by Elissa | Nov 7, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 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.
Program: Book Blitz and Card Tricks
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
October Meeting Reflections
Oh how I love the Special Collections visit. It is my favorite meeting of the year, and this year did not disappoint. It feels so grand to be entertained by Prudence Doherty in that lovely space, and to be able to touch and devour the works she has chosen.
First off, we were served a table full of books that had elements of stitching, including some wonderful books full of quilting references and patterns. My favorite, though was the collection of poems, A Strawberry in the Snow. It checked all my boxes – letterpress, linocuts, stitching, cloth binding, beautifully engineered.
The second table setting featured the work of Ellen Dorn Levitt. In this case, the work was presented in boxes that housed her teaching materials, notes, samples, instructions, and some student work. I found it absolutely fascinating to see the organization and detail that she shared with her students. She was obviously adored by them.
All in all, another inspiring evening. Thanks to everyone who attended, and special thanks to Prudence for her time and her compelling narrative.
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 in some manner.
- 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!
*** Since B.A.G. members have expressed interest in purchasing Nancy Stone’s recently published book, 251 Vermont Vistas, she will bring copies to the November and December meetings.
Originally begun as a book arts project, Nancy painted watercolor ‘postcards’ for every Vermont town that she and her husband visited as members of the VT251 Club. A preview of some pages, with written reflections of towns, can be seen at www.nancystone.weebly.com. With sales tax, the book costs $37.44; cash or checks accepted.
These make unique holiday gifts, capturing the beauty of Vermont’s scenery in all weather and seasons.
*** Carolyn Shattuck will be showing her work at the Boston Art Book Fair from November 8 – 10, 2019.
As one of the largest art book fairs on the East Coast, this curated event will feature over 130 exhibitors, artists and publishers.
With art installations, DJs, workshops, panels, and a chance to mingle with truly innovative artists and creatives of our generation, this year’s fair invites audiences of all ages to engage in an art-filled weekend to expand their ideas about print.
The event is produced by the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) and Bodega and will be held in BCA’s historic Cyclorama.
For more information, please visit the event website.
Book Arts News
*** Prudence Doherty notified us that the Artists’ Book Showcase with Vamp and Tramp Booksellers at UVM Special Collections on November 7th has been canceled.
*** You may be interested in the formation of a new group called New England Book Artists. They plan to meet once a month at the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. The first meeting was held on November 1st and included a discussion of the direction on which the group should initially focus.
For more information or questions, please email Marie Canaves at nebookartists@outlook.com.
*** The conservation treatment of Dante’s 1477 La Commedia will be detailed in an upcoming lecture with independent book conservator Jeffrey S. Peachey. The lecture will be held on November 19 at Schlesinger Library at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.
An examination of the remains of earlier binding structures, and decisions that lead to its resewing and rebinding in an alum tawed goatskin conservation binding will be discussed. During the treatment, evidence was found suggesting that the Inferno and Purgatorio cantiche may have circulated separately at one point. Differences between historic 15th century binding practices and modern conservation binding techniques will be highlighted, as will the difficulties of achieving a sympathetic relationship between original and new binding materials.
Observations on the history, nature and idea of conservation rebinding will conclude the lecture, followed by an audience discussion. Conservators, bibliophiles, bookbinders, librarians, Italian scholars, and anyone curious about the physical structure of books will find this lecture of interest.
Book Arts Classes
*** The North Bennet Street School in Boston is offering Surface Gilding with James Reid-Cunningham on November 10th.
Surface gilding creates a luxurious effect on a binding, creating a book that glows. This workshop will focus on techniques for decorating leather, paper, parchment, papyrus with gold leaf over large areas, even over entire boards. Participants will experiment with varieties of glaire for adhering gold; the use of masks to create designs; polishing gold leaf; sealants, coatings and sizes to preserve the gold; and methods of seamless joining of sheets of gold leaf over large areas.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, November 24th, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Dos Equis Hand-Sewn Books with Cristina Hajosy.
Hand-bound books create unique formats for presenting photography, prints, and mixed media artworks. Learn techniques for both soft-bound and hard-bound versions of this flexible book structure. The name comes from the 2-needle stitching that crosses back and forth between the signatures or folded sections of the book interior. Decorative papers, book cloths and bead selections will be available in class.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website.
by Elissa | May 4, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 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: Exhibiting, Pricing and Photographing Your Work – You Are Worth It! with Marcia Volger
Exhibiting, pricing, and photographing your workIn anticipation of our upcoming shows, several B.A.G. members have raised the following questions:
- How do I price my work?
