Catskills Builders by Ty Tamburo is a book project, exhibition, and community tool library centered around self-builders in the Catskills. The project documents (through photographs, interviews and drawings) the culture of self-building in the Catskills and how it fits into the ecological and economic realities of the region. For one month, June 20–July 27, Bushel Collective will be transformed into a temporary tool library and learning space intended to make building feel more approachable and collaborative. In a region where affordable housing is increasingly out of reach and many homes require ongoing maintenance, Catskills Builders asks how various forms of mutual aid might help people take building into their own hands. 

The book launch party is June 20th from 5-8pm.

Catskills Builders Vol. 1 by Ty Tamburo began as a zine and expanded into a 98-page book over the course of the project. The publication includes interviews with self-builders and a local code enforcer, alongside photographs and drawings of homes, workshops, and building practices from across Delaware County. Catskills Builders is a limited edition run of 250 books printed locally in Kingston, NY.

The book will be available for $40 during the pre-order period and at the June 20th launch party. After June 20th, the price will increase to $45. The full publication will also be made freely available online following the launch.