by Elissa | Aug 7, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 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: Developing Your Personal Writing Style, Part 1
Meta Strick, along with the assistance of Penne Tompkins, will lead you through some straightforward exercises to reveal your handwriting patterns and how to make them more uniform. The goal is to help you become comfortable with the idea and practice of using your own hand lettering in your books or any art projects.
It’s a low stress, fun approach that we hope will be useful to all!
Please bring the following:
- Pencil and eraser
- Pens and markers
- Lined sheets of paper
- Ruler
July Meeting Reflections
The postcard challenge has really brought out some great and diverse talent. Using the new skills acquired over the last few months of programs, participants went wild with the small format, producing postcards to share and swap. It was a swapping frenzy at the meeting. Now, looking forward to September, I can’t wait to see what you do with them!
The artists’ talk with work from the recent S.P.A.C.E. exhibit gave everyone a chance not only to learn more about each other as artists, but also to talk about purpose, inspiration and method in general. Thanks to everyone for participating, listening, and inspiring.
You are all wonderful. You are my people.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Nancy Stone’s watercolor postcards are now in a published book that documents the 2.5 year adventure she shared with her husband as they visited each of Vermont’s 251 towns. Originally begun as a book arts project with original paintings and journal entries, the idea of publishing the artwork resulted from many friends requesting a book.
On Wednesday, August 21st, the Williston library is sponsoring a celebration of Vermont’s 251 Club to be held off-site at the Williston Central School auditorium. From 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Nancy’s postcards will be on display as an installation and the book will be available for sale. At 7:00 p.m., Mike Leonard will screen his film One Town At A Time followed by Q & A. The documentary features diverse voices from members of the 251 Club highlighting the spirit that makes each town uniquely Vermont.
Completion of Mike and Nancy’s personal creative projects happened to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Vermont 251 Club. Begun in 1954, the club has over 6,000 members including residents as well as visitors.
*** Carolyn Shattuck has a retrospective show, Into My Space, open now through September 7th at Compass Music and Arts Center. The exhibit covers the 30+ years of her career as an artist. Work on display ranges from paintings to prints, collages to handmade books, and small to large works.
Compass Music and Arts Center is located at 333 Jones Drive in Brandon, VT.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching another installment of Find Closure at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on August 19 & 20.
Consider this workshop the equivalent of a Closure Dressy Bessy. First you’ll complete a soft cover, leather book using a variation of the long stitch binding. Then comes the fun part – you’ll experiment with a variety of ways to secure those books. You’ll explore ways to use buttons, leather straps, and metal hardware to create up to 5 closures per book (as time allows).
Bring your own embellishments (buttons, ribbons, etc.) that you’d like to use for closures – there will be time for discussion and problem-solving as a group.You’ll leave this workshop with one book measuring 9.5″ x 6.5″, along with a detailed handout and resource list for all materials used.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is holding its annual meeting on Saturday, August 10th at Cottage Street Studios in Easthampton, MA. Non-members are welcome to attend.
Here’s the event schedule:
- 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Traditional Water Gilding demo on a parchment panel with Sarah Pringle of Cinch Custom Finishes
- 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: NEGBW Annual meeting with light refreshments at Praxis Bindery (Room 4-24)
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Cottage Street Studios Open House and Tag Sale with:
- Peter Geraty of Praxis Bindery (Room 4-24)
- Sarah Creighton and Sarah Pringle (#42)
- Carol Blinn of Warwick Press (#36)
- Daniel Kelm (#5)
There will be some small demos and lots of bindery equipment and materials for sale.
Cottage Street Studios is located at One Cottage Street. Please email newenglandgbw@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
*** UNBOUND IX, a juried book arts show at Artistree Gallery in South Pomfret, VT is open now through August 24th.
The show features art using books as a material or a format. Visitors will have an opportunity to examine curious folios, recent grimoires, tomes turned to sculpture and some works having a relation to “books” in concept only.
Several B.A.G. members have work in the exhibit, so sure to stop by!
*** Kolaj Magazine and ARCMTL seek collage artists who make books as part of their broader practice to present their book-centered projects as part of a symposium on the subject of collage and the book. The full-day symposium will take place on October 4th in Montreal.
In addition to making a brief presentation, book projects will be profiled in a special publication that will accompany the symposium. The deadline for submissions is August 31st.
For more information, please check out the call to artists.
*** In conjunction with the symposium, ARCMTL is hosting VOLUME 2 MTL: Art and the Book, Montreal’s annual conference and fair devoted to art publishing and artists’ books. The conference takes place from October 1 – 6, while the fair will be held on October 5 – 6.
VOLUME 2 MTL presents works and programming in both English and French, including artists and publishers from all over Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere.
For more information, please visit the VOLUME 2 MTL website.
Book Arts Classes
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering Letterpress Projects for Books with Richard Reitz Smith from August 25 – 31.
The idea of letterpressing content for your artist book can be overwhelming – the decisions are endless and the stakes are high. This project oriented course is designed to provide mentorship that will help you tackle all the details with confidence.
Each student will create a production plan and begin by cutting down their paper and making polymer plates or setting type. On the press, you’ll learn how to arrange your content and align your paper, then run test prints and finally move into production. We will have guest book artists throughout the week present work and offer tips and advice on book making.
In addition to the printed output of this course, students will leave with a better understanding of how to convert images and type into letterpress books and how to develop an efficient workflow when tackling a letterpress edition.
Click here to register. Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
*** The North Bennet Street School in Boston is offering Secret Belgian Binding – Three Ways with Erin Fletcher on September 14 & 15. The Secret Belgian binding can be constructed quickly with few tools and virtually no equipment. It opens flat and works best with thinner text blocks.