- How do I know if it’s good enough to exhibit?
- How should I photograph my work?
At May’s meeting, B.A.G. Exhibit Chair Marcia Vogler will share basic strategies she has developed for pricing her own work and will lead a discussion on the topic. She’ll also share tips for photographing your work.
In her own words:
I hear groans when people talk about pricing their work for a show. Why? It’s so simple! Let’s review the basic strategy, then get into the nitty gritty of the artist’s age old question: Is my work good enough? We will find the answer: You are worth it.
In addition, let’s discuss presenting your work through photographs. Many shows require photos for submissions, or for publicity. We’ll review some basic considerations and make a checklist for success.
If there is time after the discussion, we will shift into hands-on bookmaking mode. Bring one of the tunnel book model templates from the last meeting to work on, bring a project you are currently working on, or bring something you’ve been hoping to get creative collaboration on, and create in warm and convivial company!
Things to bring:
- A tunnel book model or project to work on
- Personal supplies and tools
April Meeting Reflections
Oh wow. So. Many. Ideas.
Members and friends really came through with exciting structures and innovative ways to execute them. While some of us shared work in progress, plenty of us shared models and instructions of different forms of tunnel books.
The meeting couldn’t have gone any faster; there was so much to see and learn. We even had a husband and wife team who showed how collaboration between the engineer and the artist can be transformative.
Thank you all for your participation, encouragement, and inspiration. And welcome and happy birthday to our new members!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 exhibits opening within the next month!
Your work never fails to amaze and impress us and we’re looking forward to seeing what new pieces you’ve cooked up.
Entry forms are available online for both of the exhibits (see below for details). Feel free to bring your work to the May B.A.G. meeting to avoid having to put it into the mail.
Here’s the scoop on the exhibits to refresh your memory:
Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont will be held at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here’s the description for the exhibit:
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:
- Entry deadline:May 9, 2018. Click here to download the entry form.
- Opening: May 22, 2018
- Opening Reception: Thursday, May 24, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
-
Closing: June 30, 2018
The Art of the Book will be held at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street from June 1 – June 30. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington. Since the theme of the show is wide open to interpretation, you are free to submit the work of your choice.
Important dates:
- Entry deadline: May 22, 2018. Click here to download the entry form.
- Opening: June 1, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Closing: June 30, 2018
We’re looking forward to seeing your submissions!
*** On May 26 & 27 (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:
Copies of the the 2018 Spring Event & Resource Guide will be available at the May B.A.G. meeting.
Elissa created a Google Map with all of the locations to help you with your tour. Maps and directions to studios will be available on the VT Crafts Council website in the next week or so.
Book Arts News
*** ArtisTree Gallery is accepting submissions for their 8th annual juried exhibit, UNBOUND: VOL VIII. The theme of the show is simple – an exploration of what a book can be…art using books as a material or a format. The exhibit will be presented in conjunction with the Bookstock Literary Festival in Woodstock, VT.
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 29, 2018. 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.
*** Artist Guylaine Couture is curating an exhibition and sale of Papertoys from October 27 to December 1st, 2018 at Arprim, centre d’essai en art imprimé in Montreal.
Papertoys are paper objects (or, as their name suggests, toys), often related to urban culture. They may represent diverse things such as characters, plants or modern artworks. They are often useless, but generate an emotional response that triggers the need to collect them.
Creating a Papertoy design is a great challenge for an artist. This type of creation is usually popular and widely circulated, as people enjoy the manual labour at the heart of assembling a Papertoy. The techniques used to create the toys include, without restrictions, laser or ink printing, silkscreen, risograph printing, etc. All pieces to be cut, folded and assembled, as well as the instructions, are printed on a few sheets of paper.
The proposal deadline is June 16th. Criteria for selection include creativity, originality and design, allowing an easy manipulation and assembly.
Requirements for submission:
- All parts of the Papertoy must be printed on paper, cardboard or any other material of 8.5″ x 11″ and be easy to cut, fold and assemble.
- Plan pages must include assembly instructions.
- The assembled Papertoy must not be bigger than 20 x 20 x 20 cm.
