I live out the philosophy that one can never have too many art books. Having acquired my art library from a variety of sources, I’ve also found that one doesn’t have to trek to The Strand for great selection, though. Closer to home, in New England, a couple other favorite vendors include Harvard Book Store in Cambridge and the Book Barn in Connecticut.
I’m sure there are many great art bookstores in your own backyard, and in my case that’s Providence, Rhode Island. In spite of the size of this relatively small city, I have several go-to spots where even the most discerning reader is certain to find choice used and new art tomes to add to their own ever-growing “to read” piles.
I frequently recommend the following spots to students, colleagues, and friends, and I hope you’ll explore these stores if you’re in the area, or support your own local booksellers when adding books to your art library.
Paper Nautilus Books
19 South Angell Street
Website: www.papernautilusbooks.com
Instagram: @papernautilusbooks
Paper Nautilus was founded in 1996 and is a staple of the Wayland Square neighborhood. They feature a selection of both new and used books in a range of subjects, but their art section is particularly excellent. Whenever I visit, I find a book I didn’t know I had to have from a vintage two volume biography of Michelangelo to Preziosi’s Oxford Critical Anthology of Art History. As a bonus, they also regularly host art exhibitions and have shared the work of many talented artists from the area.
Cellar Stories Bookstore
11 Mathewson Street
Website: www.cellarstories.com
Instagram: @cellarstories
In business for over 35 years, Cellar Stories bills itself as the largest used and rare bookstore in the nation’s smallest state. In spite of its name, the store is actually up, not down, a flight of stairs in a nondescript building downtown. When you stumble inside you’ll find rows of shelves packed from floor to ceiling in every conceivable subject. Their art section is set aside in its own room and is typically a good place to find larger format texts. I’ve found more than a few gems in this “cellar”.
Symposium Books
240 Westminster Street
Website: www.symposiumbooks.com
Instagram: @symposiumbooks
Symposium Books is another downtown fixture. A well-appointed shop that fills a graceful storefront in the heart of Westminster Street, Symposium always has a great selection of erudite art books. Focused on new volumes, Symposium is the perfect spot to find cerebral and sometimes unexpected books on a range of specialized topics, from conceptual art to American furniture. It’s also a great place to browse before grabbing a cocktail downtown.
If you can’t find something that suits your fancy at Paper Nautilus, Cellar Stories, or Symposium, you can always order from Books on the Square, another Wayland Square landmark that sources harder to find books and offers pickup within a few days usually. Their friendly staff are always extremely helpful. You can’t go wrong with any of the booksellers I’ve mentioned here. Stop in and you’ll be sure to find something for your own library’s art section.
Before you visit, be sure to check with all the above mentioned book dealers about their current hours and shopping policies, but remember to shop local when buying your art books this spring!