I’m writing to you today as the new FBAC Executive Director, Casey Smith. The Frederick community has been so welcoming and supportive; I can’t say enough about how special Frederick is. My years on the faculty of the Corcoran College of Art + Design and the Delaware College of Art and Design taught me directly what a difference art education makes. The book arts (printmaking, binding, and allied arts) are genuinely holistic. Visual and sculptural form works together with language and literature to make something new. An artist book is not a mere thing, it’s a tool, a time machine, a way to better comprehend the human condition. No other art form can match the power of the hand-printed and hand-made book. Our staff, volunteers, and board members understand this implicitly, and they work hard every day to put it into action.

 

Come to our “Celebration of Achievements” at FBAC on December 6. Admission is free, and the brief public program will start at 2:00. We’ll have all kinds of creative activities that day. We’ll also formally open our darkroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the conclusion of the program. Bring your family and friends. No RSVP is necessary. 

 

FBAC moved into its gorgeous new home just under two years ago. In this short time, we’ve established ourselves as an art destination, a place you “must” visit when you come to Frederick. We’re still somewhat new, so we would appreciate your efforts in telling our story to your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. We are delivering on our mission to promote and teach the book arts to wide and diverse communities. Collaboration is key to everything we do. Artists collaborate with each other in our studios, just as the staff and teachers at FBAC collaborate with other members of the community.

 

One form of collaboration is quite simple: Donate to FBAC. Your financial support, at any level, helps us to continue to grow and reach new audiences. Maybe you’re a student or someone on a fixed income? Give what you can. Every dollar helps. Maybe you would like to support FBAC at a substantial level? That would be great! We’re ready to answer all of your questions about how your donation will make a direct and lasting impact. This is an invitation for you to become part of our community.  You can also support FBAC by becoming a member, taking our classes, volunteering or giving in other ways. These are all wonderful ways to get involved. Direct donations, however, help us to support FBAC where it needs it the most. 

 

Here is a list of some (but not all) of our notable accomplishments in 2025.

 

• We offered over 35 classes and workshops, and served more than twice as many students compared to 2024. This doesn’t include all of our special classes, private lessons, and school groups.

• We mounted 5 exciting and professional exhibitions in our Arlene Kaufman Memorial Gallery complete with artist talks, opening receptions, and other related programming.

• We welcomed over 4,000 people to our studio, gallery, and public booths at street festivals. Our “Manhole Cover Printing” is a staple on the Frederick cultural calendar. 

• We gave countless tours of our studio and gallery to curious community members, and we gave each visitor the opportunity to make their own letterpress-printed keepsake.

• We opened our photo darkroom to community use. FBAC has the only truly public darkroom facility in greater Frederick.

• We reached out to the community at street festivals, public libraries, local schools and Girl Scout troops to bring book arts education outside our studio walls.

• We printed and distributed our Pride flags and T-shirts to Frederick merchants, and we were major participants in the Frederick Pride Festival and Parade.

• We established a relationship with Hood College’s MFA program in Creative Writing. Hood students will study and make visual poetry in our letterpress studio next summer. 

• We partnered with Curious Iguana bookstore to host author events, poetry readings, and other literary events. 

• We taught a workshop and hosted the closing reception of the annual conference of the Maryland Art Educators’ Association.

• We instituted a weekly gathering of lithographers who meet on Sunday from 10 to 2, hence the name “Litho Church.” Come and join the non-sectarian congregation.

• We rehabilitated our 19th century Hoe Washington Press to working order and acquired a new board shears, new metal and wood type, and other much-needed studio gear.

• We worked directly with Frederick-area tourism resources such as The Downtown Frederick Partnership, the Frederic Arts Council, and Visit Frederick. 

• Most importantly, we held strong and true to our values in making FBAC a welcoming and safe place for all people regardless of age, ability, race, religion, gender identity, or immigration status.

 

To make a donation by mail, please make checks payable to Frederick Book Arts Center. 

Our mailing address is 127 S. Carroll St, Frederick, MD, 21701.

 

To donate online, please click the DONATE TODAY button below. We need your support to continue delivering on our mission and vision.  

 

For tax purposes, FBAC’s EIN is 82-3894693

 

Your donation makes a difference! Thank you for being a supporter and friend!

You can reach me directly at casey.smith@fredbookartscenter.org. I would love to 

hear from you.

 

Many Thanks,

 

Casey Smith (he/him)

Executive Director