This workshop explores the Secret Belgian structure and ways to modify it. On day one, students put together two variations of this non-adhesive structure: one with exposed stitches and one with hidden stitches. On day two, students explore modified versions of the Secret Belgian binding developed by book artist, Anne Goy by playing with the length of stitching and incorporating Tyvek.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, September 22nd, The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts in Boston is offering Star Books with Cristina Hajosy.
A handmade star book can be presented as an artist’s book or as a hanging ornament. Excite viewers with the visual movement and performative qualities of this unusual book structure. Learn basic bookmaking techniques and experiment with hand-marbled papers, mixed media and collage scraps to customize your books.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
by Elissa | Jul 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 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: Postcard Swap and Artists’ Talk
It’s July! We have invited you to create 7 postcards, 1 to keep for yourself and 6 to swap. We will begin July’s meeting by swapping your 6 postcards for 6 others. The postcards will be collected and grouped in 6’s, and each participant will be given a batch. Of course, swapping can occur after the batches are distributed.
With these original artworks, participants will create a book structure to hold the cards, and share their creation at the September meeting. There’s plenty of time to complete the challenge!
After the postcard swap, artists are invited to give a short talk about their work from the Bound to Happen show at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery. It was a wonderful show with terrific work! This is a chance to get a more in-depth look at the pieces and the thoughts and techniques that went into them.
If you weren’t able to get to the exhibit, you can visit images of the included work on the B.A.G. blog.
June Meeting Reflections
For our June meeting, Elissa Campbell led us through Keith Smith‘s Triple Parquet binding, and with her amazing teaching skills and props, we all finished the lovely leather book within the allotted time.
I always notice during a hands-on presentation, how friendly and willing participants are to share their knowledge with those of us who may struggle or fall behind. Thank you all for that.
Giant thanks to Elissa and her Giant Sewing Board for preparing the kits for us and making the evening fun and productive!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Congratulations to seven (!) Book Arts Guild of Vermont members on their acceptance into UNBOUND IX, an upcoming juried show at Artistree Gallery in South Pomfret, VT.
Ann Joppe-Mercure, Dorsey Hogg, Becky Boardman, Marcia Vogler, Nina Gaby, Debra Kraemer, and Elissa Campbell will have work on exhibit from July 26 – August 24. The opening reception will be held on Friday July 26th, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The show features art using books as a material or a format. Visitors will have an opportunity to examine curious folios, recent grimoires, tomes turned to sculpture and some works having a relation to “books” in concept only.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching The Block Printed Journal at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on July 15 – 16. This class is open to ages 13 years and up.
Block printing is an ancient method of printmaking that can be used to create beautiful, decorated papers. Not only is it fun, but it’s something you can easily do at home. In this two-day class, you’ll experiment with printing and use one of your own papers to cover a handmade journal.
On the first day, you’ll learn how to design and carve rubber stamps that will be used to create your own decorated papers. You’ll focus on basic shapes that can be used for layering and repeating to create rich and complex patterns.
On the second day, you’ll select one of your papers for the cover – you can save your unused papers for other projects. You’ll make a book using a binding that allows the book to remain flat when opened, making it perfect for use as a sketchbook or journal.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** Now through July 27th, the North Bennet Street School in Boston is hosting Formation, a traveling exhibit of work by members of the Guild of Book Workers.
Work in this juried show explores the theme of formation: of personal narratives and histories, craftsmanship, forming ideas, natural sciences, and many more interpretations. Featured among the 50 books are several created by NBSS Bookbinding alumni, faculty members, and colleagues.
The closing reception will be held on Thursday, July 18th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Jackie Scott, the exhibit organizer, will give a brief overview of the exhibit in addition to a few local artists who will speak about their work.
If you can’t make it to the exhibit, you can view images of included work on the Guild of Book Workers website.
*** John Churchman is opening ArtHound Gallery in the new Essex Experience Center (formerly Essex Outlets) and is looking for Vermont artists wishing to show their work. All mediums are welcome.
Artists will have access to classroom space, continuing education and events. The gallery will host three levels of creative expression separated into distinct gallery spaces including Fine Art & Master Artisan Craft, Emerging Artists, and Community & Student Art.
To indicate your interest, please complete the form at this link.
Book Arts Classes
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering two workshops in August that may be of interest:
Composing on the Press with Emily Martin will run from August 4 – 10.
Letterpress printing can be a slow process, but it can also be very spontaneous. Using a Vandercook proof press with magnet and Boxcar bases it is possible to print in a spontaneous manner composing the image as you print.
Stainless steel wire combined with various sticky backed foams can be cut and manipulated to make shapes and lines quickly and can be altered as needed. P22Blox are shaped modules that can be combined and recombined to forms letters, frames, figures and more.
The emphasis will be on experimentation and variation rather than on specific end products. Each participant will contribute a set sized sample print for a portfolio exchange.
Click here to register.
__________
Contemporary Paper Structures with Karen Hanmer will run from August 18 – 24.
Paper structures are quick, elegant, and economical options for a variety of book projects. The structures covered in this workshop will be a great resource to artists, beginner or experienced, looking to expand their repertoire.
Students will construct numerous book structures ranging from unsewn folded sheets to multi-signature books with structural and decorative sewing. Some of the books will have soft paper cases or wrappers, others will have stiff covers. Some will be sewn on supports, others will have exposed sewing. Endsheets may be decorative only or essential to the book’s engineering. Most of the bindings will be close to or completely non-adhesive.
During this information-packed course you will build the knowledge and skills to continue making books in your own studio with a few hand tools and no specialized equipment. This attractive set of models, together with detailed handouts, will be a valuable reference and inspiration for future projects.
Click here to register.
__________
Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
*** Long Ridge Farm is hosting Tactile Notebooks & the Written Word with Sandra Brownlee on August 7 – 11.
Each day students will walk, observe, gather and write, taking the time they need to immerse themselves in each experience. In the studio, they will work in their notebooks creating tactile pages that express what they have experienced in a way that honors their own nature.