- Sale prices for the works must be under $100.00. Artists will receive 60% of the profits from sales.
The registration form is available online. Once completed, please send your proposal to Guylaine Couture at gycouture@gmail.com.
*** Editions Studio in Seattle recently hosted its first Business of Book Arts webinar focusing defining your product, your target market, and your style.
You can access the webinar on YouTube. The next webinar in this quarterly series will air in July.
Editions Studio is also the facilitator of the Are You Book Enough challenge on Instagram.
Book Arts Classes
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering Pop-Ups for Miniature Books with Shawn Sheehy from August 12 to 18, 2018.
By definition, a miniature book cannot be more than three inches in length, width, or depth. Working within this small format, students will learn how to bring drama and excitement to their pop-up book by inserting impossibly large images into a small package. Students will use cardstock and simple hand tools to build and bind, using a pop-up specific technique, a variety of structures that move above, beyond, and behind the page. Students will have time to experiment with their own ideas and recieve engineering advice from the instructor.
No experience is necessary, but previous experience in fiber arts and/or paper craft will speed your progress. This content readily accommodates beginners and advanced makers alike. You will leave the class with a completed popup book and a good understanding of the basics of popup engineering. Once you’ve tackled the skills in small format, you’ll be able to scale up for future projects!
For more information or to register, please visit the Maine Media website.
*** From June 11 – 15, the North Bennet Street School is offering Miniature Bookbindings with James Reid-Cunningham.
Miniature books present difficult design and structural challenges to the bookbinder. A true miniature is less than three inches tall, and during this course, the student will construct three books of diminishing size: a long stitch binding with decorated boards, a lapped component binding, and an accordion in a wrapper with a tongue and slot enclosure.
The course will contrast the utility of case binding, accordion, and non-adhesive structures for miniature books, with a concentration on flexibility and book action. We will analyze materials and techniques suitable for small format books. The limitations inherent in small-scale books will challenge students to do precisely executed and finely detailed work.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** The North Bennet Street School is also offering Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding with Bill Hanscom on June 16 & 17. This two-day workshop will begin with a presentation detailing the traditional methods and materials of the Ethiopian scribe and bookbinder. Students will then construct two historical models.
The first model will be a basic binding with bare wooden boards demonstrating the fundamentals of the unsupported link stitch, board attachment and repair, and the construction of a l?bas (a protective cloth over-cover). The second will be a full leather binding with inlays of patterned cloth and traditional endbands of interwoven leather strips.
Basic tooling techniques as well as common designs and motifs will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will be given the opportunity to decorate their bindings as time allows.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Apr 7, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 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: Digging Deeper: A Hands-On Exploration of Tunnel Book Structures
Join us as we plumb the depths of tunnel book structures in a member-led mini workshop format similar to our ever-popular November program, Card Tricks and Book Blitz.
Bring a tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure you’ve put together, along with materials that will allow approximately six people to make a model of your structure. If you can, bring written instructions for making the model – strictly optional and extra credit, but always appreciated!
Each person who brings a book or model will have some time to share and explain what they’ve made to the group, then we’ll spend time individually exploring and creating the structures.
Please feel free to join in the fun even if you don’t have time to prepare a model tunnel book or materials. We use a similar meeting format every November and there is always enough to go around.
Warning: Tunnel book structures are addictive, and B.A.G. cannot be held responsible for other projects that may not get done once you discover the many techniques available for making these magical books!
Things to bring:
- A tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure (optional)
- Materials for 6 people to make a model of your structure (optional)
- Plain card stock for making models of structures (in case you need more materials to make models of the structures that interest you)
- Glue
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Bone folder
- Awl or needle tool
The focus of our April meeting will be presenting content in a tunnel book format. However, if you are more interested in exploring one or two structures more thoroughly (rather than making several models) during the March meeting, you can bring in the following optional materials to experiment with adding visual content to those structures:
- Decorative punches
- Stamps and ink
- Pens, pencils, markers
- Decorative papers
- Collage materials such as magazine images
B.A.G. News
*** Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 exhibit entry forms now available!
B.A.G.’s two (!) exhibits are right around the corner. Your work never fails to amaze and impress us and we’re looking forward to seeing what new pieces you’ve cooked up.
