by Elissa | Dec 6, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 12, 2018, 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: Origami and Kirigami: Holiday Decorations and Ornaments in Paper
Join us in December as Jill Abilock shares easy patterns and techniques for creating stunning cut snowflakes and beautiful origami ornaments. The items we make can be used to decorate holiday cards, spruce up the windows and walls of your home, or brighten up your tree!
Jill will provide the paper and patterns.
Please bring:
- Bone folder
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife
- Ruler
- Cutting mat
- Pencil & eraser
- Glue stick
Also, if you have paper-crafted items for the holiday, please bring them in to show and tell.
Jill will bring hot mulled apple cider and a baked treat to celebrate the season. If you have the time and are so inclined, bring a goodie to share as we celebrate another successful year of Book Arts Guild programs together!
November Meeting Reflections
Our program for November, Book Blitz and Card Tricks was, as usual, hugely successful. Members and friends shared the love of the handmade, showing tricks and techniques to make seasonal greetings and fun stuff. There is always something new to learn, even from the simplest structure.
The meeting allowed everyone to participate in the open setting, where we learned how to make a dimensional card, an envelope sleeve, and a sweet non-adhesive binding. We also learned that some of our members are a little crazy – who makes 125 complicated seasonal cards? We all want to get on her mailing list!
Ann was kind enough to bring her Cricut cutting machine for all to try out. The possibilities seem endless and much less stressful than cutting small shapes with an X-Acto. Thanks, Ann, and thanks to everyone who shared and participated. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what all of you talented people will bring for the ornament exchange in December.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** December Handmade Ornament Exchange
At our December meeting, we will host an ornament exchange where members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional.
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped or unwrapped.
- Swap for another ornament.
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
Book Arts News
*** Chena River Marblers is holding their Annual Studio Sale on December 8 & 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA.
Marblers Regina and Dan St. John will be selling overstock works and seconds, including marbled silk scarves, ties, bow ties, sketchbooks, notepads, pencils, barrettes, holiday ornaments, and marbled papers in both full sheets and small scrap bag size.
For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
*** Now through January 15, 2019, the Bromer Gallery is hosting Goldman and Lee: Shadow and Color, featuring Jane Goldman‘s watercolors and editioned prints from her Audubon Series, together with the color woodcuts of Jim Lee.
The gallery was launched by Bromer Booksellers to mark its fiftieth year as a leading specialist in rare books. It will operate in conjunction with the book shop, and will feature original art, edition prints, and related material, executed by artists whose work is centered upon the idea of the book as art. This new endeavor is a natural extension of Bromer Booksellers’ long history as specialists in the art of the book.
*** 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
*** On December 15 – 16, the North Bennet Street School is offering Bookbinding 101 with Erin Fletcher.
In this two day class, students 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.
*** The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, MA has two book arts classes coming up this winter. Here’s the scoop:
Stab-Bound Books with Dan Paret will take place on 2 Sundays, January 27th and February 3rd, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Stab-bound books are a satisfying and accessible project for beginning book makers. Start with a small partial-cover book and move on to a larger, fully-covered book. You’ll consider a variety of options, including cloth and paper choices, binding patterns, thread sizes and colors. Leave with two carefully made books and an understanding of how to continue your bookmaking journey.
Paste Paper with Cristina Hajosy will take place on Sunday February 17, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Paste paper is traditionally used for endpapers and book covers, offering a textural and colorful alternative to marbling. See some historical and contemporary approaches, then create your own. Start with a traditional method, then learn ways to make more creative and painterly versions.
For more information about the classes, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
by Elissa | Nov 29, 2017 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 13, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 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: Get Your Holiday Book Arts On: Ornament Exchange/Make a Froebel Star
Deck the halls with handmade creations! Join us in December for a meeting filled with holiday cheer, a handmade ornament exchange and a hands-on workshop to make a traditional European holiday paper star ornament.
