For Immediate Release

Contacts: Kathy Barr, (415) 565-0545 ext 13

San Francisco, Calif.—August 25, 2005-The San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB), today announced 23 local community artists will come together to help raise awareness for the book arts at the Center's second annual fundraiser, Roadworks: Steamroller Prints, on Saturday, September 24, 2005 at Carolina Street between 15th and 16th, 10:00am-4:00pm.

See how a small-scale form of relief printing, developed in Poland after the Second World War, is taken to the next level. Artists will create original 3 feet by 3 feet linocut prints that are carved and inked, and pressed by a two ton steamroller. These original prints will be auctioned at the Center from 4:30pm-7:30pm during a live auction. In addition, the Center will also host a silent book arts auction.

Once an art form used by Kandinsky, Matisse and Picasso, artists like Carl Dern, Daniel Gonzalez, Charles Hobson, Rik Olson, Laura Parker, Brad Robinson, Katherine Venturelli, and returning artist Michael Osbourne, designer of the 2002 love stamp, will create prints for the occasion.

From the Artists
"This event is amazing because it gives me the opportunity to make prints on a grand-scale," said Brad Robinson. "Also, it's a great way for me to help raise funds for an organization dedicated to keeping book arts alive. The Center is a place where one is able to do hands-on art in an age of mass production."

"The San Francisco Center for the Book is THE primary resource for book arts in the Bay Area," noted Carl Dern. "We are very lucky to have the Center here for us to learn, see exhibitions, take classes and even teach them, as I do. Last year's Steamroller event was such a success. I am creating a linoleum block print again for this year's fundraiser because it's a way for me to contribute and give back to the Center. I hope to see the center grow over the years and I am gratified to be a part of this event."

"I'm a huge fan of the San Francisco Center for the Book because of the amazing range of creative opportunities it offers," noted Charles Hobson. "No where else can you get immediate insight into a wide-range of disciplines such as letterpress printing to stamp making, journal keeping to block carving, bookbinding to pinhole photography and more. It's a veritable feast for creative hunger."

From the Center
"We are grateful to all of the artists for donating their artistic skills and time for our cause," said Kathy Barr, executive director of SFCB. "It is important that we continue to provide the community with a Center that helps engage diverse artists and learners in finding creativity and expression through the book arts."

The fun-filled day includes music by the Burning Band, straight from Burning Man, book art activities for all ages and booths showcasing hand crafted book art.

Admission
Fundraiser/Block Party: 10-4pm - Free.
Auction/Cocktail Party: 4:30-7:30pm - $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
To order tickets, please contact Kathy Barr at the San Francisco Center for the Book. (415)-565-0545

About San Francisco Center for the Book
The San Francisco Center for the Book is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring and encouraging contemporary interpretations of the book as an art object, as well as preserving the traditional art of book-making. The center provides both a home for Bay Area book artists and a place where the wider community can discover book arts. Our scores of workshops foster learning at all levels: from introductory classes to year long courses, from traditional bookbinding to cutting-edge printing techniques to experimental book art forms. In addition, the center's youth program provides a forum for artistic expression and discovery of emerging literacy among the young. Plus, there's always an exhibition up at the Center, designed to inform and delight visitors. Free public programs abound, too, from poetry readings, to book signings to gallery talks. For a calendar of events, visit our Website www.sfcb.org.

The San Francisco Center for the Book is a 501(C)3 nonprofit educational organization that depends on the involvement and generosity of individuals and on contributions from foundations and government agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts to provide many of its education initiatives, public events and book-arts programming.