Open•Set Overview
Open•Set Triennial Competition & Exhibition
The Open•Set Triennial Competition and Exhibition is recognized internationally for showcasing and celebrating the art of finely crafted design bookbinding through two submission categories. Artists can submit a binding with a text block of their choosing in the Open category. In the Set Category, we provide a single text block for artists to interpret. Open•Set is a program of the American Academy of Bookbinding (AAB) in Telluride, Colorado founded by Daniel Tucker, Tini Miura and Einen Miura in 1993. AAB is a flagship program of Ah Haa School for the Arts.
Open•Set was inaugurated in 2015 under the curatorial guidance and vision of AAB instructor and Fine Binding graduate Lang Ingalls, with a traveling exhibition of juried books held in 2017, 2020 and 2025. Exhibition partners have included Seattle Public Library, San Francisco Center for the Book, the American Bookbinders Museum, The Groiler Club, North Bennett Street School, University of Utah, Denver Public Library, University of Iowa and University of Denver. The next Open•Set is scheduled for exhibition in 2028.
FOUNDER
LANG INGALLS began studying fine bookbinding years ago, taking private instruction with Eleanore Ramsey (San Francisco). Deep interest drove her to seek further instruction at Centro del bel Libro (Ascona), where she studied with Edwin Heim. While there, Lang met Cathy Adelman, a graduate of AAB, who suggested the Academy; Lang enrolled.
Lang graduated from the American Academy of Bookbinding in 2007 with a degree in Fine Binding. She studied under both Tini Miura and Monique Lallier. She has also studied with many other teachers at AAB — notably Don Glaister, Hélène Jolis, Gabrielle Fox, and Don Etherington — to further hone her skills. More recently, Lang has explored new structures and approaches to design and techniques through her studies with Ana Ruiz Larrea in Paris. She presently works out of her atelier in Boulder, Colorado, making fine bindings year-round and assists Monique Lallier and Peter Geraty as needed in their classes at AAB.
Lang is a Trustee for the Ah Haa School of the Arts and serves on the board of the Guild of BookWorkers. She founded the OPEN•SET Competition and Exhibition in 2018 as a way to create more awareness, recognition and participation in the field of Fine Binding.
Lang is a member of several international binding groups (ARA Canada, ARA France, ARA Belgique, Society of Bookbinders, Designer Bookbinders, Miniature Book Society) and celebrates with the members of these groups the stimulating and textural aspects of creating a fine binding — Her work shows in the states and abroad, and is found in public and private collections.
Click here to visit Lang’s website.
Open•Set Advisory Board
The Open•Set Advisory Board plays a critical role assisting the American Academy of Bookbinding staff setting values, goals and priorities for the triennial competition and exhibition, as well as identifying opportunities to broaden the awareness, impact and support of Open•Set. The Advisory Board represents broad knowledge, leadership and experience in bookbinding and book arts. Board terms are 4 years with the possibility of renewal and meets 3-4 times a year via zoom.
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