Art on Paper is once again partnering with Center for Book Arts (CBA) to present this year’s edition of BOOKSMART FAIR, an artists’ book fair located at the front of this year’s Art on Paper. CBA has selected 34 artists, presses and institutions to take part in this year’s edition, each of whom will bring a curated selection of artists’ books that engage the form in a myriad of ways — ranging from highly tactile and physical objects to conceptual works.
Artist talks and educational panels will complement the book fair’s offerings throughout the weekend. The schedule includes special presentations on the making of their contributed artists’ books, featuring artists and publishers Aarati Akkapeddi, Te Editions, and Ñ press.
Paper Pop-Up Workshop with Josefina Seba of x_x editorial
Friday, September 5th | 3 – 4pm
Join x_x, a small fantasy publishing house, for a hands-on pop-up book workshop. x_x was founded as a nomadic and queer-centered space, prioritizing the work of trans, non-binary, and/or migrant creators from around the world.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic techniques of pop-up art. Each participant will design and create their own unique paper environment, and we’ll then bind them all together to form a single, collaborative book!
Gabriel Sosa of Ñ Press
Saturday, September 6th | 4:30-5:30pm
Gabriel Sosa, the founder of Ñ Press, will discuss the creation and mission of this unique community print studio and publishing platform. Established specifically for the 2025 Boston Public Art Triennial, Ñ Press utilizes Risograph and screenprinting to produce posters, pamphlets, zines, and T-shirts. The press celebrates the transient nature of public space, offering a welcoming hub for connection, activism, and education within the East Boston community.
Minnan Exit: In Discussion with Artist Wen-You Cai and Michael Guo of te editions
Saturday, September 6th, 2025 | 5:45pm – 6:30pm
Te editions is a publishing collective based in New York and Beijing that explores the intersection of art and the humanities. Editor-in-Chief Michael Guo will join us for a discussion on the creation of their publication, Minnan Exit.
Designed by RELATED DEPARTMENT, the book is a poignant exploration of memory and mortality. It can be seen as a family album, a collection of photographs, or a personal journey. The design team’s visual concept draws from Minnan funeral rituals and objects, creating a publication that is deeply rooted in regional culture while navigating universal themes.
BOOK LAUNCH: In the Belly of the Beast by Aarati Akkapeddi
Sunday, September 7th | 3 – 4pm
Aarati Akkapeddi is a Brooklyn-based artist, coder, and educator who uses machine learning and printmaking to create work about memory and history.
In conversation with CBA’s Deputy Director Rebecca Mzengi Corey, Akkapeddi will speak about In The Belly of the Beast, their project inspired by Tipu’s Tiger, an 18th-century automaton. The work includes an interactive website where visitors can explore a 3D scan of the tiger’s interior. Inside, they’ll discover videos of colonial monuments and can symbolically “feed the tiger,” a gesture that engages with the legacy of colonialism and the repatriation of cultural artifacts.
Collections Show and Tell with CBA Librarian, Nicole Rosengurt
Sunday, September 7th | 4 – 5pm
From DIY zines to one-of-a-kind artists’ books, and all the paper magic in between, the collections at Center for Book Arts offer discoveries for every kind of book lover. Join CBA’s Librarian and Collections Manager, Nicole, as she shares insights into the craft and history of some of the collection’s treasures—accessible to the public in our Flatiron studios and gallery.
A look at BOOKSMART FAIR’s 2025 exhibitor list below.