Here’s the scoop on the exhibits to refresh your memory:
Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont will be held at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here’s the description for the exhibit:
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:
- Entry deadline: May 9, 2018. Click here to download the entry form.
- Opening: May 22, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
The Art of the Book will be held at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street from June 1 – June 30. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington. Since the theme of the show is wide open to interpretation, you are free to submit the work of your choice.
Important dates:
- Entry deadline: May 22, 2018. Click here to download the entry form.
- Opening: June 1, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
We’re looking forward to seeing your submissions!
Book Arts News
*** The University of Southern Maine‘s 6th annual Book Arts Bazaar will be held on Sunday, April 8th 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.
Also at USM is the exhibition Borderland: Contemporary Icelandic Book Artists and Bookbinders, open now through April 30th at the UNUM Great Reading Room, 7th floor, Glickman Family Library.
Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rebecca Goodale.
*** The Museum of Printing in Haverill, MA is having a letterpress sale on April 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Among the goodies for sale:
- Tabletop presses: 5×8 Victor, 5×8 Curtis & Mitchell, 4×6 Young America
- A large selection of borders & ornaments, newly packaged in handy boxes
- Type cabinets, wood and steel, complete with drawers
- Lots and lots of type
- Furniture and reglet cabinets
- Slug cutters, book staplers, quoins with lock-up keys, a Southworth Perforator, and lots of other good stuff.
The Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the graphic arts, printing and typesetting technology, and printing craftsmanship.
*** The Darmouth Book Arts Workshop is hosting the 2018 Stephen Harvard Memorial Lecture, In Defense of the Roman Letter, on Thursday April 19th, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and a reception will follow.
The talk will be given by John Nash, a calligrapher, stone lettercarver, and a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators. The Roman letter survived because it did its job supremely well. Its precarious endurance as the basis of Western writing and printing will be the subject of Nash’s talk.
The lecture is being held in conjunction with the exhibit, Will Carter and the Dartmouth Typeface. In the early 1960s, Carter was commissioned to carve a series of dedicatory inscriptions in teak panels for the newly built Hopkins Center. Those letters were adapted and expanded into a family of type fonts that became known as the Dartmouth typeface. He was invited to return to Dartmouth in 1969 as an artist-in-residence and further refined the capital letters as a titling font.
The exhibition is the chonology of events and the story of the people behind those events and is open now through June 1st in the Main Hall of Dartmouth’s Baker Library.
For more information, please contact Book Arts Workshop Letterpress Instructor Won K. Chung at won.k.chung@dartmouth.edu.
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is looking for volunteers to help teach simple bookbinding techniques and creative content. Through this event, NEGBW volunteers will be helping Cadette scouts (age 11-14) to earn a Book Artist badge and potentially inspiring future bookbinders.
The event will be held on Sunday April 29, 2018 at Camp Maude Eaton in Andover, MA. There will be two sessions, one from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please direct them at Lauren Telepak at negbwprograms@gmail.com.
Book Arts Classes
*** On Saturday, April 28th, the Kate Cheney Chappell 83 Center for Book Arts is hosting a workshop with Erin Fletcher of Herringbone Bindery, Secret Belgian Binding – Two Ways. The workshop will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Wishcamper Center at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
This workshop will explore the Secret Belgian binding (also known as Criss Cross binding) and ways to modify it. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for smaller text blocks. Students will complete two versions of the structure; one bound in the traditional sense and the second will offer a bit more secrecy and refinement to the structure.
Registration is available online or alternatively, you can call (207) 780-5900.
*** The Eliot School is offering Art Towards Kindness with Elisa Hamilton on Sunday, May 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We each hold the tremendous capacity to create positive change within our communities and in our world. Sometimes that cycle of positivity can begin with the smallest offering. Create a series of meaningful art objects that you can use to ignite kindness in your own life and in the lives of others.
Make a variety of handmade paper objects with paper-craft and fine art techniques, including paper bunting utilizing handmade stencils, accordion thank you notes utilizing wax resist mixed-media drawing, handmade wrapping paper utilizing custom-made stamps and hand-constructed boxes utilizing ink drawing. These simple art-making techniques can hold tremendous impact when given to others, especially as an unexpected gesture of kindness.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
*** From June 11 – 15, the North Bennet Street School is offering Miniature Bookbindings with James Reid-Cunningham.
Miniature books present difficult design and structural challenges to the bookbinder. A true miniature is less than three inches tall, and during this course, the student will construct three books of diminishing size: a long stitch binding with decorated boards, a lapped component binding, and an accordion in a wrapper with a tongue and slot enclosure.
