We at Shoutout Magazine here in Denver, had the good fortune of connecting with Rhiannon Alpers for an interview and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rhiannon, what do you attribute your success to?
Thanks for the great questions. Here’s my take on it…
Success, for me, comes down to hustle and persistence. A colleague once joked, ‘I see you got the hustle in your genes,’ and it stuck—because it’s true. Every day, I show up, coffee in hand, ready to put in the work. Being a book artist, letterpress printer, and papermaker means embracing an obscure, process-heavy field, where the tools and techniques are centuries old. But it’s that passion for process, that love of materials, and that relentless drive to keep building, teaching, and creating that turns two and two into five.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is the small and specialized field I work in—creating handmade books in limited editions. I am one of the few artists with both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in book arts, and my practice spans the entire process: making paper, printing with a mix of digital technology and antique machines from the early 1900s, and binding each book by hand.
My work is collected by university special collections and private collectors across the country, and I regularly travel to teach workshops and give artist lectures on my methods and concepts. Many of my recent artist books draw from the history and aesthetics of cabinets of curiosities, exploring the overlooked contributions of early women in science. Through first-hand experiences and reframed narratives, I highlight pioneering women naturalists and their fieldwork, weaving their stories alongside scientific documentation.
Artist books allow me to shape multidimensional narratives—where storytelling unfolds both sequentially and spatially. My books incorporate handmade paper, bookbinding, macro photography, laser cutting, digital and letterpress printing, and even physical specimens, all tied together by a strong conceptual framework.
Getting to this point in my career wasn’t easy. Book arts is a niche field, and success requires persistence, adaptation, and an ability to balance creative passion with practical sustainability. I’ve learned that showing up—again and again—makes all the difference. Every opportunity, whether big or small, has contributed to building my career, and I’m grateful for the people and institutions that have supported my work along the way.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take them on a mix of art and nature adventures across Denver and beyond.
We’d start with a stop at Meininger’s Art Supply on Broadway—because making is always part of the journey. With goodies in hand we’d be ready for a train ride or a walk to the sights of downtown…Then, we’d head to the Denver Botanic Gardens for a perfect blend of food, art exhibits, and botanical beauty, followed by an afternoon treat and drink at Chef Zorba’s.
A day trip to Garden of the Gods down in Colorado Springs is a must, with a hike among the breathtaking rock formations and a stroll through the nearby neighborhoods. For my art and letterpress-loving friends, we’d visit Ladyfingers Letterpress, where you can often catch someone printing in the shop.
Another day would include a visit to the Denver Art Museum, with time in their maker space, then an evening stop at Pint’s Pub for a whiskey and hearty English fare.
To wrap up the trip, we’d spend the last evening at the Santa Fe Arts District on a First Friday, taking in the vibrant nightlife, local artwork, and the incredible creative energy of Denver.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m grateful to the Art Students League of Denver and the San Francisco Center for the Book—two organizations that truly support and uplift their artists and instructors with respect, fairness, and a commitment to community. They have given me opportunities to exhibit my work and teach what I love in a supportive environment, and I’ve felt successful because of their trust and encouragement.
I also want to give a shoutout to my gallery representation, Vamp & Tramp Booksellers, who have helped place my work in major institutions across the U.S., including the Library of Congress. Their continual support and efforts have been invaluable in connecting my books with collectors and institutions.
Who are we at Shoutout Colorado?
Every day we ask our contributors and interviewees questions designed to spark meaningful conversations. We ask questions about life, work, love, parenting, finances, and more. Questions like how you think about risk-taking, work-life balance, or online dating. We ask entrepreneurs why they started their business and we ask artists what their work is inspired by.
We think meaningful conversations are at the heart of community building. We also think every voice matters and that these conversations shouldn’t be led by billionaires, media elites, or celebrities. We feel it’s far more relevant to hear from the folks who make up the fabric of our communities – small business owners, mom-and-pops, and independent artists and creatives.
Information about the artist:
Website: rhiannonalpers.com
Instagram: gazelle_n_goat
Image Credits
Vanishing Book photo credit to Luz Marina Ruiz