The objectives of this workshop are to encourage reflection and awareness grounded in the present moment; to strengthen and vitalize the connection between daily life and notebook keeping; and to foster community through meaningful dialogue between peers.
Click here to register. Long Ridge Farm is located in Westmoreland, NH.
*** Pattison Paperworks is hosting a workshop with Erin Fletcher on August 17 & 18 – Embroidered Leather Bindings.
Embroidery has been used as a decorative technique on bindings for centuries. In Europe, particularly England, around the 15th – 17th centuries a great number of bindings were heavily adorned with embroidery. The substrate was typically canvas, silk or velvet but occasionally leather was used. The designs fell into three distinct categories: heraldic, floral and figurative. Today, embroidery as a decorative technique is seeing a revival in contemporary design bindings and artist books. Many artists and binders are experimenting with embroidery on a range of materials including leather.
In this workshop, students will learn a few basic embroidery techniques that are best for decorating leather along with ways to transfer a design and prep the leather for covering. In addition to these simple embroidery stitches, demonstrations will also cover ways of creating texture and depth to a design by incorporating onlays and other decorative techniques. Students will use these techniques to design and embroider a simple cover for a miniature full leather blank book.
To register, please contact info@pattisonpaperworks.com. Pattison Paperworks is located in Otisfield, ME.
by Elissa | Jun 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 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: Mini Leather Journals with Elissa Campbell
Start your summer by adding a Keith Smith 3-signature binding to your collection!
In this hands-on presentation, Elissa Campbell will teach you Keith Smith’s Triple Parquet binding, using leather for the cover. This three signature binding creates a lovely decorative pattern on the spine. The book also has an integrated closure that coordinates with the sewing.
All materials will be provided, but please bring the following tools:
- Bone folder
- Awl
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Bookbinding or tapestry needle
Optional (for punching small holes in leather):
- Japanese screw punch with a 1.5mm bit
- Eyelet hole punch with a 1/16″ bit
May Meeting Reflections
Multi talented artist Elizabeth Bunsen blew us away at the May meeting, showing us hundreds (well maybe not 100, but 50 at least) of her assemblage books. In explaining her unique practice, Elizabeth gave us a sense of how experimentation and playfulness play a great part in the making and the outcome.
She shared information on her techniques for manipulating materials by dying, staining, and rusting, and generally thrilled us all with her presentation.
Thanks to all who attended, and a special thanks to Elizabeth!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Bound to Happen – B.A.G.’s annual exhibition
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s annual member show, Bound to Happen, opens this Friday, June 7th at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington, VT. The exhibit will be open from June 7 – 29.
Using the book as a format or as material, artists use the interaction of concept, structure, materials, and content to create a kind of happening or experience for the reader.
The exhibit, the first at the gallery since April 2012, includes a wide range of techniques and subject matter ranging from repurposed books turned into sculptural shapes to miniature woven paper structures.
The opening reception is on June 7th, during First Friday Art Walk, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The gallery is located at 266 Pine Street and is open Thursday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The gallery has a Facebook event with more details, as well as an announcement on their website.
*** Post-Meeting Postcard Exchange: Use What We’ve Learned
With the end of our multi-month presentations about imagery, let’s close with a collaborative project to celebrate. We invite you to create 6 postcards to swap, and 1 to keep for yourself. They can all be the same or all different, as long as they are 4″ x 6″. Some ideas might be to pick a theme like shoes, birds, or a quote, and play around with ways of adding the imagery. Any medium can be used – take inspiration from the huge amount of techniques we have learned!
At the July meeting, we will exchange postcards with 6 others. With these original artworks, participants will create a book structure to hold the cards, and share their creation at the September meeting. Plenty of time to complete the challenge!
Here’s a recap:
- July meeting: Participants bring 6 original postcards, 4″x6″, in any medium to swap. Participants leave with 6 different postcards to collect in a book structure.
- September meeting: Participants present their book structures, and we are amazed.
Let’s start making!
B.A.G. Member News
*** Nancy Stone‘s grandfather’s 1936 Webster’s Twentieth Century Dictionary is looking for a new home. She’s hoping that an altered book artist might like it. The dimensions are 11” h x 8.5” w with a 5” deep spine.
Nancy will bring the book to the next B.A.G. meeting for the first person who expresses interest. You can contact her at nstonevt@gmail.com.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching The Moving Book – Pop-Up Basics at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on June 15th.
If you want to add more magic to your cards and artist books, then give pop-ups a try! Also known as paper engineering, pop-ups use cuts and folds to create motion and energy in paper structures.
Through the creation of a series of pop-up cards, you’ll learn the basics of three-dimensional construction, including box supports, props, and straddles. You’ll then bind these cards into a book, which will become a handy reference for future work.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** ArtisTree Gallery is accepting submissions for their 9th annual juried exhibit, UNBOUND: VOL IX. The theme of the show is simple – art using books as a material or a format. Visitors will have an opportunity to examine curious folios, recent grimoires, tomes turned to sculpture and some works having a relation to “books” in concept only.
This call for submissions is open to all 2D, 3D, installation, assemblage, film and video artists who are working in New England or New York who are 18 years of age or older. All artwork must be original in concept, design and execution. Note: Reproductions, if used as mixed media, will be considered.
The deadline for submission is June 28, 2019. All submissions must be made through their online entry form.
For more information, please read the online exhibit prospectus. You can also contact Gallery Director Adrian Tans at gallery@artistreevt.org.
Book Arts Classes
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering Single Signature Variations with Erin Fletcher from June 23 – 29, 2019.
Books come in all shapes and sizes. Some may span only a single signature, while others become a thick tome. In this workshop, you’ll explore the former as you create a multitude of models with both soft and hardcovers.
