Walt Whitman’s Words: Inspiring Artists Today

2019 is the 200th birthday year of Walt Whitman (1819-1892), who is known today as one of the most influential poets of the nineteenth century. In addition to his work as a poet, Whitman is also remembered as a book designer and printer, essayist and journalist. Calling himself “the Bard of Democracy”, Whitman broke the mold in his prolific writings calling for equality, inclusivity and a more humanist world for all to live in.

The Center for Book Arts is marking this bi-centennial by looking at how Whitman’s writings have influenced contemporary artists working in the book arts. Walt Whitman’s Words: Inspiring Artists Today follows several themes Whitman focused on in his writings, providing the connective tissue that links these works together.