Women to Watch 2027:

A Book Arts Revolution

Women to Watch is the National Museum of Women in the art’s exhibition program that features underrepresented and emerging women artists from each committee’s respective region.

Wyoming participated in this signature program for the first time in 2024, and will again for the next occurrence in 2027.

Women to Watch 2027: A Book Arts Revolution

In recognition of NMWA’s 40th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Women to Watch, Women to Watch 2027 will showcase contemporary artists’ books—works of art in book form, which often encourage “readers” to rethink the nature of books in new or unexpected ways by fusing together a wide variety of materials and formats.

Wyoming will participate by selecting a Wyoming curator, who will submit 3-5 Wyoming Women to Watch Book Artists to NMWA, one of which will be chosen to be represented in the national exhibit in 2027. Curation will occur throughout 2025, and we will look forward to announcing Wyoming’s next set of Women to Watch in early 2026.

Defining Book Arts

An artwork in the book form, where form and content support or strengthen one another.

Core Characteristics:

  • Created by an artist or artists as original artworks

  • Books as conceptual, tactile, and visual experiences

  • Often resist commercial or conventional publishing norms

Curatorial focus for Women to Watch 2027

Exploring the boundaries of what constitutes a book highlighting tactile, sculptural, and conceptual qualities

Arist Selection Criteria

  • Innovative use of materials

  • Intentional disruption of reading conventions

  • Engagement with political, poetic, or personal content

  • Portfolio that includes 3-4 Artists’ Books

Artists’ Books may be in the following formats:

  • Traditional Codex Form: Books that retain the familiar bound structure but use experimental content

  • Experimental Book Form: Books that experiment with or alter traditional book structure

  • Sculptural Bookworks: Three-dimensional works that challenge readability

  • Altered Books: Found books modified or reinterpreted as art

  • Conceptual or Narrative-Driven Books: Books focused on idea or narrative more than physical form

  • Installation or Participatory Books: Involve audience interaction or environmental context