Program gives book to first lady

Members of the University's master of fine arts in book arts designed and built a book that Linda Bachus, wife of Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus, gave to first lady Laura Bush.

The gift included a book detailing Bush's family history, a scroll form of the book and a presentation box. Bachus presented it to her at Southern culture-themed luncheon in Washington, D.C., according to a University press release.

"Finding a gift for Mrs. Bush is a challenge," Bachus said in the press release. "It's difficult to come up with something unique and meaningful."

Steve Miller, professor and MFA program coordinator, designed the gift, and Amy Pirkle, a graduate student in the book arts program, created two copies of the art piece.

Miller said Bachus contacted him about creating a special gift to give to Bush at the luncheon. After gathering research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Bush's family history and old photos from family and friends in Texas, Miller and Pirkle began their work.

Miller said the biggest challenge was discovering how to present all this information.

"It was interesting typographically because we had to make something ordinarily unattractive, attractive," Miller said.

Using Bachus's information about Bush's favorite colors, blue and green, Pirkle bound the book, created a scroll form of the book and used Japanese fabrics and clamshell design to make the presentation box, Miller said.

Bachus said the gift was perfect for the event.

"Steve was just fabulous, even within a limited time. Everyone thought it was great," Bachus said. "I received a note from Mrs. Bush that they [her family] were thrilled, thanks to Steve."

This is not the first time that the University's book arts program has been called on to create a unique art piece for public figures. Miller said the program has created books for the Japanese prime minister and the Chancellor of the UA System.

The first lady's book is just one example of the many projects that the students in the book arts program are continually working to complete. According to the program's Web site, the program is one of only three in the country and is devoted to "the study of the art, craft and history of the whole book."

The program admits eight graduate students each year into the two to three-year program. Students work with artists and authors to create "books made for now," Miller said.

Students study four major areas of book arts - printing/publishing, book binding, papermaking and the history of the book, according to the program's Web site.

Students will produce books with text from poets, creative writers in UA's creative writing program or students will make books with blank pages, Miller said. Sometimes, students even work with well-known writers.

For example, Miller said Pirkle is working with Billy Collins, former U.S. poet laureate, to create a book for his poetry.