VT Book Arts Guild “MailB.A.G.” August 2015
Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Studio Support and Workshop Time
Studio Support and Workshop Time is two hours that you give yourself, in the company of fellow book- and paper-arts lovers, to learn, share and create in a supportive and encouraging environment.
The meeting will begin with some group time, both for sharing – something you’ve made, a great resource or tool you’ve found, a source of inspiration – and for asking questions or puzzling out challenges you may be having with a project or particular technique.
The remainder of the time will be devoted to creative work. Bring along a project or model from a previous meeting that you’d like to continue working on or develop further, or bring a project of your own to simply continue working on in the company of others.
Not sure of what to bring? No worries! Every Studio Support and Workshop Time session will have suggestions, resources or materials for a project. This session will offer the opportunity to continue exploring (or discover the pleasure of making) miniature books as presented by Jill Abilock in July. Jill will be on hand with samples and suggestions for miniaturizing a variety of book structures, and will also bring supplies (book board and paper) for anyone who would like to try their hand at creating a tiny accordion book.
You can also continue exploring the fun and fascinating possibilities: Folded Page Book Sculptures (as presented by Marilyn Gillis in January), of Exquisite Corpse Books (as presented by Rebecca Boardman in May), or rev up your creative juices and delight your friends by making collaged postcards (presented by Marcia Vogler in March). You can even combine techniques and collage a series of Exquisite Corpse images!
In addition to drawing paper, you might want to bring drawing tools (for Exquisite Corpse images) such as:
- Pens
- Pencils
- Colored pencils
- Markers, Sharpies, Gel pens, etc.
If you plan to collage or would like to make and decorate a mini accordion book, you might also want to bring:
- Glue stick
- X-Acto knife
- Scissors
- Cutting mat
- Bone folder
- Ruler
- Magazine, calendar, catalog and other collage materials you like to work with
- Paints, inks, and rubber stamps and anything else you enjoy using for decoration or embellishment
July Meeting Reflections
Our July meeting was full of little pleasures with the Miniature Book workshop lead by our own Jill Abilock. Jill has always loved small treasures and graciously shared her enthusiasm, tips and tricks for creating miniature books.
After marveling over examples of Jill’s small books we each created our own book measuring only 1.5 inches tall. Jill had all of our materials precut and lead us step by step in the process. We left with our miniature books safely tucked into pockets, bags or the palm of our hands.
Thank you Jill for sharing your wealth of knowledge and miniature bits of wisdom.
Book Arts News
*** New City Galerie in Burlington is accepting submissions for BOOKBODY, a juried exhibition of art and books relating to book forms and the human body. There are two sections for consideration: books that consider or reference the human body (preferably small press); and unique book objects or sculptures that relate to the forms and structures of both the human body and the book. The show is November 6, 2015 to January 26, 2016.
The submission deadline is September 15th. Please send submissions to newcitygalerie@gmail.com.
*** Geographies: New England Book Work, the New England Chapter of The Guild of Book Workers exhibition, is now on view at the Dartmouth College Library in Hanover, New Hampshire through August 21, 2015.
Geographies: New England Book Work includes bookbindings and artist’s books that relate to the theme of New England created by 26 of their members. Included are classic regional texts, books that make personal connections to the region, and New England history from a variety of perspectives, among other topics.
For more information on the exhibition and the complete schedule please read the post on the chapter blog.
*** The exhibit UNBOUND VOL. V is open now through August 22, 2015 at the Artistree Gallery in Woodstock, VT. This juried show looks to explore this idea of “the book” and all the ways artists use that format as a stepping-off point or as material to explore new ideas.
Book Arts Classes
*** Susan Bonthron of Otter Pond Bindery in Guilford, VT is offering Image & Word: Developing an Interactive Practice in collaboration with poet and writer Christian McEwen. The workshop will take place on August 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In this workshop participants will explore a thoughtful, generative way to develop poems inspired by images and collect them in an unusual and simple book format. No bookbinding or poetry experience necessary.
For more information about the workshops, please contact Susan at susan.bonthron@gmail.com.
*** From January 26 – 31, 2016, Daniel Essig will be teaching Wooden Books – Greek & Centipede Binding at the North Country Studio Workshops in Bennington, VT.
Easily master the centipede stitch by first understanding the structure and workings of this ornate 7th century Greek binding. Using simple hand tools to begin, we will drill, shape, and smooth our wooden book covers. Sealing the covers with milk paint will create a leathery appearance. We will adorn our books with the centipede stitch using two different colors of thread. This elegant sewing structure, combined with wooden covers, opens a wide range of possibilities for both the beginner and the advanced bookbinder.
Applications are now available and the review process begins June 1st. For more information or if you have any questions, please visit the NCSW website.
*** The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Artists’ Book Boot Camp with Annie Silverman on August 24 – 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Present your photographs, prints, collages or paintings in book form. Bring 2-D imagery you have generated to incorporate into your books. Learn basic folded and sewn bindings, discover a range of hard and soft cover options, and explore how to sequence your content. Forms will include pamphlets, multiple signatures, accordions, composites, dos-a-dos and French doors.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
- Book Arts Guild of VT website: http://www.bookartsguildvt.com/
- Book Arts Guild of VT Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bookartsguildvt
- Book Arts Guild of VT on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bagvermont/
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