VT Book Arts Guild “MailB.A.G.” September 2009
Next Meeting:
Wednesday October 7, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Enter by side door: Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.
$5 voluntary contribution to Burlington City Arts for their education programs. (Remember, if you write a check, it can be evidence for a tax deductible contribution.)
Program: Junk Box Books with Meta Strick
The premise for this month’s activity is that anything can become a book. To prove it, we will use junk box contents to make “anything goes” books. What to bring? This is your chance to get rid of some junk. (Ideally the pieces should be no larger than about the size of your hand.) Bring any junk you want to throw into the junk box. The following list is incomplete and inconclusive: buttons, bells, beads; keys, coins and bottle caps; old jewelry, watches and clock parts; pins, needles and spoons; broken glass and pottery; mirrors; wire of all kinds and colors; toy parts; gadget parts; electronics parts; game pieces and parts; window screen and metal foil; brads, rings and washers; feathers, pressed leaves, ferns and flowers, twigs, bark, pebbles and stones; yarn, cord and string; ribbon, lace and fabric scraps; wood scraps; postage stamps, playing cards and ticket stubs; old cards, old calendars, old magazines, old books, old maps; crayons, candy wrappers and candles.
You can bring scissors, needle and thread, pliers, glues, and your personal preferences as to papers, marking and coloring materials, and embellishments.
In addition to my junk box, which is about three-quarters full at the moment, I will bring scissors, needle and thread, wire and pliers, glues, miscellaneous papers, some acrylic paints and brushes, and a drill.
If you are a perfectionist, don’t bring that trait. Junk box books are spontaneous, imprecise, foolish and fun.
Meta Strick is a mixed media/multiple media artist, who “makes a lot of stuff.” For over 25 years she has taught a variety of studio art classes at Community College of Vermont. Meta participates in several art and fine craft shows in New England and Ohio, where she sells mixed media art dolls and ornaments, and paintings and calligraphy. You can see a few dolls and paintings at her website, www.metastrick.com.
Special Collections at UVM to Host Book Arts Event
ARTISTS’ BOOKS: A DISCUSSION with MILDRED BELTRÉ & JANE KENT
Printmakers, book artists, and University of Vermont professors Mildred Beltré and Jane Kent will talk about their work and share their perspectives on creating artists’ books. Refreshments will be served.
Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Special Collections Reading Room, Bailey/Howe Library, University of Vermont. Parking is available at the visitor parking lot on College St.
For more information, call 656-2138 or Email uvmsc[at]uvm[dot]edu.
Book Arts Guild of Vermont Workshop
There is still time to sign up for this Saturday workshop: Four-Needle Book Binding Workshop with Amy Lapidow
Amy, of The Three Ring Binders in Somerville, MA, will present a four-needle bookbinding workshop. Participants will make 2 four-needle sewn historic structures: Japanese Butterfly Binding and four-needle Coptic book.
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Williston Federated Church, Fellowship Hall, Williston, VT
Meals: Bring your own bag lunch and drinks.
Cost: $65 ($55 Class Fee + $10 materials fee) Payment due in full with registration to reserve a spot!
Materials: Two kits (one for each binding) will be supplied by the instructor. Additional materials list will be supplied with registration confirmation.
For further information, please contact Jill Abilock at jabilock[at]japanlink-trans[dot]com or (802) 735-1443.
12 YEARS AT OTTER POND: A retrospective of the work of book artist Susan Bonthron 
Artist Reception: October 2nd during Gallery Walk, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Bonthron_small.JPG
Show Dates: October 2 -28, 2009
Location: Gallery 215, Latchis Hotel, Brattleboro, VT. Gallery 215 is located on the second floor of the Latchis Hotel and is wheelchair accessible by elevator.
For more information call Marilyn Buhlmann at (802) 257-0098 or Susan Bonthron at (802) 257-0003
A message from B.A.G. member Susan Bonthron:
Dear Book arts fans,
I am beginning to put together a fall book arts class schedule, and would like to know what you’re interested in:
- paste paper
- marbled paper
- tunnel books
- photo albums
- coptic journals
- 3-section hardbound journals
- 3 single-section books
- portfolios
- pop-ups
- or something completely different
Susan can be contacted via Email: susan.bonthron[at]gmail[dot]com
Reflection on the September meeting
Liz Kappel shared a collection of some of her books and amazed us all with her creative talent. She takes simple structures and transforms them with the use of beautiful materials and personal content. She taught us how to make two different structures that each come from a single sheet of paper. We folded and cut our papers then added cut outs for tunnels, sewn bindings and pockets. With time to play and explore everyone left with fun new ideas for creating our own art books.
Meta Strick wrote: “Liz’s presentation last night was great, and I was inspired.”
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
Upcoming Workshops
BAG member Elissa Campbell is teaching two classes at Studio Place Arts in Barre this October. To enroll, please call the SPA office at (802) 479-7069.
Peek-a-Boo Journal:
Date: Thursday October 1 & 8
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In this workshop, participants will create a journal with a double-needle coptic binding, an intricate stitch that will be visible on the spine of the book. Not only is the coptic binding beautiful, but it also allows books to remain flat when opened. The book covers will include a cut-out window, which offers many opportunities for personalization — photos, pressed flowers, theater tickets — if it’s flat, you can use it. Participants are encouraged to bring small photos, paper ephemera, and/or other flat items to both decorate the covers and include in the windows. Additional materials will be available for use during the class.
Each participant will leave class with a completed book and basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. Participants will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials used. Some bookbinding or sewing experience is helpful, but not required. Materials: Please contact SPA for a materials list. In addition, there is a $15 fee to the instructor at the first class. Members $55/Non-Members $65
Strappy Journal (ages 14 – 18):
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Journals are great for so many things – exploring our creative selves, recording dreams and feelings, documenting travels, or preserving details of our daily lives. Why not make a journal of your own, just the way you want it – it’s easy! In this workshop, we will use a binding that allows the book to remain flat when opened, making it perfect for use as a sketchbook or journal. Participants are encouraged to bring collage materials to decorate the covers of your book. Additional materials will be available for use during the class.
In this workshop, each participant will leave class with a completed book and a basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. No previous experience necessary. This workshop is grant-funded and free of charge.
Member news:
Carolyn Shattuck has some of her fine books in two venues this autumn: He Had No Words will be shown in a very exciting new venue for Book Arts called Central Booking in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn. The opening is September 17th at 111 Front Street, Gallery 214, Brooklyn, NY, (347) 731-6559. www.centralbookingnyc.com.
Book Arts Guild of VT chat room: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookArtsGuildVT
Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com
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