by Elissa | Jan 3, 2020 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 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.
Welcome to According to Accordions!
Often underestimated, the accordion book has more to it than meets the eye. This structure provides endless possibilities for construction, and multiple options for display and presentation. Starting with our January meeting, we will begin a multi-meeting exploration of the accordion book structure.
Prepare to be inspired by the versatility and potential of accordions!
Program: According to Accordions, Part 1 – Simple Accordions with Dorsey Hogg
In this month’s meeting Dorsey Hogg will lead us in making a simple accordion book. We’ll begin with the basics of the folded structure, and move on to more elaborate variations in the following meetings.
As an introduction, we’d like to invite you to bring books you’ve made with an accordion structure for a show and tell.
All materials will be provided, but please bring the following:
- Cutting mat
- X-acto knife
- Scissors
- Pencils or pens if you wish to work on the pages
- Glue stick
December Meeting Reflections
December’s meeting was full.
Full of fun, giving, selling and time for socializing. Everyone brought a wrapped handmade ornament and we had a gift exchange, followed by a lively sharing. As each ornament was presented “oohs” and “ahs” followed.
Then the meeting was opened up with members putting out goods to sell and a treasure table full of items free for the taking. We all left with new goodies and the warm feeling of fellowship with friends we admire.
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.
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.
Just to give you an idea of where membership dues go, here’s a breakdown of B.A.G.’s annual expenses:
- 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.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the December 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.
*** Announcement: Spring/Summer member exhibit, Page Turners: Artist’s Books by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Our spring/summer exhibit will take place later this year and all members are invited and encouraged to contribute new or old work. The theme, Page Turners, is open-ended, allowing for unlimited interpretation.
Our exhibit location has yet to be determined, so stay tuned for more details.
*** Nina Gaby has been chosen to exhibit Unsent, an artist book using porcelain bound with wire, in the national exhibit Mixed Media opening at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY on January 24, 2020.
The exhibit features works across various mediums to showcase what the new generation of mixed media artists are doing while advancing the public’s awareness and appreciation of this interdisciplinary field.
For more information about the exhibit, visit the Nazareth College website.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching the Secret Belgian Binding at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on February 10 & 11.
The not-so-mysterious Secret Belgian binding was developed to have the appearance of a Japanese stab binding, but also to have the ability of opening flat. The structure was invented by Anne Goy in the mid-1980’s and was relatively unknown until Hedi Kyle introduced it to the United States.
The text block is sewn is first, before attaching the covers with an intriguing woven sewing pattern – no glue is needed! This hard cover binding is perfect for use as a journal or sketchbook.
You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. Some previous experience with bookbinding is helpful, but not required.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** Helen Hiebert has reinvented her Twelve Months of Paper Calendar as a planner, The Paper Year: A 2020 Creative Project Planner. Each month features a paper craft project along with a list of materials and tools you’ll need to complete each project, plus step-by-step photos, templates and easy-to-follow instructions.
Helen also has a curated paper pack that includes everything you need to complete all of the projects – no need to source materials on your own!
Elissa is working on getting a group order together so folks can take advantage of available discounts.
Here’s the scoop:
- If 10+ people order the planner, the discount is 50% – $12.50 each.
- If we get 2+ people ordering the paper pack, the discount 10% – $22.50.
- If 10+ people order both the planner and the paper pack, the total discount is 50% – $25.00
You can check out the planner and all of the completed projects at the December meeting (Elissa made ’em all). If you’re interested, please contact Elissa.
*** From February 20 – April 30, the North Bennet Street School will be hosting the exhibit Drop Dead Gorgeous: Fine Bindings of La Prose du Transsibérien Re-creation.
The remarkable book by poet Blaise Cendrars and artist Sonia Delaunay, La Prose du Transsibérien et de la petite Jehanne de France, was produced by letterpress and pochoir in 1913. It was a landmark achievement for its time with its unprecedented format, avant-garde typography and abstract imagery, and remains vibrant and modern today.
