"Open Books and Other Stories" is for the most part a stubborn, hardheaded, singular response to the online electronic flood of random information we swim in on a daily basis. I have curated a view of South Florida, national parks, students, teachers… and my personal heroes, writers. Each of these entities has enriched my life, telling stories that tie each of these images together and to me...Although born and raised in Michigan, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printing and painting at Florida Atlantic University, and a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking at the University of Miami. I bring Miami to artists' residencies each summer, and my hosts' best practices home to Coconut Grove to share with my students, friends and the community. —Tom Virgin