Students will begin this workshop by making a series of simple softcover pamphlets using a variety of sewing patterns before moving on to hardcover structures. Finally, you will create a modified version of the Bradel binding using a stub at the spine. This will give your books an elegant rounded spine, which will be covered in leather and sided up with decorative paper. All of these structures allow the book to lay flat and are perfect for chapbooks, presentation pamphlets or short stories.
For more information or to register, please visit the Maine Media website.
*** In July, the Wells College Book Arts Center is offering its Summer Institute, two week-long intensive courses in letterpress printing, hand bookbinding, artist’s books, lettering arts and font design. Week 1 runs from July 14 – 20 and Week 2 runs from July 21 – 27.
This year’s instructors include Radha Pandey, Stephanie Carpenter, and Nancy Callahan. Wells College is located in Aurora, NY.
Registration is open now. Please send any inquiries to bookartscenter@wells.edu.
*** The third annual Artist Book Intensive will be held at 26 Split Rock Cove in South Thomaston, ME from August 2 – 4, 2019. The event is sponsored by Midcoast Book Arts and will offer five workshops.
As book artists, we work with structure and content, as well as choice of materials. In the 2019 Artist Book Intensive we will focus on three structures that can yield sculptural possibilities that influence both materials and content. We are excited about introducing some new ideas and techniques to all of you. All skill levels welcome!
For more information, please visit the Artist Book Intensive website.
by Elissa | May 2, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 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: Artist Talk with Elizabeth Bunsen
Please join us for the opportunity to meet celebrated artist Elizabeth Bunsen, winner of the 2018 Barbara Smail Award. Elizabeth will share notes on her artistic practice and life, and show us examples of her work in book form.
Elizabeth begins each morning with a creative practice, somewhat like journaling, but more like ‘messing around’ with whatever elements catch her eye. She says “Morning practice is optimally a daily practice (like yoga) of creating a meditative environment – an oasis of peace, clarity and intention…sinking (relaxing) into the sensual moment and the timelessness of play resulting in a mandala-like assemblage that can be documented…”
She works with found materials, natural dyes, stitching, and any number of techniques to create unique assemblages and books. Her training as a painter shows in her use and combination of color, and her interest in manipulating materials through dying, staining, and rusting results in magic.
Come share some magic. In the meantime, visit her website and Instagram posts, and her show, Pivonkarose, at Burlington City Arts on Church Street until May 4th.
April Meeting Reflections
At our April meeting, Sally Blanchard-O’Brien introduced us to many techniques for including stitchery in our work. Some of the explorations she showed us included stitchery as an addition to an image, or to create the image itself, as well as to finish the edges of the book in a new way.
She also touched on stitching as not only a structural element in book making, but as a way to enhance the design of the book itself. Whether you are new to hand stitching or an accomplished seamstress, we all benefited from Sally’s lively presentation.
Thanks to everyone who attended (many new faces!), and thanks to Sally for providing us with new ideas, and for sharing her book making story.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** The board of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont sadly bids a fond farewell to one of our fearless leaders, Jill Abilock, who has been acting as co-chair for the past six years. She also worked tirelessly planning programs for our monthly meetings.
Jill will continue attending meetings as a member, so we’ll still get to see her smiling face. If you haven’t yet had the chance to thank her for her hard work, please pat her on the back at the next meeting you attend.
Thanks for everything Jill!
*** Bound to Happen – B.A.G.’s annual exhibition
Our annual book arts show will be hosted by the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington, VT. We are excited to be in a wonderful space in Burlington from June 7 – 29! The title for the show is Bound to Happen, and it’s open to any interpretation from the artists.
Here are some important dates:
- Entry due date: May 31, 2019. No Entries will be accepted after this date. Artists are encouraged to bring work and appropriate paperwork to the May 8th BAG meeting. If you can’t attend, or if you’re not quite ready, please email Marcia.
- Exhibit dates: June 7 – 29, 2019
- Opening reception: June 7, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The reception coincides with First Friday, a popular event in the South End.
- Artist’s Talk: Work will be returned to the artist at the July 10th B.A.G. meeting, at which time we will share our work.
Information for entry:
- Entry paperwork can be downloaded here.
- Entry fee will be $10.00 for up to 3 pieces.
- Work must be ready to hang or display. If you have display instructions, please include them with your entry.
- Work must have identification somewhere on the piece.
- The gallery commission is 40%, so please price accordingly.
- Also, if you have photographs of your work, please email them to Marcia if you want them to possibly be included in marketing materials.
Have questions? Please ask Marcia.
*** Post-Meeting Postcard Exchange: Use What We’ve Learned
With the end of our multi-month presentations about imagery, let’s close with a collaborative project to celebrate. We invite you to create 6 postcards to swap, and 1 to keep for yourself. They can all be the same or all different, as long as they are 4″ x 6″. Some ideas might be to pick a theme like shoes, birds, or a quote, and play around with ways of adding the imagery. Any medium can be used – take inspiration from the huge amount of techniques we have learned!
At the July meeting, we will exchange postcards with 6 others. With these original artworks, participants will create a book structure to hold the cards, and share their creation at the September meeting. Plenty of time to complete the challenge!
Here’s a recap:
- July meeting: Participants bring 6 original postcards, 4″x6″, in any medium to swap. Participants leave with 6 different postcards to collect in a book structure.
- September meeting: Participants present their book structures, and we are amazed.
Let’s start making!
*** Show us what you’re working on!
As we continue with meetings that teach us more about image making the idea of sharing what we’ve learned has emerged. At each meeting we learn some skill and then go away and often explore that skill on our own. No one gets to see this private work.
Now we would like to invite participants to share their explorations into collage and mark making and stitching and whatever else strikes your fancy. We encourage everyone to bring in something you’ve been working on/experimenting with to share with others.