The course will contrast the utility of case binding, accordion, and non-adhesive structures for miniature books, with a concentration on flexibility and book action. We will analyze materials and techniques suitable for small format books. The limitations inherent in small-scale books will challenge students to do precisely executed and finely detailed work.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** The North Bennet Street School is also offering Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding with Bill Hanscom on June 16 & 17. This two-day workshop will begin with a presentation detailing the traditional methods and materials of the Ethiopian scribe and bookbinder. Students will then construct two historical models.
The first model will be a basic binding with bare wooden boards demonstrating the fundamentals of the unsupported link stitch, board attachment and repair, and the construction of a l?bas (a protective cloth over-cover). The second will be a full leather binding with inlays of patterned cloth and traditional endbands of interwoven leather strips.
Basic tooling techniques as well as common designs and motifs will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will be given the opportunity to decorate their bindings as time allows.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Mar 8, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 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: Digging Deeper: A Hands-On Exploration of Tunnel Book Structures
Join us as we plumb the depths of tunnel book structures in a member-led mini workshop format similar to our ever-popular November program, Card Tricks and Book Blitz.
Bring a tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure you’ve put together, along with materials that will allow approximately six people to make a model of your structure. If you can, bring written instructions for making the model – strictly optional and extra credit, but always appreciated!
Each person who brings a book or model will have some time to share and explain what they’ve made to the group, then we’ll spend time individually exploring and creating the structures.
Please feel free to join in the fun even if you don’t have time to prepare a model tunnel book or materials. We use a similar meeting format every November and there is always enough to go around.
Warning: Tunnel book structures are addictive, and B.A.G. cannot be held responsible for other projects that may not get done once you discover the many techniques available for making these magical books!
Things to bring:
- A tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure (optional)
- Materials for 6 people to make a model of your structure (optional)
- Plain card stock for making models of structures (in case you need more materials to make models of the structures that interest you)
- Glue
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Bone folder
- Awl or needle tool
The focus of our April meeting will be presenting content in a tunnel book format. However, if you are more interested in exploring one or two structures more thoroughly (rather than making several models) during the March meeting, you can bring in the following optional materials to experiment with adding visual content to those structures:
- Decorative punches
- Stamps and ink
- Pens, pencils, markers
- Decorative papers
- Collage materials such as magazine images
February Meeting Reflections
Perhaps it was Jill’s enticing program description, Mining for Gold – Exploring Tunnel Books, that brought so many people out to the January meeting!
After an inspiring slide show of tunnel books from the web (thanks, Ann!), many makers shared their tunnel creations. While the variety of style and subject seemed broad, the overall concept of how image and construction form the tunnel was clear.
It’s always amazing to hear members talk about their work, and to realize what a talented bunch we are. Thanks to everyone who came, participated, and enjoyed.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** 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.
The show will be called The Art of the Book, which leaves it wide open to interpretation.
Important dates:
- Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 22, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.
- Opening: June 1, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
B.A.G. Member News
*** B.A.G. member Jane Ploughman is teaching two classes in March:
Collage and Simple Bookmaking
In this workshop, you will make 3 or more books using simple techniques. You will also have time to fill the pages of your books with words, images, color, and all manner of collage material provided!
This workshop is for ages 18+ and all materials will be provided. Jane will be co-teaching these workshops with Lily Hinrichsen.
The workshop is being taught twice, so you can attend either on March 23rd or March 24th. The workshops are being held at ARTSight in Bristol from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and cost $70.00 (or $60.00 if you’ve taken our workshops before).
For more information, contact Lily at lilyhinrichsen@gmail.com.
Handmade Books: Simply Sewn
Learn how to sew beautiful single and multiple-signature book bindings. Learn about some of the tools and techniques and how to make informed material choices. The workshop’s focus will be on form and structure. Students will leave with three different sewn softcover bindings. Some bookbinding experience is helpful but not necessary.
The workshop is taking place at the Middlebury Studio School on Saturday, March 31st from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.The cost is $55.00, which includes all materials and handouts.
For more information or to register, contact Barb Nelson at (802) 247-3702 or ewaldewald@aol.com.
