Book structure and form are the focus and heart of my work. Throughout my studies and continued research I have gained a great deal of insight into the mechanics of books and into why, for example, some books last for hundreds of years while others deteriorate comparatively quickly.  To me, a truly elegant book is a book that is more than aesthetically pleasing to the eye: it must function well by opening easily and facilitating a reader’s interaction with its pages.  Achieving a synergy of excellence in the physical content, structure, and materials is foremost in my mind when I design a single book or an edition.  All the components of the book must compliment each other, so that the finished book as a whole is indeed ‘more than the sum of its parts’.

Professor Embree has been teaching bookbinding for the M.F.A. in Book Arts Program since August 2003. She received a Masters degree in Textiles and Clothing from Iowa State University in 1997, and a Graduate Certificate in Book Arts and Technologies from the University of Iowa in 2000. In addition to these degree programs, Professor Embree completed a 4-year apprenticeship in Bookbinding and Rare Book Conservation at the University of Iowa Libraries.

Professor Embree has conducted research and creative work are in the areas of edition binding, fine binding, design binding and conservation. She has col­lab­o­rated with print­ers and paper­mak­ers on lim­ited edi­tion hand­made books, and has exhib­ited her work widely. Her publications include two articles for the Journal of the American Institute for Conservation: : Embree, A. & Thompson, A. (2007).Physical Properties of Decorative Japanese Book Cloths. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 46(1), 53-65; Thompson, A. & Embree, A. (2007). Colorfastness of Decorative Japanese Bookcloths. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 46(1), 67-73. Additionally, professor Embree has worked on international conservation initiatives in Havana, Cuba and Arequipa, Peru.