CODEX X : February 7-10, 2026  The Oakland Marriott

The International Biennial CODEX Book Art Fair & Symposium focuses on serving practitioners, scholars, curators, collectors, students, and book arts enthusiasts by bringing together the international community to share their work and to educate the public about the rich and diverse artwork being made across the globe today.

As a non-profit organization, we aim to participate throughout the year in the overall ecology of the field. However, our biennial book art fair & symposium focuses on a vibrant slice of the rich activity taking place within the greater world of book arts.

Fair exhibitors are limited to those working in the field of limited-edition fine press books and artists’ books, where craft and concept unite into an exemplified work of art. We also invite those working in the associated crafts, such as bookbinders/box makers, calligraphers/lettering artists, papermakers/paper decorators, type foundries/type casters, toolmakers, and suppliers, to join our event. Our interpretation of craft is broad, and it encompasses historic tools and techniques, as well as new practices that build on these traditions. Exhibitors include a variety of academic institutions representing student work and public organizations and book arts centers working to preserve and promote the field.

Our focus is on work that unites craft and concept and engages all aspects of the book as a conceptual whole. We do not focus on general art book monographs or general photo books, although artists’ books and fine press books that include photographic processes are welcome. As an organization, we aim to preserve and promote craft traditions. However, we equally acknowledge that the end result of craft is not always ‘fine.’ There can be power and poetry behind a ‘roughly’ crafted work whose intention is clearly engaged with the material and the message being conveyed.

Although we do not prioritize zines, sculptural bookwork, or one-of-a-kind books, you will find some of this work at our exhibitors’ tables. We include a wider range of work if it helps to add diversity and gives voice to marginalized individuals in the field. We want to envision the broader future of the book as art together. We are particularly interested in supporting international artists, printers, and publishers in attending as exhibitors. 

Our book art fair is unique amongst art fairs as the exhibitors are largely made up of the actual artists, printers, and craftspeople doing the work. Our fair does include a small number of organizations or galleries representing book artists. They do the important work of bringing new artwork to the venue, and they also represent individuals who may not be able to afford to attend the event on their own.

Both the fair and the symposium are open to the public to attend.

If you want to be an exhibitor, please join our newsletter to receive more information.