The Gibson's Publisher-in-Residence program was established to emphasize the important role that small art presses play in creative communities. While many museums and public institutions employ artists- or writers-in-residence, few recognize the unique hybrid role of small arts press publishers, who often operate simultaneously as curators, designers, artists, and editors. Our aim is to connect readers with vital, artist-led, international art presses that might otherwise be difficult to encounter. Publishers-in-residence are selected twice annually by the Gibson’s curatorial team for the alignment of their publishing focus with themes emerging from our exhibition programme.
Founded in 2019 by Laura Moseley, a craft scholar and curator based in Cambridge, UK, Common Threads Press is a small, independent publisher of books and zines that uplift histories of creative work. Common Threads Press publications are written and developed in close collaboration with academics and artists alike, from all around the world, who share a deep love and critical interest in craft histories. Common Threads Press is inspired by and indebted to the rich history of independent, grassroots publishing that centres voices from the margins—spotlighting the political and cultural relevance of crafts that has long been overlooked or dismissed in mainstream publishing.
Public programming related to the Publisher-in-Residence program, which will begin in Spring 2026, is organized in partnership with SFU Publishing.
