Welcome to the 2nd Australian Artists' Books Forum

This event is an initiative of Artspace Mackay that aims to stimulate critical dialogue about artists' books and the book arts in Australia, provide professional development opportunities for artists working in the field and generate broader awareness of the artform within our region and nationally.

I am delighted to see the return of a number of familiar faces who attended last year's inaugural conference and that so many people have come to Mackay to experience the program we have organised.

The Australian Artists' Books Forum is the centrepiece of the FOCUS ON ARTISTS' BOOKS program that this year includes 4 Masterclasses, 2 exhibitions, artists' talks and a number of satellite events and activities with organisations such as the Silent Parrot Press and the Gargett Gallery of Fine Art.

The event this year has been very well received and we have 130 people here today from all over the country including artists, curators, writers, librarians, scholars and students.

In 2005 we will be launching the first Australian prize for artists' books, an acquisitive award the winner of which will go into the Artspace Mackay artists' book collection.

Before we commence proceedings I would also like to thank a few people:

- Jennifer Emmett who has put a lot of work into making this event run seamlessly;

- Tracey Heatwhood, Education officer who has been running 4 Masterclasses concurrently;

- Nick Williams, Exhibitions Officer for making all of the exhibitions look great;

- the rest of the team at Artspace Mackay including Nicole, Pam, Leon and Luke;

- Cathy Knezevic who has come into help with presenting the collection to delegates;

- the volunteers who are here today to help and learn.

Aklso thanks should go to:

- Dianne Fogwell and the Edition + Artist Book Studio at the Australian National University School of Art

- Adele Outteridge and unofficial artist-in-residence Wim de Vos;

- Masterclass tutors Dianne Fogwell, Martin king, Adele Outteridge and Katherine Nix;

- All of the speakers here today including sasha Grishin and Madonna Staunton who will be speaking at the exhibition opening tonight.

This event has been made possible by the Quick Response Grant Program of the Regional Arts Fund who have assisted with speakers travel and accommodation.

Thanks also to Grinders Catering and Foodspace cafe for providing an excellent conference dinner last night.

Please enjoy the day...