In the first part of the meeting, Annette Hansen of Make Life Cozy will teach us to fold beautiful, three-dimensional Froebel Stars, a traditional paper decoration that graces homes in Germany and Scandinavia throughout the holiday season. Annette, who grew up in Denmark, says that paper arts are an integral part of holiday hygge (a Danish word that captures the coziness, conviviality, warmth and contentment of the holiday season).
Annette will bring all supplies, including an array of colored paper for the stars in addition to the traditional white. We’ll also explore way to join and use the stars beyond ornaments.
Tools to bring:
Once we all have stars in hand, we’ll hold the first B.A.G. handmade ornament exchange. Participation is easy: Simply hand make an ornament and bring it to the meeting (wrapped or unwrapped) to swap!
Once we’ve swapped, all makers are invited to share a little bit about their inspiration and/or process. Instructions on how to make your ornament are always appreciated but entirely optional.
November Meeting Reflections
Our November meeting was true to its title of Card Tricks and Book Blitz – Member-led Mini Workshops. We had multiple stations of creative paper play including folded stars, pop-up cards, lanterns, and folded boxlike containers.
Fun was had by all as we roamed the room collecting ideas and having hands-on fun as we made out own samples at each mini workshop.
The November meeting format has become a tradition in the Book Arts Guild. Those in attendance are already looking forward to next year.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** December Handmade Ornament Exchange
At our December meeting, we will host an ornament exchange where members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped or unwrapped
- Swap for another ornament
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
*** Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 Show news!
Members and friends are invited to submit work for our show at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here is our show name and description, which leaves it wide open for interpretation:
Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Books can take on a language of their own, as shown in the multimedia work of this group of artists that use shape, structure, and materials to get their message across.
Important dates:
- Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 1, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.
- Opening: May 22, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
The second show will take place in June at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington. Dates for the show have yet to be determined. Stay tuned for updates.
Book Arts News
*** From November 3 – December 22, the North Bennet Street School will host Heroic Works, the third International Bookbinding Exhibition from Designer Bookbinders in the United Kingdom. The exhibit includes 28 prizewinning bindings and 9 works by binders from the United States.
184 binders from 31 countries participated in the competition by binding a book of their own choosing on the theme of myths, heroes, and legends. These works reflect a remarkable range of styles, materials, and approaches to great classics of world literature, as well as modern texts.
The exhibit is free and open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The North Bennet Street School is located in Boston, MA.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding their Annual Studio Sale on December 9 & 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA.
Marblers Regina and Dan St. John will be selling overstock works and seconds, including marbled silk scarves, ties, bow ties, sketchbooks, notepads, holiday ornaments, and marbled papers in both full sheets and small scrap bag size.
For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
*** The Sketchbook Project 2018 is looking for people to participate in their annual collaborative art endeavor. The concept is simple – you request a blank book and then fill it with your artwork.
You can select from a number of themes, including the following:
- Underwater
- Lines and Graphics
- Long Stories with Short Endings
- No Worries
- Connections
- People I Wish I Knew
Once your book is filled, you send it back and it becomes part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Visitors to the library can view sketchbooks contributed by artists from around the world.
The cost is $30.00 to receive a sketchbook and participate in the project. The deadline to sign up is January 5, 2018. For more information, please visit their website.
*** The Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation, has announced its lineup of instructors for 2018:
PBI will take place from May 13 – 24, 2018 at Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, MI. The general application period begins on January 1, 2018. Applications for scholarships are being accepted now through December 31, 2017.
For more information, please visit the PBI website.
Book Arts Classes
*** On December 16 – 17, Susan Bonthron will be teaching the Coptic-sewn Hardbound Journal with paste paper covers and spine sleeves.
This is the Soul’s Kitchen journal that Paulus Berensohn taught so many of his students to make. It is 12¼” x by 9¼” and uses gorgeous Arches Text Wove paper that is suitable for writing, drawing and watercolor sketching. A journal to hold your dreams, ideas, plans, and noticings of “who else is here with us.”
For more information or to register, please contact Susan at (802) 257-0003 or susan.bonthron@gmail.com.
*** The Helen Day Art Center is offering Introduction to Bookbinding with Chiyomi McKibbin on January 27 – 28, 2018 (Sunday is optional).
