A new group exhibition titled "Book / Art" has opened at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel, curated by board member and artist Jim Dulz. The show features 11 artists—ranging from seasoned professionals like photographer Anna Rheim to emerging talent Raven Cook of the Youth Arts Collective—who explore the role of books in art through paintings, collages, fabric works, and political book pages. Artists include Julia Nelson-Gal, Tracey Harris, Pamela Takigawa, Susan Giacometti, Joy Colangelo, Jamie Dagdigian, Robert Armstrong, and Ingrid Brook-Kothlow. The exhibition runs from May 29 to June 28 with a free opening reception.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the enduring dialogue between literature and visual art, treating books not only as sources of inspiration but as physical materials and aesthetic objects. By bringing together a diverse group of artists—from established figures to a student from a local youth arts program—the show underscores the accessibility and community focus of Carmel's art scene. It also reflects a broader trend of artists repurposing books to comment on narrative, history, and politics, as seen in Pamela Takigawa's WWII-themed political book pages.