For almost a decade, Mary Eubank and Zea Morvitz have been co-directors of Sometimes Books, an informal gallery specializing in artist books that’s tucked off Highway 1 in Point Reyes Station. Here, books are reinterpreted as unique works of art that challenge the conventional shelf life of a paperback or hardcover. “These are not books made from just paper and cardboard,” Ms. Eubank said. “This is a bridge between actual books and art that more freely interprets the book’s idea.” The two have been West Marin residents since the 1970s, and each has had a lifelong affinity for artist books. (Ms. Morvitz fondly recalls visiting The Cloisters museum in upper Manhattan as a child and pressing her nose against the glass to admire the enclosed art pieces, “the primer being ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” she said.) Ms. Eubank and Ms. Morvitz, along with 23 others, founded Gallery Route One, just around the corner, in 1983. But Ms. Morvitz said they wanted more space, and she suggested they open up the top floor of Ms. Eubank’s personal art studio to serve as a gallery. Now, Sometimes Books shows new exhibits each season, revolving around various themes. At the end of each run, artists speak about their work and read from the books. The newest exhibit, “Art of the Found,” opens this Sunday, Oct. 2 and runs through Dec. 4. Twenty Bay Area artists contributed about 30 pieces for the show, ranging from colorful, hand-drawn books to mounted installations of stacked books. Louise Pryor’s piece “Butterfly Reads Butterfly” is comprised of used clothes that have been morphed into dolls. The gallery, located one door down from the Point Reyes Jeweler, is open on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment. (“As the title suggests, sometimes we’re open and sometimes we’re not,” Ms. Eubank said.)
Books, interpreted: Point Reyes gallery celebrates artist books
