Second Annual Bible Craftsmanship Conference
Join us for the second annual Bible Craftsmanship Conference on August 26 at Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. Designers, publishers, printers, booksellers, influencers, and readers will gather together to share their love of thoughtfully made Bibles. Presentations will include briefings on typography and design, case studies, and discussions about what makes for excellent Bible craftsmanship. This event is also a great opportunity to meet people creating and influencing the development of new editions.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to see the Society’s picks for the best examples of global Bible craftsmanship over the past two decades in an exhibition titled, 20 Years of Excellence: A Global Exhibition of Bible Craftsmanship. The awards will be announced in a series of categories—and attendees will also have a chance to weigh in with their opinions.
An outpouring of craft and creativity has made the recent history of Bible design and publishing one of the most exciting times ever. The mission of the Society of Bible Craftsmanship is to celebrate that advance, and to help it grow!
Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 26, 2023
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
Museum of the Bible, Gathering Room, Floor 6
In-person: General Admission $39.99
In-person: Museum Member or Student $29.99
In-person: Society of Bible Craftsmanship Member Free
Virtual: General Admission $29.99
Virtual: Museum Member or Student $14.99
Virtual: Society of Bible Craftsmanship Member Free
In Person Event
Virtual Event
Register today for the event on August 26.
Schedule
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration
10:00–10:10 a.m.
Welcome by Amy Van Dyke, Lead Curator of Art and Exhibitions
10:10–10:30 a.m.
Introduction: “How Past Bibles Inspire Future Bibles” with Klaus E. Krogh, 2K/Denmark and President of the Society of Bible Craftsmanship
This talk highlights select design features and qualities from the Bibles nominated for the first SoBC awards and shows how these designs have been inspired by the legacy of the past 500 years of Bible Craftsmanship. It is then argued that the strategy of re-rediscovery, borrowing, remixing, re-inventing, and re-applying ideas could serve as a method for creating great Bibles for the future.
10:30–11:15 a.m.
Keynote: "The Bible as a Treasure" with Josh Dennis, CEO and President of Crossway Bibles
Josh Dennis, CEO and president of Crossway, invites us into the world of Bible publishing, underscoring the importance of craftsmanship and emphasizing the importance of rightly handling the Word of God and treating the Bible as a sacred treasure.
Since 2001, Crossway has been entrusted with the publication of the ESV Bible and is committed to excellence in the design, production, manufacturing, and publication of God’s Word. Every aspect of a Bible's publication must be thoughtfully considered—from the selection of materials to the precision, creativity, and innovation required in the design and typesetting phases. Going through a meticulous process allows for a beautiful reading experience and a deep connection with the truth of God's Word. Drawing from 20 years of experience in publishing and a background in design and production, Josh will share insights and reflections on the importance of Bible craftsmanship, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail required to produce high-quality Bible editions.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
"Expectations of Future Bibles: Results of a Survey Among Bible Buyers" with Klaus E. Krogh, 2K/Denmark and President of Society of Bible Craftsmanship
This talk will present the results from a large-scale survey among potential Bible buyers in a large American congregation. In the survey, we asked questions about preferences regarding the translation, the price point, the size, cover material, interior design, type size, etc., and the results give great insights into how Bible users at different ages prioritize the various—sometimes conflicting—wishes for the design of their next Bible.
"700 Years of Bibles: A Journey of Craftsmanship—A Tour of the History of the Bible" with Museum Curator Amy Van Dyke
Join Museum of the Bible Curator Amy Van Dyke for a comprehensive look at Bible design, from ancient manuscripts to modern digital Bibles. We’ll look at illuminated manuscripts and leather-bound Bibles, learning more about the Museum Collections and discovering a long and rich tradition that we are still part of today.
“Bookbinding from Birth to the 21st Century” with Conservator Francisco Rodriguez
Join Conservator Francisco Rodriguez as we study the origins of book binding, how different styles evolved through the introduction of different methodologies and materials, and the importance of how today’s practices preserve books for future generations.
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
1:15–2:00 p.m.
“The Game Changer: Bibliotheca” with Tim Wildsmith, Bible Review Blog, and Adam Lewis Greene, Creator of Bibliotheca
The success of Adam Lewis Greene’s Bibliotheca project on Kickstarter caught the attention of the publishing world—and overturned the traditional wisdom about multivolume, reader-friendly editions of the Bible. In this session, Bible Review Blog’s Tim Wildsmith sits down with Adam for a fascinating, in-depth conversation about Bibliotheca, from start to finish.
2:00–2:45 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
"Expectations of Future Bibles: Results of a Survey Among Bible Buyers" with Klaus E. Krogh, 2K/Denmark and President of the Society of Bible Craftsmanship
This talk will present the results from a large-scale survey among potential Bible buyers in a large American congregation. In the survey, we asked questions about preferences regarding the translation, price point, size, cover material, interior design, type size, etc., and the results give great insights into how Bible users at different ages prioritize the various—sometimes conflicting—wishes for the design of their next Bible.
