main

The first Chicago Art Book Fair is dedicated to showcasing emerging directions and diverse legacies within small press arts publishing. The fair features an international group of over 100 arts publishers, small presses, book artists, comics artists, zinemakers and printmakers. The fair will take place over the course of three and a half days from November 16–19, and will also feature satellite programming and after parties. CABF is free and open to the public.

11.9.17

We are thrilled to announce our programming series celebrating the rich and varied practices of arts publishers in Chicago and beyond. Organized and presented with support from the Graham Foundation, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Service Bureau, and No Coast Editions, the CABF’s programs will be held throughout each day of the fair, from November 16 to November 19th, at CABF’s host site the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, and at partner locations across the city. Take a look under program for full details. Mark your calendars! There's one week to go!!!

exhibitors

Jury Selection

The applications for CABF are reviewed and selected by No Coast and a peer jury of 22 local artists, printmakers, publishers and librarians dedicated to supporting CABF's mission. Exhibitors are chosen based on aggregate scores in response to the strength of their portfolios as submitted.

Applications

Applications for the 2017 Chicago Art Book Fair have closed. Please stay tuned here for information on the next fair, which will be released in Spring 2018.

program

Main Venue & Exhibition Hours

Thursday, Nov 16: 6–9p (Opening/Preview)
Friday, Nov 17:   12–7p
Saturday, Nov 18: 11a–7p
Sunday, Nov 19:   12–6p

Anchor Sites

CALENDAR

about

The first Chicago Art Book Fair is dedicated to showcasing emerging directions and diverse legacies within small press arts publishing. The fair features an international group of over 100 arts publishers, small presses, book artists, comics artists, zinemakers and printmakers. The fair will take place over the course of three and a half days from November 16–19, and will also feature satellite programming and after parties. CABF is free and open to the public.

The Chicago Art Book Fair is a project of No Coast, a collaborative venture which is equal parts master printer for artists and an affordable, publicly accessible distributor for contemporary art. After our travels around the world to different art book fairs, collections, stores, galleries, and libraries, we hope to bring our experiences of many, varied arts publishing events to Chicago. While Chicago is and has been home to many yearly convenings of print enthusiasts, this is the first following the “Art Book Fair” model that has spread to so many communities in recent years.

+

ACCESSIBILITY: All ADA Accessible event locations are denoted with the “” symbol in the Program section. Specific accessibility questions can be directed to us via email (below).

Gender neutral restrooms are available on the second floor of CAA off the Game Room, and by the 4th Floor CABF vending area, Stagg Court.

Parents: please be aware aisles may get crowded especially in the later hours of the fair and it may be difficult to navigate with a stroller. Take note that we do not censor or label our exhibitors' work or our programming, and you may not consider some content suitable for children - please use your best judgment.

+

WAYS TO PAY: Support our artists and small presses! CABF is free to enter but it is a vendor-based event. We run on love but our artists live off sales ;)

It is up to individual exhibitors as to how they will accept payments, but most will be able to accept credit and debit cards via mobile payment technology. If paying cash, ATMs are plentiful in downtown Chicago, but please try to come prepared with small bills.

All satellite programming is free, with the exception of sliding scale entry for our Saturday night Zine Not Dead event (with proceeds going to guest performers).

Staff

Co-Founders and Directors:
Aay Preston-Myint & Alexander Valentine

Assistant Directors:
Imani Jackson & Conor Stechschulte

Graphic Design: Platform

Volunteers

Zeb Arrington
Haley Clark
Alice Crippa
Renata Cruz Lara
Nicole Del Rio
Colin Dickson
Evan Fusco
Rowan Howe
Will Krauland
Julia Kulon
Yewon Kwon
Paige Landesberg
Rohan McDonald
Dutes Miller
Janelle Miller
Martha Morimoto
Max Morris
Kane Shirley

Contact

Email: chicagoabf@gmail.com
Instagram: @chicago_art_book_fair
Facebook Event Page

Partners & Sponsors