*** B.A.G. member Elissa Campbell is teaching the Crossed Structure Binding at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on March 24th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Crossed Structure Binding is intriguing in that the sewing is done directly onto back cover straps that integrate into the front cover. This non-adhesive variation on the long stitch was developed by book artist Carmencho Arregui after studying pre-16th century bindings.
In this workshop, you will work on two variations of this binding, one using paper covers and the other using leather. As time allows, you’ll add stitching to the covers to both reinforce the structure and add a decorative touch. You’ll also learn how to create and use an improvised sewing frame.
To register, contact SPA via phone at (802) 479-7069 or email.
Book Arts News
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is looking for volunteers to help teach simple bookbinding techniques and creative content. Through this event, NEGBW volunteers will be helping Cadette scouts (age 11-14) to earn a Book Artist badge and potentially inspiring future bookbinders.
The event will be held on Sunday April 29, 2018 at Camp Maude Eaton in Andover, MA. There will be two sessions, one from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please direct them at Lauren Telepak at negbwprograms@gmail.com.
*** From February 17 – July 8, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition Keith Smith at Home. This is a rare opportunity to view the creative work of the well-known author of such a beloved series of bookbinding manuals.
Friendship, love, desire: Keith Smith’s life is an open book. For five decades, the Rochester-based artist has used surprising combinations of materials to chronicle his experiences. In this exhibition, explore an array of Smith’s mixed-media photographs and prints, and – his specialty – handmade artist’s books, most from his own collection.
In his work, Keith Smith irreverently disregards the supposed dividing lines between “fine art” (photography, etching, watercolor), “craft” (sewing, quilting, bookmaking), and “utilitarian technologies” (transparencies, photocopies). Although his subject matter is rooted in his personal life, he also grapples with universal themes such as self-representation, domesticity, and intimacy.
For more information, please visit the PMA’s website.
Book Arts Classes
*** On Saturday, April 28th, the Kate Cheney Chappell 83 Center for Book Arts is hosting a workshop with Erin Fletcher of Herringbone Bindery, Secret Belgian Binding – Two Ways. The workshop will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Wishcamper Center at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
This workshop will explore the Secret Belgian binding (also known as Criss Cross binding) and ways to modify it. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for smaller text blocks. Students will complete two versions of the structure; one bound in the traditional sense and the second will offer a bit more secrecy and refinement to the structure.
Registration is available online or alternatively, you can call (207) 780-5900.
*** From June 11 – 15, the North Bennet Street School is offering Miniature Bookbindings with James Reid-Cunningham.
Miniature books present difficult design and structural challenges to the bookbinder. A true miniature is less than three inches tall, and during this course, the student will construct three books of diminishing size: a long stitch binding with decorated boards, a lapped component binding, and an accordion in a wrapper with a tongue and slot enclosure.
The course will contrast the utility of case binding, accordion, and non-adhesive structures for miniature books, with a concentration on flexibility and book action. We will analyze materials and techniques suitable for small format books. The limitations inherent in small-scale books will challenge students to do precisely executed and finely detailed work.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** Registration for Wells College Book Arts Center‘s Book Arts Summer Institute is now open. The week-long intensive courses include letterpress printing, bookbinding, calligraphy, typecasting, and font design. Week 1 runs from July 15 – 21 and Week 2 runs from July 22 – 28.
This year’s instructors include Jenna Rodriguez, Aimee Lee, and Scott McCarney. Wells College is located in Aurora, NY.
For more information, please visit the Wells College website. Ann will also have postcards from the Summer Institute available at the February meeting.
by Elissa | Nov 2, 2017 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 8, 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: Book Blitz and Card Tricks – Member-led Mini Workshops
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
Our yearly visit to UVM Special Collections is a highly anticipated meeting, and this year did not disappoint! Prudence Doherty, Special Collections Librarian, chose books related to the theme of race and freedom, issues that are so important in the current political climate. I was struck by the power of the works as well as their visual presence. The books engaged the viewer to interact with the message as well as the structure.
Prudence also talked about how the library staff chooses books to purchase for the collection, what they look for, and whether the work fits in the collection or fills a void. And last, she gave us a look at a variety of tunnel books to satisfy our book artists’ need to examine structure and construction.
Thanks to Prudence for giving us a powerful experience once again, and thanks to all who participated.