"700 Years of Bibles: A Journey of Craftsmanship—A Tour of the History of the Bible" with Museum Curator Amy Van Dyke
Join Museum of the Bible Curator Amy Van Dyke for a comprehensive look at Bible design, from ancient manuscripts to modern digital Bibles. We’ll look at illuminated manuscripts and leather-bound Bibles, learning more about the Museum Collections and discovering a long and rich tradition that we are still part of today.
“Bookbinding from Birth to the 21st Century” with Conservator Francisco Rodriguez
Join Conservator Francisco Rodriguez as we study the origins of book binding, how different styles evolved through the introduction of different methodologies and materials, and the importance of how today’s practices preserve books for future generations.
2:45–3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00–3:45 p.m.
"Adorning the Word of God" with Ruth Chou Simons
Join best-selling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons for a conversation about the biblical context for the use of art to adorn scripture, why artistry matters, and how it enhances the experience of engaging with the Bible.
3:45–4:45 p.m.
“The Best Bibles of the Last 20 Years” with J. Mark Bertrand, Lectio Blog and Chairman of the Society’s Awards Committee, and Museum Curator Amy Van Dyke
We are living in a golden age of Bible craftsmanship. As excited as we are for the future, it’s important to honor the landmark work that has brought us this far. As chairman of the Society’s award committee, J. Mark Bertrand will introduce our exhibition, 20 Years of Excellence: A Global Exhibition of Bible Craftsmanship, and reveal the Society's top picks from among the many exemplary contenders.
4:45–5:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Available All Day
20 Years of Excellence: A Global Exhibition of Bible Craftsmanship
Register today for the event on August 26.
Speakers
J. Mark Bertrand
J. Mark Bertrand is a novelist and pastor whose writing on Bible design has helped spark a publishing revolution. Mark is the author of Rethinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World (Crossway, 2007), as well as the novels Back on Murder, Pattern of Wounds, and Nothing to Hide—described as a “series worth getting attached to” (Christianity Today) by “a major crime fiction talent” (Weekly Standard) in the vein of Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Henning Mankell.
Mark has a BA in English literature from Union University, an MFA in creative writing from the University of Houston, and an MDiv from Heidelberg Theological Seminary. Through his influential Bible Design Blog, Mark has championed a new generation of readable Bibles. His work was featured in the November 2021 issue of FaithLife’s Bible Study Magazine. Since 2017, Mark has been an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and his wife, Laurie, life in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Josh Dennis
Josh Dennis serves as CEO and president of Crossway. He has an extensive background in Bible publishing with more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of design, marketing, and software development. Josh is currently enrolled at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he is working on his master of arts in theological studies. He enjoys being active outside and spending time with his wife and three teenage boys. He and his family reside in Wheaton, Illinois.
Adam Lewis Greene
Adam Lewis Greene is a graphic artist, type designer, and emerging publisher who strongly believes that design has a profound impact on how we perceive and interact with objects.
Adam is the founder of Writ Press and is best known as the creator of Bibliotheca, a groundbreaking edition of the Bible that garnered global attention through its viral 2014 crowdfunding campaign. Through Bibliotheca, Greene sought to challenge prevalent perceptions of the Bible by breaking away from its pervasively dense and intimidating format, instead evoking the simplicity of ancient manuscripts to curate a distinctly refined experience that would invite readers into a fresh encounter with the Bible—not as a tightly packed compendium, but as a vast and diverse library.
Adam's work has been featured in The Verge, The Washington Post, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, HuffPost, and Christianity Today, among others. He has also had the privilege of presenting at BookExpo America in New York City, TYPO Conference in San Francisco, and various universities throughout the United States. Adam and his family currently reside in Durham, North Carolina.
Klaus Krogh
Klaus E. Krogh is the founder and CEO of 2K/DENMARK (established 1987), an award-winning type foundry, design, and typesetting company, and concept developer of Bibles worldwide. Klaus was previously employed at the Bible Society of Norway as graphic designer/production manager from 1983–1987, and he was the National Chairman of the Society of Book Craftsmanship, in Denmark, from 1998–2005. Klaus has been the CEO of the publishing house Morgenstjerne ApS since 2018, and Honorary Consul of Mexico in Denmark since 2010.
Ruth Chou Simons
Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease. She is an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through social media, her online shop at GraceLaced.com, and the GraceLaced Collective community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.
Tim Wildsmith
Tim Wildsmith is a pastor, writer, and musician best known as the creator of Bible Review Blog, a multi-platform online community he created to help people find a Bible that’s right for them. His Bible-related content has been viewed millions of times by people around the globe from a wide array of Christian traditions and denominations.
Tim has an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary and held a post-graduate fellowship as a visiting scholar at the University of Oxford’s Wycliffe Hall. He currently works as the director of faith formation and engagement at Belmont University, the largest ecumenical Christian college in the United States. He oversees faith development and discipleship programs and teaches a class called “Understanding the Bible” for the College of Theology and Christian Ministry.