A 4th grade Citation Needed author reads the collaborative publication “State Taste,” at the 2024 Citation Needed Book Launch. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
Citation Needed is an intergenerational publishing initiative, supporting the development and production artist books created by children. The project is lead by Ari Wolff, in collaboration with Printed Matter / Saint Marks. This modular workshop series provides project-based arts experiences for children while amplifying their voices through printed matter and book arts.
“A Scribble in my Brain,” “mixed emotions,” and “Spooky” on display at the 2024 Citation Needed Book Launch. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
A community member reads “Small but Necessary,” a process-statement by Ari Wolff. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
Life Advice from a 4th Grader sign-up from the 2024 Book Launch. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
“The Newsletter,” printed by Vee Tineo for the 2023 Citation Needed edition. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
3rd Grade photographer at the 2024 Book Launch. Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
Photo by Oswaldo Garcia.
Citation Needed’s workshops cover a range of techniques, including printmaking, xerography, book arts, drawing, writing, and comics. Drawing inspiration from concrete poetics, Reggio Emilia pedagogy, and socially engaged art education, Citation Needed fosters spontaneous and process-based creativity, encouraging participants to explore their ideas, challenge conventional notions of “error,” and continually reimagine their work.
The First Edition of Citation Needed books were on view at Printed Matter / Saint Marks in June of 2023 and included 14 unique publications. The Second Edition of 13 unique publications appeared at the East Village Zine Fair and are currently available for purchase at Printed Matter / Saint Marks. In Fall 2024, we began working with intergenerational groups to create collaborate publications at the Corona Public Library and Press Play, hosted by Pioneer Works.
All books can be found in the Artist Books archive at the Center for Book Arts, as the first works by children to be included. You can learn more about our pedagogy and process here. Feel free to write us at citationneededpress@gmail.com!