This is to be a very informal activity and outside the agenda of the meeting since it is so hard to accomplish everything in the two hours as it is. Works can just be put out in a designated place to provide an opportunity for informal conversation. The room is available to us beginning at 6:00 p.m. so between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., we can use the space for free time or for sharing.
B.A.G. Member News
*** Penne Tompkins has work featured in The Art of Calligraphy, exhibit open through May 29th at the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield, VT.
The exhibit includes an amazing display of artwork created by five of Vermont’s finest calligraphers. This is an opportunity to be inspired by their wonderfully diverse styles, each reflecting the artist’s love of words enhanced by their own unique art forms.
The gallery is open on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information please email galleryvault@vermontel.net or call (802) 885-7111.
*** On May 25 & 26 (Memorial Day Weekend), the statewide Open Studio Weekend is offering a wonderful selection of book and paper arts studios for you to visit.
If you’re up for a tour, you can find members of your tribe in the following locations:
Elissa created a Google Map with all of the locations to help you with your tour.
Copies of the the 2019 Spring Event & Resource Guide will be available at the May B.A.G. meeting. Maps and directions to studios are also available on the VT Crafts Council website.
Book Arts News
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is looking for volunteers to teach simple bookbinding techniques and creative content at an upcoming Girl Scout event. Through this event, NEGBW volunteers will be helping Cadettes earn their Book Artist badge and potentially inspire future bookbinders.
The event will be held on Sunday May 19, 2019 at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham, MA. There will be two sessions – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
You do not need to be a member of the NEGBW to volunteer. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Todd Pattison at bookandtile@att.net.
*** ArtisTree Gallery is accepting submissions for their 9th annual juried exhibit, UNBOUND: VOL IX. The theme of the show is simple – art using books as a material or a format. Visitors will have an opportunity to examine curious folios, recent grimoires, tomes turned to sculpture and some works having a relation to “books” in concept only.
This call for submissions is open to all 2D, 3D, installation, assemblage, film and video artists who are working in New England or New York who are 18 years of age or older. All artwork must be original in concept, design and execution. Note: Reproductions, if used as mixed media, will be considered.
The deadline for submission is June 28, 2019. All submissions must be made through their online entry form.
For more information, please read the online exhibit prospectus. You can also contact Gallery Director Adrian Tans at gallery@artistreevt.org.
Book Arts Classes
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering Single Signature Variations with Erin Fletcher from June 23 – 29, 2019.
Books come in all shapes and sizes. Some may span only a single signature, while others become a thick tome. In this workshop, you’ll explore the former as you create a multitude of models with both soft and hardcovers.
Students will begin this workshop by making a series of simple softcover pamphlets using a variety of sewing patterns before moving on to hardcover structures. Finally, you will create a modified version of the Bradel binding using a stub at the spine. This will give your books an elegant rounded spine, which will be covered in leather and sided up with decorative paper. All of these structures allow the book to lay flat and are perfect for chapbooks, presentation pamphlets or short stories.
For more information or to register, please visit the Maine Media website.
*** The third annual Artist Book Intensive will be held at 26 Split Rock Cove in South Thomaston, ME from August 2 – 4, 2019. The event is sponsored by Midcoast Book Arts and will offer five workshops.
As book artists, we work with structure and content, as well as choice of materials. In the 2019 Artist Book Intensive we will focus on three structures that can yield sculptural possibilities that influence both materials and content. We are excited about introducing some new ideas and techniques to all of you. All skill levels welcome!
For more information, please visit the Artist Book Intensive website.
by Elissa | Apr 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 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: Imagery for Books Part 3 – Decorative Stitchery with Sally Blanchard-O’Brien
In our April meeting, we will delve into a novel method for adding imagery and visual appeal to books – stitchery!
Sally Blanchard-O’Brien will lead us in an exciting exploration of the many different ways that stitching can be used as a structural element in bookmaking, as well as a decorative design element. The meeting will introduce us to a wide variety of ideas, with time to try a few different techniques.
Please bring the following:
- Sewing needles (a couple of different sizes to accommodate different types of thread)
- Thread (embroidery floss, if you have it)
- Paper piercing device (needle tool or awl if you have one, or you can just use a needle)
- Cutting mat or pad for piercing
- Ephemera, collage materials or decorative/interesting paper (optional)
We’ll also have some time to share, so please bring any books you’ve made that feature stitchery as a decorative element. The stitching can be ornamental (e.g., on the pages or covers as decoration) or structural (e.g., Keith Smith’s centipede binding or fancy Japanese stab bindings).
March Meeting Reflections
We thought we had dodged the snow, until we opened the door after the meeting – surprise! Hope everyone got home safely.
Our March meeting, Mark-Making, was another episode in Imagery for Books, our multi-month focus. Marilyn Gillis shared her story of how mark-making became a central part of her work. While explaining many different techniques and materials for making your own marks, she shared many beautiful pieces she has created using them.
For the hands-on portion of the meeting, Marilyn set up different stations with her favorite techniques and let us all try them out. Clearly, fun was had by all! There was lots of collaboration and experimenting going on with straws, pipe cleaners, and wax, just to name a few.
A big thanks to Marilyn for an exciting evening, and thanks to everyone for coming and participating!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Bound to Happen – B.A.G.’s annual exhibition
Our annual book arts show will be hosted by the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington, VT. We are excited to be in a wonderful space in Burlington from June 7 – 29! The title for the show is Bound to Happen, and it’s open to any interpretation from the artists.
Here are some important dates:
- Entry due date: May 31, 2019 No Entries will be accepted after this date. Artists are encouraged to bring work and appropriate paperwork to the May 8th BAG meeting.
- Exhibit dates: June 7 – 29, 2019
- Opening reception: June 7, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The reception coincides with First Friday, a popular event in the South End.
