieces of art available for silent auction, all of which were sold to support the ongoing operations at the Center.

Thanks very much to all those who joined us at the party. We’re especially grateful to the chefs and artists whose culinary creations served as the centerpiece of the night’s festivities, the artists who contributed their work to the auction and those who created original postcards for our raffle. Long-time friend of the Center, Roni Gross, created the wonderful floral centerpieces. It’s the brilliance and originality of all these artists that make it possible for us to have such a successful benefit party each year.

The benefit party also serves as a special opportunity for the book arts community to come together to honor those individuals who have made major contributions to the field. This year, we honored Milan Hughston, Chief of Library and Museum Archives at The Museum of Modern Art; Arthur Jaffe of the Arthur & Mata Jaffe Collection at Florida Atlantic University Libraries; Master Letterpress Printer Peter Kruty; Master Binder Hedi Kyle; and artist Martha Rosler. We’re truly fortunate to have had the chance to celebrate such an accomplished group!

Finally, we must express our deepest gratitude to the many volunteers who made this evening possible. This glorious event was a testament to the talent and dedication of the artists and other individuals who contribute to the Center’s ongoing success.

Please click here to see photos from the event, and click here to view the artwork from the silent auction. A complete list of the artists and chefs who contributed can be viewed here.