On the first day of this workshop, students will learn to make an accordion book, a pamphlet stitch book, and how to fold a single sheet of paper into 7 different folded books. On the second day, students will make a portable hole-punching cradle that can be used for future stitch-bound books along with learning how to make Postal Notebooks. Supplies will be provided. Teens welcome!
The Helen Day Art Center is located in Stowe, VT. For more information about the class or to register, please visit the Helen Day Art Center’s website.
*** On February 10 – 11, the North Bennet Street School is offering Bookbinding 101 with Erin Fletcher.
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.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Dec 8, 2016 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 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: Sarah Frechette presents The Snowflake Man Touring Pop-up Puppet Theater Show
Added hands-on bonus: Design Your Own Pop-up Puppet Theater!
Join us for a year-end program sure to warm your heart and bring inspired holiday cheer. Puppetkabob artist Sarah Frechette will perform her touring marionette show The Snowflake Man. Combined with her wonderfully artistic puppetry, Sarah uses pop-up book pages as a magical platform to transport the puppet characters, as well as the audience, back in time to tell the story of snowflake photography pioneer Snowflake Bentley.
Pop-up books are a great style of art for communicating stories, as well as, traveling in time and space. As an added bonus, Sarah will share the development & design process she used to create the show’s pop-up book stage, and then teach us how to turn flat colorful pages into a 3D live-action performance using simple angles and moving puppets & props!
Design your own Pop-up Puppet Theater to bring the pages of your favorite book, movie or moment to life. Together, puppets and pop-up books are a great combination for sharing stories and ideas, and make a wonderful project for people of all ages.
Things to bring:
- Glue (PVA recommended)
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife and blade
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Pencil
Sarah will supply colorful cardstock paper and shish kabob sticks.
November Meeting Reflections
The ever popular Book Blitz and Card Tricks meeting continued the long standing tradition of sharing clever ideas for the holidays. Showcased techniques included pop-ups, cutouts, accordions, origami stars, box folds, and a unique slider construction.
Amazingly, we packed it in to the usual two hours, but we could have gone on longer with so much sharing. A hearty thanks goes out to all those who attended and participated. Start planning for next year’s meeting!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Congratulations to Judy Sgantas for winning the Gallery Choice Award in 23 Sandy Gallery‘s POP-UP NOW II exhibit! Judy’s book Uri Mwita Mama was inspired by her work with youth in Rwanda going through heart surgery. The book uses Hedi Kyle’s Fishbone Binding.
*** For those of you participating in the Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s first book swap, you’ve got just one week left to complete your book!
Just to remind you – for the first swap, you’re creating a blank book that incorporates recycled materials.
Bring your completed book to the December meeting and we’ll get to swapping! If you can’t make it to the December meeting – you can always mail your book ahead of the meeting. Contact Elissa to give her a heads-up.
We can’t wait to see the final books!
*** The Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s annual membership begins January 2017!
The primary mission of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont is to act as both an educational and creative resource in the field of book arts. Our monthly meetings are $5.00 an evening or free with a $35.00 annual membership. Your membership supports the mission of the Book Arts Guild, pays for our rented space, provides opportunities to exhibit and supports honorariums to presenters.
In addition to the benefits you receive (outlined in the sidebar of this newsletter), your paid membership also enables us to cover expenses such our website and email newsletter – key tools for keeping our book arts community in touch and informed. A special membership benefit this year is that you don’t have to pay to submit work to our annual, non-juried book arts exhibition. You’ll also receive a personal thank you from Ann Joppe-Mercure (priceless).
If you have a skill, a passion, a favorite technique or a body of work that others would love to learn about, and then take the leap and volunteer to share it with us as a presenter. If you present at a B.A.G. meeting, you receive free membership for the year. Think about it – we know you have something to share!
If you would like to become a supporting B.A.G. member, click here to download our membership form.
Book Arts News
*** The Sketchbook Project is looking for people to participate in their annual collaborative art endeavor. The concept is simple – you request a blank book and then fill it with your artwork.