- Artist’s Talk: Work will be returned to the artist at the July 10th B.A.G. meeting, at which time we will share our work.
Information for entry:
- Entry paperwork can be downloaded here.
- Entry fee will be $10.00 for up to 3 pieces.
- Work must be ready to hang or display. If you have display instructions, please include them with your entry.
- Work must have identification somewhere on the piece.
- The gallery commission is 40%, so please price accordingly.
Have questions? Please ask Marcia.
*** Post-Meeting Postcard Exchange: Use What We’ve Learned
With the end of our multi-month presentations about imagery, let’s close with a collaborative project to celebrate. We invite you to create 6 postcards to swap, and 1 to keep for yourself. They can all be the same or all different, as long as they are 4″ x 6″. Some ideas might be to pick a theme like shoes, birds, or a quote, and play around with ways of adding the imagery. Any medium can be used – take inspiration from the huge amount of techniques we have learned!
At the July meeting, we will exchange postcards with 6 others. With these original artworks, participants will create a book structure to hold the cards, and share their creation at the September meeting. Plenty of time to complete the challenge!
Here’s a recap:
- April meeting: Introduction to the Postcard Exchange project. Presentation of examples of structures to house postcards, so you can get thinking.
- July meeting: Participants bring 6 original postcards, 4″x6″, in any medium to swap. Participants leave with 6 different postcards to collect in a book structure.
- September meeting: Participants present their book structures, and we are amazed.
Let’s start making!
*** Show us what you’re working on!
As we continue with meetings that teach us more about image making the idea of sharing what we’ve learned has emerged. At each meeting we learn some skill and then go away and often explore that skill on our own. No one gets to see this private work.
Now we would like to invite participants to share their explorations into collage and mark making and stitching and whatever else strikes your fancy. We encourage everyone to bring in something you’ve been working on/experimenting with to share with others.
This is to be a very informal activity and outside the agenda of the meeting since it is so hard to accomplish everything in the two hours as it is. Works can just be put out in a designated place to provide an opportunity for informal conversation. The room is available to us beginning at 6:00 p.m. so between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., we can use the space for free time or for sharing.
B.A.G. Member News
*** Penne Tompkins has work featured in The Art of Calligraphy, exhibit open through May 29th at the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield, VT.
The exhibit includes an amazing display of artwork created by five of Vermont’s finest calligraphers. This is an opportunity to be inspired by their wonderfully diverse styles, each reflecting the artist’s love of words enhanced by their own unique art forms.
The gallery is open on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information please email galleryvault@vermontel.net or call (802) 885-7111.
*** The international art magazine, Ceramics Art + Perception, issue #111 has published an interview on B.A.G. member Nina Gaby’s 3-dimensional memoir work in mixed-media: Ways to Tell a Story.
Congrats to Nina for the wonderful feature! Be sure to check out the article online.
*** Calling all poets and writers of all ages and experience and those who love combining words and art!
B.A.G. member and The Poartry Project founder, JC Wayne, is launching a new bi-monthly art-inspired inclusive community poetry reading series. Each reading centers on each new art exhibit at Flynndog Gallery at Burlington’s South End Station. Poets and writers are invited to visit the exhibit and write and submit a 1-page original poem or prose piece inspired by the art on display.
The first reading of work inspired by the paintings of Roger Coleman and the photography of Peter Curtis is Saturday, April 27th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. with food and drink available for purchase from Nomad Coffee before and during the reading.
Please visit the Poartry website for important writing process details/submission guidelines. The submission deadline is April 11, 2019. If you have questions, please contact JC. For those interested in participating but may need more time, deadline extensions are available. Please encourage kids in your life of all ages to participate!
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching the Phabulous Photo Album at the Bayside Activity Center in Colchester, VT on April 18th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In this workshop, you will learn how to create an elegant hard-cover photo album using bookcloth and handmade paper – this is a wonderful keepsake that can hold 4” x 6” photos from your recent vacation or family holiday gathering.
Each participant will leave class with a completed photo album and a basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use.
No previous experience required – this is a great class for a beginner. You can even bring in your own cover materials to customize your book. All tools and materials will be provided.
Registration is available online. You can also download a pdf of the registration form and mail it in with your payment.
Book Arts News
*** The University of Southern Maine‘s 7th annual Book Arts Bazaar will be held on Sunday, April 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Wishcamper Center on the school’s Portland campus.
This festival with book artists, papermakers, bookbinders, printmakers, educators, and writers is dedicated to all things related to the book. The free event is sponsored by USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell ’83 Center for Book Arts.
Carolyn Shattuck will have an exhibitor table with her artists books, so be sure to stop by and say hi!
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rebecca Goodale.
*** On April 12th, the Book Arts Workshop at Dartmouth College is hosting the Stephen Harvard Memorial Lecture and Symposium, Touch Your Words: Teaching Indigenous Languages Through Making.
The recent purchase of metal type in the Cherokee Syllabary has prompted new interest in the Book Arts Workshop at Dartmouth College Library. With the Cherokee type and other printing and binding activity, faculty in Native American Studies, Anthropology, Linguistics, and Environmental Studies have integrated book-making projects into their courses, giving students hands-on exposure and practice in the study of indigenous languages. Over the past year, a number of students and faculty have engaged in applied learning in language revitalization with the Book Arts Workshop.
The lecture and symposium seek to bring together makers of all kinds (students, scholars, librarians, writers, artists, and printers) to exchange their experiences and knowledge in tactile learning and explore new possibilities.
Schedule of events:
- 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.: Open house style workshop in the Book Arts Workshop
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.: Speakers in Haldeman 41
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Reception in Haldeman
Dartmouth is located in Hanover, NH. For more information, please visit the Dartmouth Library website.
*** The Museum of Printing is having a letterpress sale on April 13th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the graphic arts, printing and typesetting technology, and printing craftsmanship.
