Walter Feldman: Book Arts & Beyond
March – May 2026
Walter S. Feldman (1925 – 2017) was a modernist painter, printmaker, mosaicist, and book artist who spent most of his life and career in Providence, Rhode Island.
In 1985, Feldman shifted his focus toward the creation of handmade artists’ books, a transition that redefined the arc of his career. After more than twenty years at Brown University, Feldman established Ziggurat Press — followed by Brown/Ziggurat Press in 1990 — where he conceptualized books as unified works of art. His practice integrated image, text, structure, and typography into objects that challenge traditional distinctions between visual art and the book form.
Two major themes shaped Feldman’s approach: collaborative works developed with poets, and introspective volumes that address central concerns of his artistic life—World War II, Jewish identity, memory, and an exploration of typography and mark making. His contributions to the field were recognized in 1993 with his appointment as John Hay Professor of Bibliography, and his influence endures through the Walter Feldman Book Arts Studio at the John Hay Library, founded in 2005.
Feldman’s artists’ books have been shown widely and are included in significant public collections such as Harvard Library, Boston Public Library, New York Public Library, the Library of Congress, Wellesley College, and Brown University, among others.
Earth & Sky / Whales & Ravens: A Cataloging Project by Robert Garzillo
March – May 2026
While on sabbatical from the Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design in Fall 2025, librarian Robert Garzillo worked with the Providence Athenæum staff to catalog newly acquired materials and make them discoverable through the online catalog.
The concept for this project had its genesis in recent additions to the collection made possible by the Hayden Special Collections Development Fund, as well as a significant gift from collector Susan Jaffe Tane and contributions from several other members and donors.
These volumes are rare and occasionally unique art objects as much as they are books and require the assistance of an original cataloger to fully describe both their contents and physical characteristics. It can be a meticulous process to fully describe the nuances of each item, but it is an essential component of special collections cataloging to foster discovery and support research.
Robert Garzillo supervises the cataloging unit of the Fleet Library at RISD. His responsibilities include cataloging special collections materials such as artists’ books and zines, the oversight of record management, and maintenance of the library catalog. He also manages conservation and preservation at the library.
A First-Class Fool: Mark Twain and Humor
November 2025 – January 2026
Few writers have captured the American spirit as vividly, or as wittily, as Mark Twain (1835-1910). Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain remains one of the world’s most widely read and best loved authors, and his iconic characters, distinctive look, and literary style continue to inspire generations more than a century after his death.
Before becoming a celebrated author, Twain worked as a riverboat pilot, journalist, typesetter, and even silver prospector, collecting the experiences and voices of everyday people as he traveled across the globe. His time on the Mississippi River inspired his pen name, derived from a riverboat term meaning “safe water.” Twain’s work and remarkable sense of humor earned him a fortune he lost and regained, made him a household name, and created an enduring literary legacy.
Drawn exclusively from the incredible private collection of Susan Jaffe Tane, A First-Class Fool presents first and rare editions of Twain’s published works, personal items, artwork, and ephemera.
Works on view were previously exhibited at the Grolier Club, New York, January – April, 2025. The accompanying text was contributed by the curators, Susan Jaffe Tane, Gabriel Mckee, and Julie Carlsen. Poster design by Miko McGinty.