You can select from a number of themes, including the following:
- Distance From Origin
- Arms and Legs
- Repeat Pattern
- Heading East
- Clasp my Hands
- Long Stories, Short
Once your book is filled, you send it back and it becomes part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Visitors to the library can view sketchbooks contributed by artists from around the world.
The cost is $28.00 to receive a sketchbook and participate in the project. The postmark deadline for The Sketchbook Project 2017 is February 15, 2017. For more information, please visit their website.
*** The Wells College Book Arts Center has announced its classes for the Book Arts Summer Institute in July 2017. The week-long intensive courses include letterpress printing, bookbinding, calligraphy, typecasting, and font design.
Instructors include Samuel Feinstein, Barb Tetenbaum, Sara Sauers, and April Sheridan.
For more information, please visit the Wells College website.
*** The Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation, has announced its lineup of instructors for 2017:
PBI will take place from May 14 – 25, 2017 at Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, MI. The general application period begins on January 1, 2017. Applications for scholarships are being accepted now through December 30, 2016.
For more information, please visit the PBI website.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding an open studio on December 10 & 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will be marbling and bookbinding demonstrations, along with an end-of-year overstock and seconds sale.
The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA. For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
Book Arts Classes
*** The Eliot School is offering Magic Books & Paper Toys with Annie Silverman on December 17, 2016.
Using innovative forms from Esther Smith of Purgatory Pie Press, make paper objects like: the Swiss Cross Flexagon, the Snake or Tumble book, the Rolling Ball book, Jacob’s Ladder Flexagon and more. Part book, part toy, these objects make great gifts, invitations or cards.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
*** On Mondays from January 30 to February 3, 2017 the North Bennet Street School is offering Fundamentals of Bookbinding I with Erin Fletcher.
Students learn the foundations of bookbinding through hands-on experience and discussion of both adhesive and non-adhesive books. Learn structural elements, sewing variations, covering and cutting techniques using various materials, in addition to proper use of tools and equipment. Discussions throughout the course cover terminology, materials selection, and use. Structures covered include coptic, long stitch, and flat back bindings.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Nov 3, 2016 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 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: Card Tricks and Book Blitz: Mini Workshops in Cool Techniques
Join us for our always-popular annual November tradition: Member-led mini hands-on workshops in the form of a card or mini-book exchange that we call Book Blitz and Card Tricks. Get prepared now and join the fun!
Design a card or small/simple book structure that has a trick or two; maybe a pop-up, French doors or a window. Bring your completed card or mini-book, along with materials for six undecorated cards or mini-book structures to share. We will have an exchange and then engage in some decorating fun.
Please feel free to join in the fun even if you don’t have time to prepare cards or mini-books to bring. We do a similar program every November and there is always more than enough to go around. As in years past, expect to go home with some great new ideas, several new tricks up your sleeve, and a few new cards for the season.
- Things to bring:
- A decorated card/mini-book with a “trick” (optional)
- 6 card structures of your card/mini-book “trick” to exchange (optional)
- Glue
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Bone folder
- Awl or needle tool
- Decorative punches
- Stamps and ink pads
- Pens, pencils, markers
- Decorative papers
- Fun stuff!
October Meeting Reflections
Elissa Campbell once again delighted us with the opportunity to learn a new three-section sewing pattern while crafting a beautiful little journal with leather covers and a sturdy strap closure.
Using a sewing method from Keith Smith‘s book, 1-, 2- and 3-Section Sewings: Non-Adhesive Binding Volume II, Elissa led us through the process of creating templates, punching patterns and attaching signatures to produce a stylish little book with a decorative, sewn design on the spine. As icing on the cake, she taught us how to fashion one of the many elegant leather strap closures that grace her own finely crafted books.
An exciting note to anyone who missed this wonderful presentation, or would like to delve deeper into the world of leather mini-journals: Elissa will be teaching a Mini Leather Journal Workshop at the Focus on Book Arts conference in 2017!
Thanks to all who attended, and extra special thanks to Elissa for her patience, preparation, and presentation skills.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** On September 17, 2016, the Book Arts Guild of Vermont proudly participated in the 2016 Burlington Book Festival at UVM’s Davis Center.
