Artists and crafters are being invited to upcycle used unsalable books into artworks to support operation of Dunedin’s Regent Theatre.

For over three decades, the Regent 24 Hour Book Sale has been one of the highlights on the Dunedin calendar. This year’s sale is introducing an exciting new initiative giving new life to old books. Books As Art will be part of the 38th Regent 24 Hour Book Sale being held from midday on Friday 8 June 2018.

Organisers hope Books As Art will be become an annual feature of the sale. Books As Art encourages people to transform the pages of old books into sculptures and artworks. The book art will be displayed during the 24 Hour Book Sale and available for purchase, with a percentage of sales supporting the Regent Theatre’s community ownership.

Regent Theatre Trust of Otago board members and Books as Art organisers, Jennifer Anglin and Matthias Schorer are encouraging entries from artists as well as crafters, school students and community groups. “Books As Art is a great opportunity for people to reuse books in a creative way, ensuring they have a new life.”

Jennifer said, “We’ve been inspired by a similar exhibition in Dunedin’s sister city, Edinburgh and can’t wait to see Dunedin people apply their creativity to give new life to used books. It’s the perfect challenge for a City of Literature. Books can be upcycled into beautiful art – whether its origami type page folding, intricate sculpted pages or using pages to make or cover items.”

“We envisage this inaugural event will capture the imagination of all ages and become an iconic part of Dunedin’s cultural fabric just as the Regent 24 Hour Book Sale.”

Entries will be judged by a panel headed by Dunedin Public Art Gallery Director Cam McCracken who will lead a panel which will include artist Nicola Jackson.

Those who want to turn their hand to making old books into art will be able to pick up free pre-loved books from the beginning of March until late May at the Otago Polytechnic Hub on the corner of Forth and Union Streets, University of Otago's Information Services Building,
The Antheneum, First Church, and on Sunday mornings from the Roslyn Mill.

People making Books As Art must enter their completed artworks by Thursday 31 May 2018.

More information, including an entry form, is available on The Regent Theatre website www.regenttheatre.co.nz.

ENDS.

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