Some are splendid little d'apres nature productions with leafy handmade papers and unique bindings, some with pages blank, others with commentary or images, all hand-signed by the artist. This kind of handmade book, however, is just one example of the unique and powerful statements made by book artists throughout history.

For those intrigued by the art of book design and who would like to produce a "bookwork" of their own conception, the UB Department of Art will offer a new course this summer, "Book Design" (Art 341X). It will introduce students to the book format as a means of expanding their image-making ideas and as a device to house and display a variety of other kinds of work.

The course will be taught by noted book artist Lynn McElhaney, UB adjunct professor of art and associate professor of art at Buffalo State College.

It will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15-Aug. 2 in 146 Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus.

McElhaney will introduce traditional and non-traditional book structures and containers and will demonstrate adhesive and non-adhesive formats. Topics covered will include structure development as a physical and visual entity, image manipulation, and page transition, connection and flow.

Students will explore these options and create a bookwork of their own by pursuing their individual concerns. Some printmaking facilities will be available to students with prior print experience.

For further information, call the UB Department of Art at 645-6878. To register, call UB Summer Sessions at 829-2202.