Best Public Art Books of 2026

The Antiquarian Sticker Book is a must-have for sticker lovers of all ages. This lush sticker book contains over 1,000 exquisite Victorian stickers that can be used for crafting, scrapbooking, decorating, or just admiring. The book offers a treasure trove of authentic historical prints from the ornate Victorian era to the early twentieth century that can be used to create amazing collages or decorate stationery and wrapping. The book is an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group dedicated to creating joyful books for curious minds. Overall, this is a unique book that offers a beautiful collection of sticker ephemera that is sure to delight anyone who loves stickers.

The Art and Making of the Series is a must-have for all Star Trek fans. This book is an in-depth exploration of Star Trek: Picard, a three-season spin-off of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The book explores the story of Picard in later years, as he faces old enemies such as the Borg, takes command of a new starship, and ultimately reconciles with his past. The book features interviews with showrunners, writers, cast, and crew, discussing concepts and character arcs, and explores makeup, costumes, art, and visual effects. This beautifully illustrated hardback, featuring behind-the-scenes and on-set photography, and a range of production art, is an in-depth exploration of a hugely popular and seminal Star Trek character.

The People of Walmart Adult Coloring Book: Rolling Back Dignity is a hilarious gag gift that will have you laughing out loud. With 37 original and intricate artwork pages featuring some of the craziest people of Walmart, this book is perfect for those who love to color and have a good sense of humor. The single-sided pages at 8.5 x 11 make it easy to display your masterpieces. It's a great conversation starter and the perfect anti-stress therapy. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking for a good laugh and a fun way to de-stress.

Cabinet of Curiosities: Over 1,000 Curated Stickers from the Fascinating Collections of the Smithsonian is a sticker book that showcases over 1,000 stunning selections from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. The book features a curated selection of stickers of varying sizes, which range from Victorian anatomy illustrations to spacecraft and airplanes, making it perfect for mindfulness and creative relaxation. This book is a must-have for scrapbooking enthusiasts and sticker collectors who appreciate the beautiful and the unique.

The Rock Art Handbook by Samantha Sarles is an excellent resource for anyone interested in rock painting. With over 30 step-by-step tutorials, the book covers various craft techniques for decorating rocks such as dot painting, marbling, and embellishments. The author shares her favorite tips and techniques for transforming rocks into works of art using craft supplies like nail polish, puff paint, and gel pens. The book is perfect for parents and kids to do together and is a great way to create "kindness rocks." Overall, the Rock Art Handbook is an inspiring and comprehensive resource for rock art enthusiasts.

The Tattoo Lettering Book is a comprehensive guide for tattoo artists and enthusiasts looking for inspiration and practice in tattoo lettering. The book contains 25 tattoo-inspired typefaces, including black letter, vintage, elegant, and gothic, among others. Each alphabet showcases uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters, accompanied by phrases with flourishes, ornaments, and filigree designs. The book is a perfect gift for anyone who loves tattoos and wants to take their lettering designs to the next level. Overall, the book is an excellent resource for tattoo artists and a unique addition to any calligraphy guide collection.

Art Hiding in New York: An Illustrated Guide to the City's Secret Masterpieces is a beautifully illustrated book that explores the hidden artistic masterpieces of New York City. Lori Zimmer, a curator and urban explorer, takes readers on a journey to discover 100 treasures of art scattered throughout the city. Accompanied by watercolor depictions of the works by artist Maria Krasinski, each entry includes location information for those who want to see for themselves. This book is a must-read for art lovers and adventurers who want to discover the hidden gems of New York City.

Art Hiding in Paris: An Illustrated Guide to the Secret Masterpieces of the City of Light is a delightful exploration of Parisian art and artists. From hidden masterpieces in cafes and shops to iconic works of public art, author Lori Zimmer and illustrator Maria Krasinski have curated over 100 treasures in this whimsically illustrated celebration. The book provides curated itineraries for dreaming up your next urban exploration and is perfect for any art lover's shelf. Zimmer's passion for travel, food, and artists' rights shines through in her writing, making this book not only informative but also enjoyable to read.

The Alien Film Franchise Encyclopedia is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the world of Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien: Resurrection, Prometheus, and Alien: Covenant. The book is structured in three traditional encyclopedic volumes, covering Xenobiology, terraforming, synthetics, humans, corporations, military, judiciary, culture, science, spacecraft, hardware, and weapons from an in-world perspective. Illustrated throughout with concept art, photography, and illustrations, the book also includes a historical timeline and alphabetical index. Joe Fordham's expertise in special effects, makeup effects, miniature effects, animation, and editing makes this book unique. Overall, this is a must-have for any Alien fan and a great addition to any public art book collection.

Arte del Pueblo is an engaging book that showcases the outdoor public art of San Antonio. Through stunning photography and insightful commentary, the book explores the city's cultural heritage and its major artistic influences. It covers a variety of artistic styles, from murals and sculptures to street art and digital art projections. The book also features interviews with 11 of the 190 artists featured, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the city's multicultural crossroad. With suggested self-tours, readers can appreciate their favorite pieces in person. Overall, Arte del Pueblo is a must-read for anyone interested in public art and the rich history of San Antonio.