Tabletop and floor presses, type, type cabinets, borders and ornaments, furniture and reglet cabinets, and all sorts of good letterpress stuff will be available.
The Museum of Printing is located at 15 Thornton Avenue in Haverill, MA.
*** Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. will be in residence on the Wells College campus conducting a week-long series of events co-sponsored by The Wells Book Arts Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the String Room Gallery and the Wells College Scholar-In-Residence program.
Visual Noise features poster prints by acclaimed letterpress printer and book artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Renowned for his bold use of typography and renegade letterpress technique, Kennedy has built a forceful, witty, and subversive creative practice centered on calling attention to past and present experiences of race, labor, art, and printing. While his work is widely exhibited and held in collections, he ensures access to his posters by selling them at affordable prices. Visual Noise will culminate with a Cash & Carry event, with all posters available for purchase.
All are welcome to join Kennedy at the following public events during his residency:
- Open Printing Drop-In Session: April 15, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Morgan Hall
- Open Printing Drop-In Session: April 16, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Morgan Hall
- Tea Time with Amos: April 17, 3:00 p.m. at Zabriskie Hall, Room 306
- Documentary Film Screening, Proceed and Be Bold: April 17, 7:00 p.m. at Stratton Hall, Room 209
- Artist Talk, Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothin‘: April 18, 6:00 p.m. at Stratton Hall, Room 209
- Closing Reception and Cash & Carry, Visual Noise: April 19, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the String Room Gallery
Wells College is in Aurora, NY.
*** The New England Guild of Book Workers is presenting a lecture with Bay Area based bookbinder John DeMerritt at the North Bennet Street School on April 18 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Building a Living Craft.
John will give a talk based on the editions of books, boxes and housings he creates for artists, galleries, fine art publishers and institutions. He will discuss how he has developed his studio practice and his origins as an Edition Binder.
Much of John’s recent commissioned work has been to create housings for digital media Art Projects. This has propelled him into new areas of edition binding that require him to embrace new technologies and expand the traditional role of the binder in terms of ‘book’ work. Using these new projects as a platform, John will discuss how working with new media and formats has simultaneously transformed his studio practice and reinforced its traditional origins.
The lecture is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. The North Bennet Street School is in Boston, MA.
Book Arts Classes
*** On June 8 & 9, the North Bennet Street School is offering Bookbinding 101 with Amy Lapidow.
In this class, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class begins with a simple pamphlet and continues with constructing two multi-signature books known as a flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students construct a box to house all of their creations.
This class is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. All tools and supplies are provided for this class.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, June 9th, The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Celebration Accordion Books with Susan Porter.
Using an accordion book form, make a festive book full of surprises, packing it full of words, letters, tiny booklets, pockets, windows, beads and a range of other materials to give meaning to your celebratory wishes. Develop a concept, decide on your palette, chose a theme or occasion, then dive into a wealth of ingredients to build your book. Leave with a dramatic one-of-a-kind gift, or meaningful object to keep yourself.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
by Elissa | Mar 7, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 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.
Picture the Possibilities: Imagery for Books
Join us in our multi-month exploration of various methods and materials for adding imagery to your books. Whether you have an illustrator’s hand or stand proudly in the stick-figure league, you can create books rich in imagery through techniques as diverse as collage, mark-making, and even stitchery.
Join us for an adventure in learning that’s bound to add richness and dimension to your work!
Program: Imagery for Books Part 2 – Hand-Drawn Mark Making with Marilyn Gillis
Marilyn Gillis will lead this month’s meeting with a series of activities for making hand-drawn marks. Marilyn has used hand-drawn mark-making extensively in her mixed media art for the past ten years.
She will bring examples to illustrate a variety of techniques, but this will be a “hands-on” meeting where you will have fun exploring on your own.
Please bring the following:
- Pencils
- Black ink pens
- Calligraphy pens (if you have them)
- Graphite pens such as Lyra (if you have them)
- Black markers
- Small sharp scissors or X-Acto knife
February Meeting Reflections
It’s been a long tough winter, but we finally managed to hold a meeting on a day without snow, or at least just a dusting. To introduce the B.A.G. theme for the next few months, Imagery for Books, Marilyn Gillis and Marcia Vogler (me) presented an evening filled with collage: examples of our own work, tips and techniques, and equipment and materials.
Although Marilyn and I have completely different points of view, we managed to paste together a great evening. Everyone had a chance to view the pieces we brought and share in the generous giveaways brought by members. To round out the meeting, we participated in a round robin collage-a-thon, passing papers, glue sticks, and scissors to each other during a timed session. Fun was had by all.
Thanks for coming, everyone, and special thanks to Marilyn for a great presentation.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Support the Book Arts Guild of Vermont by becoming a member!
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont is supported by its members and you have kept us going for more than ten years. Our organization is solely run by volunteers and we do what we do because we love the book arts and we love B.A.G. We continue to be inspired by our community, and the enthusiasm and talents that you bring to our meetings.
The Board of Directors recently met to plan the year ahead and decided to give members a picture of B.A.G.’s annual expenses.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Rent: $50.00 per month
- Presenter honorarium: $35.00 per meeting
- Website and email newsletter: $100.00 per year
- Presenter reimbursement for supplies: Varies
If you’ve done the math, you’ll see that we need a minimum of $910.00 (not including supply reimbursement) to cover our annual expenses.
Membership dues are our main source of income and we hope that you will show that you value what we have to offer – quality programming, field trips, exhibits, and more – by becoming a member. You get so much value out of your $35.00 and attending just one meeting can give you your full money’s worth.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the February meeting. If you will not be at the meeting, you can download our membership form and send it in with your payment.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the guild. We wouldn’t be here without you.
