About the Event

Join the Library of Congress (LOC) and NMWA for a panel discussion with women artists in the Mid-Atlantic region nominated for NMWA’s upcoming 2027 exhibition, Women to Watch: A Book Arts Revolution. The evening will include remarks from NMWA Director Susan Fisher Sterling, a moderated discussion between artists and curators, and a pop-up exhibition of artists’ books from the LOC’s rare book collection.

Explore how book arts continue to challenge assumptions about the physical and artistic nature of the book and are defining a new chapter in book history. The evening will also include a reception for attendees.

Event Panelists

Elizabeth Ajunwa, director of the Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Irene Chan, a multidisciplinary artist who works conceptually in print media, papermaking, installation art, storytelling performance, and book arts on subjects of Taoism, personal immigrant narratives, and overlooked histories.

Lyall Harris, a visual artist, creative and critical writer, and arts educator, who also teaches book art, letterpress, and creative writing workshops and classes. Themes in Harris’s work include motherhood, relationships, and the everyday.

Sarah Matthews, a printmaker and book artist. Her work reflects her commitment to exploring the complex issues of race, equality, and gender, while shedding light on social injustice. Through her layered prints and artist books, she documents the struggles of breaking through social barriers.

Adriana Monsalve, an artist, educator, cultural worker and collaborative publisher working (mostly) in the photobook medium. Along with Caterina Ragg, Monsalve is co-founder of Homie House Press, a radical cooperative platform that challenges the ever-changing forms of storytelling with image and text.

Stephanie Stillo (moderator), chief of the Rare Book & Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress.

Janelle Washington, a self-taught paper-cut and silhouette designer from Richmond, Virginia. Through the simplicity of paper, Washington creates images that showcase African Americans’ courage, achievements, and grace in difficult situations. In addition, her work explores Black culture, history, identity, family, and feminine beauty themes.