The annual event, which traditionally celebrates the book with readings, book signings, panels, and other activities, provided a wonderful venue for exhibiting works from our members and introducing the community to an expanded idea of what a book can be. Judging from the interest and excitement our exhibit generated, we certainly succeeded in our mission to increase awareness of book arts and our guild.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed work to display, to the volunteers who helped with set-up and took shifts at the exhibit, to Burlington Book Festival Founding Director Rick Kisonak for both inviting us and enthusiastically promoting our presence, and to B.A.G. member Nina Gaby for connecting us with the festival and encouraging us to participate!
You can view images from the festival on the B.A.G. blog.
Book Arts News
*** On November 10th, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is presenting the gallery talk Beyond Words with Valentine Talland, Senior Objects Conservator at the museum. The talk is being held in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit Beyond Words: Italian Renaissance Books, open now through January 16, 2017.
The exhibition visits the studies of scholars, princely libraries, places of worship, and printing presses of Renaissance Italy to explore how the ancestor of the modern book was perfected around 1500, thanks to innovations of the previous century. These developments arose from the efforts of Italian humanists, scholars who found inspiration in ancient Rome to create a new book for a brighter future.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is located at 25 Evans Way in Boston, MA.
Admission to the talk is limited to 15 registrants. Click here to register.
*** On November 11th from 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m., the Special Collections Department of the Bailey/Howe Library at UVM will be hosting a show and tell session with Vamp & Tramp Booksellers. Vamp & Tramp, which is based in Birmingham, AL, represents over 400 makers of contemporary fine press and artists’ books.
Come by for this rare chance to look at and handle the best of today’s melding of art and books. NO GLOVES ALLOWED.
The event is free and open to the public. UVM Special Collections is located in Burlington VT. Click here to download a pdf of the directions.
*** On December 2-3, the second annual Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair will take place at the Smith College Campus Center in Northampton, MA.
The event includes exhibits, sales, book signings, demonstrations, lectures and features the leading antiquarian booksellers from the region and book artists, letter press printers, book binders, paper makers, wood engravers, stone cutters, and book designers.
The keynote speaker is Ruth R. Rogers, curator of Special Collections in the Wellesley College Library where she develops the collection and lectures on the evolution of the book as material culture, visual communication, and artistic form. Her talk, Layers of Perception: The Unwritten Language of Artists’ Books, will focus on how we “read” artists’ books by deconstructing them to understand how they affect our perception.
For more information, please visit the event website.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding an open studio on December 10 & 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will be marbling and bookbinding demonstrations, along with an end-of-year overstock and seconds sale.
The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA. For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
Book Arts Classes
*** On November 12th, the New City Galerie in Burlington is hosting an Upcycle Journal Workshop with Susan Smereka. Susan is currently working as an artist in residence at the gallery.
This workshop begins with disassembling an old hardcover book while learning the intricacies of how books are put together. Then you will rebuild the signatures with pages of the original book, pages from other books and blank journal pages. With waxed linen thread you will be guided through a step-by-step process of binding your new journal together.
No experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided. Beverages and a vegetarian lunch are included. Please register by November 8.
For more information or to register, please contact Susan.
*** On December 3-4, the North Bennet Street School is offering Enclosures for Preservation and Beyond with Bill Hanscom.
Boxes, wrappers, and slipcases are widely used to house and protect library and archival collections, but they also offer terrific opportunities for artistic exploration. Beyond the protective housing of original works such as books or print portfolios, enclosures can be altered and embellished to complement, enhance, and conspire with their contents. Over the course of this workshop students work to create a reference set of enclosures which neatly nest together.
Students are responsible for bringing the following tools: 12 x 18″ self-healing cutting mat, drafting triangle, and a pencil.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** The Eliot School is offering Magic Books & Paper Toys with Annie Silverman on December 17, 2016.