*** Announcing the Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s annual exhibition!
The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington has kindly offered to host our annual show this year. We are excited to be in a wonderful space in Burlington from June 7 – 29! The title for the show will be Bound to Happen, and is open to any interpretation from the artists.
Here are some important dates:
- Entry due date: May 31, 2019
- Exhibit dates: June 7 – 29, 2019
- Opening reception: June 7, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
More details will be offered at a later date, but let’s get working!
Have questions? Please ask Marcia.
*** Art on Main in Bristol, VT has two book arts classes coming up that are being taught by B.A.G. members. Here’s the scoop:
Watercolor Exploration Flag Book with teacher and bookmaker Dorsey Hogg will take place on Saturday, March 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with a lunch break.
In this workshop you will explore a variety of watercolor techniques to create beautiful papers. Then you will use those papers to build a flag book with interlocking accordion spines. If you are new to watercolor painting and book arts, then this is a great place to start – if you are an experienced water colorist and paper artist then come and share your expertise with us. We’ll see what new ideas we can discover together!
Suminagashi – Paper Marbling and Japanese Bookbinding with bookmaker Jane Ploughman of Ploughgirl Press will take place on Saturday, April 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Japanese marbling or Suminagashi is the practice of gently floating pigments on the surface of water using a brush or brushes to create beautiful delicate designs on paper. Students will be introduced to this Japanese marbling using traditional techniques with a variety of inks. Each student will be able to experiment with different types and sizes of paper. These papers can be used for all types of paper crafts including bookbinding, calligraphy, cards, etc.
Students will also sew a small notebook using a traditional Japanese stab binding pattern. Each student will learn at least one pattern and be shown others for inspiration. Simple bookbinding techniques and resources will be provided. All materials are provided. No experience needed.
Both workshops are being held at ARTSight Studios at 6 South Street in Bristol, VT. Please contact Art on Main to register at (802) 453-4032.
Book Arts News
*** Now through May 3rd, the Bromer Gallery is hosting A Visual Feast: The Art of Laura Davidson and David Esslemont. The exhibit brings together prints, watercolors, woodcuts, calligraphy, drawing, and bookbinding to create a tableau of book artistry.
Based out of Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood, Laura Davidson centers her work on past-made-present, using found objects and soft textures to imbue her work with nostalgia. She expresses her talents through a range of media, including books, drawings, prints, paper mosaics, and paper sculptures.
David Esslemont, born in England and currently a resident of northeast Iowa, focuses much of his artistic attention on the interaction between nature, art, and humanity. He often directly engages with nature in order to best present its nuanced beauty, and participates in his own visual narratives in his series of “food” books.
The Bromer Gallery is located at 607 Boylston Street in Boston, MA.
*** The North Bennet Street School will host an exhibition, Bound Together: Bookbinding by the North Bennet Street School Community, from March 28 – April 30. This unique gathering of exquisite hand-bound books showcases the talents of their students and alumni, and offers insight into their renowned bookbinding program.
On March 28th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., there will be an information session and open house in the NBSS bindery, which will be followed by an opening reception for the exhibit.
The NBSS is located at 150 North Street in Boston, MA.
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is looking for volunteers to teach simple bookbinding techniques and creative content at two upcoming Girl Scout events. Through these events, NEGBW volunteers will be helping Cadettes earn their Book Artist badge and potentially inspiring future bookbinders.
The first event will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Camp Rice Moody in Reading, MA. The second event will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham, MA. Each event generally lasts from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and carpooling can be arranged.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Lauren Telepak at negbwprograms@gmail.com.
Book Arts Classes
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is hosting a one-day paste paper workshop with Madeleine Durham on either March 23rd or 24th. The workshop will take place at the Washington Street Art Center in Somerville, MA.
In this workshop you will learn the brush technique that Madeleine has developed over the last many years. You will learn what kind of brushes work best and how to hold them so that you create a variety of lines, shapes, and patterns. You will also learn tricks for blending colors.
You will leave the class with a basic knowledge and ability to create straight lines, wavy lines, subtle blending techniques and geometric patterns. Madeleine’s paste paper technique is delightfully spontaneous. Come to class ready to have fun!
Registration is available online. Due to the limitations of the NEGBW’s registration system, you will not be able to choose between the two available days. After you register, please contact them with your preferred date.
*** From March 16 – April 13, the North Bennet Street School is offering Fundamentals of Bookbinding I with Erin Fletcher.
Students will learn the foundations of bookbinding by combining hands-on exercises and discussion. The class starts by exploring non-adhesive structures: soft cover pamphlet, Coptic, historical longstitch and link stitch. The class ends with a look at case bindings, with the creation of two hardcover flatback bindings. Students also learn different structural elements, sewing variations, covering and cutting techniques using various materials, tools and equipment.
Throughout the course discussions will cover terminology, paper grain and folding, selecting proper materials and tools, and adhesives and their properties. Please bring a notebook with you to class. All tools and supplies are provided for this class.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** Erin Fletcher is also teaching Focus on Case Bindings at the North Bennet Street School from April 8 – 12, 2019.
Explore case binding structures through repetition while experimenting with minor changes in technique with each book. The course covers structural elements, sewing variations, covering, and cutting techniques using various tools and equipment. Discussions cover terminology, paper grain and folding, selecting proper materials and tools, and adhesives and their properties.
Students have ample time to repeat each technique in order to achieve precision and accuracy. Time will be dedicated to working on personal projects during the latter half of the workshop. While some materials can be supplied, students should bring the bulk of the materials required for their work.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, March 17th, The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Altered Books with Cristina Hajosy.
Transform books, old or new, into art objects. The book becomes a canvas, a sculpture or a reliquary of personally meaningful content. Draw inspiration from the book’s author or contents or purely use the book as a structure. Incorporate paper cutting, collage, bookmaking and other processes. The instructor will have books on hand or bring your own, along with small objects and images to include.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
