Books are beloved objects to almost everyone and indeed works of art themselves. However, consider the unconventional idea of using a physical book to create a work of art, does it send chills down your spine to consider pulling a page from a book or do you feel creatively inspired? This course will introduce students to the artistic medium of books as artworks, in particular “altered” books. Throughout this course students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for books and all their components as a medium for art making. Students will work with books they have selected which will result in an “altered” book through different artistic approaches. In addition to discovering various artistic approaches to “altered” book art, students will study early versions of “altered” books, including Thomas Jefferson’s Bible as well as a variety of artists working in this unique and unconventional medium.