Fabio meets (& side-squeezes!) Bookagami-creator Adrienne Biggs

Charming hamlet
Quaint little town
Birthplace of… Parking Wars?

San Anselmo’s ill-received new parking ordinance is wreaking havoc on local businesses and making seniors cry. But, there’s hope – check out the headlines below for all kinds of media attention, and some sensible words from San Anselmo Councilmember, Yoav Schlesinger.

Speaking of our beloved elders, Aegis Living just cut the ribbon on its brand-new San Rafael community last weekend—with special guest stars Joan Lunden (smart, lovable, forever-Good Morning America), and romance-novel cover legend & Italian dreamboat, Fabio!—looking rather dapper in his sixties.

But the true plot twist of the day belonged to 30-year Marin resident and Bookagami artist, Adrienne Biggs. By morning, she was a humble creator, demo’ing her book-folding art for me at a Creek Park picnic table in San Anselmo, and offering friendly smiles to passersby.

Later that same day, she was caught in the tempestuous orbit of Fabio: his mane of golden locks rippled like a stallion’s in full gallop, his Mediterranean sea-blue shirt (what little of it there was) clung heroically to his sculpted chest, and his eyes smoldered with the fire of a thousand unspeakable desires. Their encounter was brief—yet hotter than a heaving bosom pressed against red velvety drapes.

Read on for the full, raw saga of passion & book page folds,

Kim Neumann

San Anselmo Parking Wars:

“I have never, ever seen anything like it,” the world’s most famous book cover model Fabio said to local artist Adrienne Biggs of her Bookagami’d romance novel featuring him on the cover.

Then he gave her a squeeze ((sigh)).

Exhibit A:

It’s certainly one of the most memorable and steamy books she has re-created with the altered book technique she learned a year and a half ago, which she has since coined “Bookagami”.

“I took a book-folding workshop in spring 2024 at Town Books in San Anselmo,” said Adrienne, “and I haven’t stopped since. I think I’ve folded around 700. I lost count after 200.”

What is that?

“What are you doing?”

She gets a lot of that.

Once, it was an older gentleman named David who stopped to ask while she “folded” in a San Rafael pub. He watched for a while, then said, “That is really interesting. What you’re doing is revolutionary. I study brain science,” and went on to explain how the brain is wired to search for sacred geometry. Folding books into art, he suggested, could actually help the brain fire new connections.

These “a-ha moments” are what neuroscientists say the human brain experiences the instant it translates 2-D objects (like books) into 3-D “art”.

Into the fold

“It’s just something I fell into,” admits the former book publishing professional and lifelong violinist. “If you’re bored or stressed, it’s a great way to center yourself,” she says, “like yoga or meditation.”

But unlike yoga and meditation, Bookagami goes great with happy hour at your local dive bar (or at least raises fewer eyebrows than, say Downward Dog).

“I’ve just installed a large exhibit of stacked totem Bookagami sculptures in the front window at the historic Marelli Bros. shoe repair on Fourth Street between C & D. The show runs 24/7 through October 31. Anyone can walk, roll or drive by their 100+ year old storefront day or night to see the Bookagami display. It looks really cool, especially illuminated at night.”

Want to see some of that magic in person? You can catch Adrienne during the monthly downtown San Rafael Art Walk on Friday, September 12, 5–8 p.m., where she’ll be demo’ing in front of Marelli Bros.

Learn how to make Bookagami...in a dive bar!

She’s also super excited to host her fifth public Bookagami Workshop at Pint Size Lounge in San Rafael (next to Johnny Doughnuts) Thursday 9/18 from 6-8pm. Thanks to Adam Violante, the longtime owner and an early Bookagami fan, a semi-permanent installation can be seen in the front window (and inside) the longtime establishment.

Adrienne suggests bringing friends (age 21+) and 2-3 books (thick hardcovers or paperbacks work best). It’s $25 cash or Venmo at the event, and space is limited to 15 participants. More info and to RSVP

With a First Place Blue Ribbon for her 2024 entry Atlas, 1963: You Are Here, and a Third Place for her Bug-a-Gami totem at the 2025 Marin County Fair, Adrienne has picked up her share of accolades. Still, she insists, “There’s no goal, you just keep folding and see where it takes you. It’s easy to fall into the fold. The magic is in the making.”

Why does she do all of this, in addition to a full-time demanding job and also playing violin in two popular local bands–including performances at San Rafael PorchFest Sunday, September 21 at 12:15 and 4pm?

“It’s liberating,” says Adrienne. “Not to be attached to any outcome. My goal with Bookagami is to find balance, foster community, and rescue books from landfill. It’s about transforming these common two-dimensional objects into three-dimensional works of art that people of all ages can enjoy, create, and share.”

And the word is getting out… hot off the digital and printing press is a feature about Adrienne and her Bookagami in this week’s Pacific Sun. You can also check out her Instagram @intothefoldbookagami. 📚

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Thursday 9/11

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Wednesday 9/17

PEEEAACH!!!🥹

Thanks for reading,
Kim

Kim Neumann, Publisher