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!
*** Join us at the Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair!
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont will be participating in the 3rd annual Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair this December. We’ll have an exhibitor booth where we’ll be displaying and selling members’ work alongside other book artists, papermakers, paper marblers, and fine letterpress publishers. The fair is being held at the Smith College Campus Center (100 Elm Street/Route 9) in Northampton, MA.
We’re looking for B.A.G. member work for our display – it doesn’t have to be for sale. If you’re interested, please bring your work to the November meeting so that we’ll have more time to plan the layout of our booth. Please note that depending on how much work we have, we can’t guarantee that all pieces will be displayed – we’ll do our best to include as much as we can.
We’re also looking for volunteers to represent B.A.G. and sell work during the fair. The fair hours are Saturday December 2nd from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. With enough people, we can break the time down into shifts.
If you would like to participate, please complete this survey. You can also sign up at our November meeting. There will be an opportunity to carpool and to stay at an Airbnb for Friday and/or Saturday night.
If you have any questions, please contact either Marcia Vogler at marciavogler@gmavt.net or Dorsey Hogg at dorseyhogg@gmail.com.
*** If you missed the visit to the Book Arts Workshop at Dartmouth College a few months ago, here’s your second chance. Debra Kraemer has kindly set up another visit for the BAG members for November 18, 2017. More details to come, so save the date!
We will be visiting Rauner Special Collections Library to see a selection of handmade books from their and the Sherman Art Library collections.
Book Arts News
*** On November 14th, the North Bennet Street School is hosting a lecture with James Reid-Cunningham, Artistic Vision in Contemporary Bookbinding. A reception will be held at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:00 p.m.
Traditional bookbinding decoration was transformed during the 20th century by the incorporation of modern art styles. The resulting “design bindings” are an evocative and complex balance of craft and imagination. This presentation surveys the history of binding decoration and innovation in 21st century bookbinding.
The lecture is free and open to the public, but they would appreciate it if you RSVP to attend.
The North Bennet Street School is located in Boston, MA.
*** At 4:00 p.m. on November 17th, the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is presenting Tackets, Overbands, Lacings and Buckles: a lecture by Katherine Beaty on early Italian stationery bindings of Harvard’s Baker Library. This lecture is free and open to the public.
The Harvard Business School Baker Library houses the largest collection of early Italian business records outside of Italy. It includes 150 account books and day books of the Medici Family, 81 volumes from the Barberini Family, and many more. Presenter Katherine Beaty will talk about the use and structure of early Italian stationery bindings that were observed during recent conservation projects of the Medici and Barberini collections. These unique limp vellum bindings include unusual structural features, such as overbands, decorative alum-tawed lacings, spine and endband tackets, and different fastenings types, including ties, loop and toggle, and buckles.
The lecture will be held at the Harvard Weissman Preservation Center Library at 90 Mt. Auburn Street in Cambridge, MA.
*** 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.
*** To celebrate the Heroic Works exhibit, the North Bennet Street School will host presentations by two Designer Bookbinders Fellows on November 3rd.
- At 9:30 a.m., Sue Doggett will offer an informal, illustrated presentation about her approach to design binding, including a look at a recent commission binding of Lac de Pleurs. This presentation will include samples, a discussion of design, and plenty of Q&As.
- At 12:00 p.m., Lester Capon will present an illustrated lecture entitled Extreme Bookbinding. This talk about the ongoing work preserving the Garima Gospels, a 6th century manuscript and the earliest known book in Ethiopia, will also include a description of work done on two 15th century vellum fans, all undertaken in the rock hewn churches of Northern Ethiopia. Lester will discuss the environment and unusual working conditions encountered.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating for the lecture is limited, so please RSVP here.
*** November is offering two book-related events in the Boston area.
For more information, please visit the event websites.
Book Arts Classes
*** The Eliot School is offering Paste Paper with Cristina Hajosy on Sunday, November 12th 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. You may go on to use the papers you create in other of our book arts workshops.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
*** On December 2nd, the North Bennet Street School is offering Travel Journals with Amy Lapidow.
Books that fit in your pocket! Add a pen loop, picture or pocket for memorabilia. Make it waterproof with Tyvek. Tie it up with beads and buttons, or close it with a magnet. This one day workshop explores the possibilities of a versatile book that goes wherever you go.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
