Here's something we like to hear in conjunction with a local notable who gets national press: Growth Curve. That's what the Wall Street Journal has to say about the trajectory of typeface designer Richard Kegler's career and the ultimate popularity of his work.
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Kegler, co-founder of P22 Type Foundry and director of Western New York Book Arts Center at 468 Washington (at Mohawk), formed his P22 company in 1994, and he's been doing notable and noble things around and for Buffalo ever since. As if his artistry in design weren't gift enough to the region and the world, Kegler has found other ways to share his knowledge and skills.
Take for instance the Book Arts Center. Kegler revived antique typesetting and letterpress machines, forming the WNY Book Arts Collaborative that offers membership, but provides classes for everyone. It's no small feat to get this antiquated art form into the hands of many.
One recent trip into the former Slotkin Building where WNYBAC lives became a trip into the past, with sights and smells that came from memory, but spoke to an artful attitude that is very much of the present in Buffalo. As cutting edge as Kegler is, his designs come from his study of a rich visual history - which he references often in the name of past artists. Here at WNYBAC, the profound appeal of making new art with antique equipment is exciting, and the product is as unique as it is timeless.
There are some summer workshops people can still join, less expensive with a membership, that are sure to interest everyone. WNYBAC stocks lovely blocks, the best papers and every ink you'll need to get started on making books, stationary, prints, posters and more. At $25 for a student membership and $40 for an adult, you can have your investment back in the form of your own, handmade personalized stationary in no time. There's a bookbinding class scheduled for this Thursday evening, and as with any class you take at the center, once you've learned the technique, it's yours for life.
Lastly, speaking of curves, Kegler has found another way to give back to humanity; he has put his last crazy, curvy moustache up for sale on eBay to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation of WNY. With this, we can say that Kegler is truly a man who gives of himself.
Check out this upcoming show at WNYBAC.
Top image of Kegler: Shasti O'Leary-Soudant of SOSDesign
It's always good when the WSJ recognizes us for our great talent instead of our bad economy.