Inspired by Victor Hammer, founder of the Wells College Press and internationally renowned calligrapher, type designer, painter and printer, the Wells College Book Arts Center was established in 1993 to instruct in all areas of the book arts and technologies. The students in our classes learn the history and philosophy of their craft as they develop hand skills and cultivate aesthetic awareness in printing and the fabrication of books. In addition, they learn experientially through internships at conservation labs, museums, letter foundries and similar book arts institutions. 

The Center embraces historical arts and technologies while actively investigating and incorporating innovations of our digital age. The Wells Book Arts Center supports the mission of the College by revealing the essential role of the book in Western culture and the liberal arts.

We offer a number of book arts events throughout the year, including the Susan Garretson’60 Memorial Book Arts Lecture each semester and the Wells Book Arts Summer Institute in July.  Our News page will list recent and upcoming lectures. You can see details about and the complete offerings of our Summer Institute, and download an application form at the Summer Institute page, where we will also soon announce the faculty and course titles for the 2009 Institute. Information regarding scheduled events will always be posted on our News page. For more information, feel free to contact us.