2026
Seattle Art Book Fair
May 9–10, 2026
Washington Hall, Seattle, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for the Page Turner Fellowship FAQ
What is the Seattle Art Book Fair?
The Seattle Art Book Fair is a free annual festival that celebrates independent art publishing, book design, and artist books. The nonprofit event hosts local, national, and international artists, designers, and organizations and includes talks and workshops. The fair is focused on supporting and highlighting arts-driven publishing practices in the Pacific Northwest by bringing together seasoned practitioners and newcomers from our region and beyond.
LOCATION
Washington Hall in Seattle’s central district
153 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 9th 6-9 pm: Launch party (optional, offsite location)
Sat, May 10th 10-11 am: Exhibitors load-in
11-5 pm: Fair open to the public
6-8 pm: After party (optional, offsite location)
Sun, May 11th 10-11 am: Exhibitor’s Hangout Time (tentative, @ Washington Hall)
11-5 pm: Fair open to the public
5-6 pm: Exhibitors load-out
What is an art book?
Art books are a broad category of publications by artists, designers, and makers that reflect on books as a medium and publishing as an artistic practice. Art books often combine type, images, and materials in thoughtful ways that push the possibilities of what books can be.
Here are a few places that sell and distribute art books:
A small sampling of art books
What is an ‘art book fair’?
Art book fairs today are based largely on the model established by Printed Matter — which launched its first art book fair in 2004 to celebrate publishing as an artistic medium and book making as an alternative art practice.
Participants/vendors at art book fairs often represent independent publishing houses and art organizations + initiatives, as well as individual artists + designers.
For examples of participants, please see:
What does an art book fair look like?
Photos from SABF 2023. See Instagram for more photos: www.instagram.com/seattleartbookfair/
Public programs (talks, activities, installations) at SABF 2023
SABF 2024
I’m interested in applying to be a vendor/exhibitor! �What do I need to do?
All those interested in participating will need to apply for table or half-table at the 2026 fair. Link to application form:
{Link to Google Form to come}
Please note that not everyone who applies will get accepted due to space limitation and curation. Additionally not all styles of work will fit within our vision for this event.
If you’re not sure whether your books make sense for SABF, please see Slide 4 to get an idea of what we’re looking for. Additionally, you can look up past exhibitors on the web archive. We do welcome applications for first-time art book fair participants who have an active publishing practice. See the Page Turner Fellowship for folks extremely new to this field who live in WA State.
If you have further questions about whether or not your work is a good fit, please reach out to us at info@seattleartbookfair.org.
I’m interested in proposing a public program (workshop, demo, studio tour, panel discussion, etc). What do I need to do?
If you’re applying to be an exhibitor/vendor, there’s a section in the application for public program proposals. If you’re not applying to be an exhibitor/vendor, please reach out to us directly with your proposal: info@seattleartbookfair.org
All proposed programs should relate to art books, bookmaking, and book production. Contributor proposals will be selected based on their connection to these themes. Due to space and time limitations, not all proposals will be accepted.
I’m interested in volunteering!
A formal call for event volunteers will open in early 2026 (keep an eye on our newsletter or Instagram).
You can also contact us at info@seattleartbookfair.org for more information.
What are the COVID protocols for the fair?
We will follow the guidance of the King County public health authority as well as local and state laws concerning indoor gatherings at that time.
We encourage (but do not require) indoor masking. The front door will have a supply of free surgical masks for folks who wish to use them.
We’re committed to best practices that will keep both exhibitors and guests healthy and safe. Additional guidelines will be posted to our website as needed.
Are there other book fairs in the Pacific Northwest that I can apply to?
Yes! Seattle Art Book Fair is just one member of a growing community �of PNW-based book fairs:
SABF is co-organized by Jayme Yen and Tom Eykemans, both of whom have worked in arts, design, education, nonprofits, and publishing for many years in Seattle, along with a dedicated team of volunteers and advisors.
Seattle Art Book Fair is a Seattle-based nonprofit, powered by Shunpike, and supported by 4Culture and ArtsWA.
Please reach out to info@seattleartbookfair.org with any other questions.
Thanks and see you in May!
—SABF