Using innovative forms from Esther Smith of Purgatory Pie Press, make paper objects like: the Swiss Cross Flexagon, the Snake or Tumble book, the Rolling Ball book, Jacob’s Ladder Flexagon and more. Part book, part toy, these objects make great gifts, invitations or cards.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
by Elissa | Jun 4, 2014 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 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: Tunnel Books with Ann Joppe-Mercure
Ann will present a hands-on workshop on tunnel books and tunnel book construction. She will share a brief history of tunnel books, construction models, artist examples and student work. Participants will then construct their own tunnel book models. Tag board for side accordions and layers will be provided.
Please bring:
- bone folder
- glue
- scissors
- pencil
- ruler
- old magazines
- art papers
- and any other materials that inspire you
May Meeting Reflections
The opening reception for the Book Arts Guild of Vermont show, Nature: Beasts and Botanicals, was a very exciting and successful evening. Artists shared stories and backgrounds of their pieces, which showed a remarkable variety of techniques, materials, and inspirations.
True to the mission of our group, the show introduced book arts to new friends and admirers, and surprised all with the remarkable work. Congratulations, all contributors! It’s a great show.
Also on view in the gallery is work by several other artists, including gallery owner Rae Harrell, her husband and mother, and sculptor Kevin Donegan.
The show is open through June 16. Check with the gallery for hours.
You can view images from the opening on the B.A.G. blog.
You can also see the pieces in the exhibit on the B.A.G. blog.
Book Arts News
*** ArtisTree Gallery is looking for submissions for their upcoming exhibit, Unbound Vol IV. The broad theme of UNBOUND: VOL IV encompasses all of the possibilities of what we may think or may not think a “book” is.
Is it story? An entry to another world? An exploration? What does it indicate? This juried show looks to explore these ideas of “the book” and all the ways artists use its format as a stepping off point or as a material to explore new ideas.
This call for submission is open to all New England and New York residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. All artwork must be original in concept, design and execution. Submissions must be postmarked by mail or Emailed by June 14, 2014. For more information, please visit the ArtisTree Gallery’s website.
*** On June 14, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., there will be a gallery tour for Guild of Book Workers members of an exhibition celebrating some of the most beautiful and important rare books and manuscripts acquired by the Boston Athenæum since 2000. The exhibition, Collecting for the Boston Athenæum in the 21st Century: Rare Books and Manuscripts, features fine printing, design bindings and artists’ books.
There will be a tour of the library’s National Historic Landmark building dating from 1849, including a tour of the Conservation Laboratory with Chief Conservator Dawn Walus.
For more information on the exhibition, please visit the Boston Athenæum website.
Book Arts Classes
*** Bill Hanscom will be offering an Album Structures workshop on July 12, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Boston.
Albums provide a way to organize and protect collections of all kinds such as photographs and archival materials. In this workshop we will explore the construction and mechanics of a variety of album structures from the traditional to the intriguingly unconventional. Each provides a different approach to the album, as well as exciting opportunities for experimentation with embellishment with a wide variety of media, even becoming art objects on their own.
Structures will include: a Simple Board Book Album, The Storage Book, Pocket Album, Spider Book, Multi-leaf Accordion, and Accordion Album.
For more information or to register, please send an Email to gslisce@simmons.edu or call (617) 521-2803. The workshop will be held at 300 The Fenway.
*** Regina and Daniel St. John of Chena River Marblers are teaching Paper Marbling and Simple Bookbinding on June 15 – 21, 2014 at Snow Farm in Williamsburg, MA.
Journey into the magic world of marbling and learn to make exquisite traditional, contemporary, and innovative marbled papers. After the papers are completed, learn simple bookbinding techniques to transform some of your papers into beautiful notepads and journals.
For more information or to register, please visit the Snow Farm website.
*** On July 19 – 20, the North Bennet Street School is offering Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding with Bill Hanscom in Boston.
Bookbinding in Ethiopia is arguably one of the oldest continuously-practiced material traditions in the world. Despite its steady decline during the last century, little has changed in the production of an Ethiopian bound manuscript for more than 1400 years.
This two-day workshop begins with a presentation detailing the traditional methods and materials of the Ethiopian scribe and bookbinder, shedding light on many aspects of this often misunderstood craft.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