Kitty Maryatt of Two Hands Press has been researching the production of La Prose du Transsibérien since 2012. In 2018, she debuted a new edition of 150 copies, which faithfully incorporates techniques and methods used in the original.
At the same time, Maryatt and her underwriters commissioned fine bindings by notable design binders from around the world. These bindings, along with Maryatt’s La Prose du Transsibérien Re-Creation, have resulted in a traveling exhibition titled Drop Dead Gorgeous: Fine Bindings of La Prose du Transsibérien Re-creation.
The NBBS is located in Boston, MA.
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers will be celebrating 40 years in 2020 and to commemorate this milestone, they are inviting members to submit work to their upcoming 40th Anniversary Exhibition. They encourage submissions of all types of book work (this includes bindings, artist books, calligraphy, printmaking, paper making, etc.) to showcase the diversity of their membership.
In order to submit work, please fill out an Intent to Enter form. The deadline to submit the form is February 14, 2020. Submissions will be accepted from July 1 to July 31, 2020.
Entrants must be members of the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers and carry a membership throughout the entire run of the exhibition.
For more information about the rules and regulations and deadlines, please visit the NEGBW website. You can also contact Erin Fletcher at newenglandgbw@gmail.com with any questions.
Book Arts Classes
*** From February 29 – March 1, the North Bennet Street School will be hosting a workshop with Kitty Maryatt on the technique of traditional French pochoir. Since this is an introduction, the focus will be on problem-solving and experiencing the joy of vibrant and true color.
This workshop will introduce the basics of printing multiples through aluminum stencils. The steps involve the following: trace the imagery that you want to reproduce, develop a registration system, identify and separate the colors, cut aluminum plates by hand, mix gouache colors, prime the French pochoir brush and apply the liquid in a swirling fashion.
The instructor will bring a pre-designed image with plates already cut so that participants can immediately learn the brush techniques. Afterwards, participants will select or create an image to be reproduced and go through the steps to make an edition of that image.
The NBBS is located in Boston, MA. For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, February 9, 2020, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA 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.
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering 2-Day Letterpress Single-Sheet Books with Valerie Carrigan from February 15 – 16, 2020.
This weekend workshop celebrates books made from single sheets of paper. You will learn to fold a variety of book structures, ranging from simple to complex in nature.
These versatile and fun structures are ideal for photographers and printmakers interested in presenting their work a in new and fresh way. Creative enclosures, also folded from single sheets of paper, will be made to house all book models.
All skill levels welcome in this workshop.
Click here to register. Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
by Elissa | Dec 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 11, 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: Ornament Exchange and Holiday Market
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!
AND
Get ready for the Holiday Market!
While you’re making your ornament and preparing for the holidays, clean out your stash and share stuff that you want to get rid of at our Free Table, or set up your own little shop with items to trade or sell. If you are selling/ trading, please label your products with a price or value for trading.
We’ll all have time to browse and pick up cool stuff from each other!
November Meeting Reflections
Each year, our group comes up with lovely, super-fun cards and books for the popular Book Blitz and Card Tricks meeting, and this year was no exception. We all shared in each other’s secret inspirational places (Fold of the Week seems to be on everyone’s list) while making some holiday cheer. The open format allowed for everyone to participate, explore, and mingle as well as pick up some new tricks.
The B.A.G. library was open, and our resident librarian Sally, picked out some important titles for members to borrow. I picked up one that I had been wanting to look at for a while. If you have any books that you want to donate to the library, just let Sally know, and if you’ve borrowed one or two, please return them at another meeting.
Thanks to everyone who participated this month. Attendance is at a very high level these days! I can’t wait to see what all you talented people do for the ornament exchange this year.
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.
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.
Just to give you an idea of where membership dues go, here’s a breakdown of B.A.G.’s annual expenses:
- 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.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the December 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.
*** 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.
Book Arts News
*** Now through December 6th, John Neal Bookseller is running an extended Black Friday sale with savings of up to 50%. The selection of items includes bookbinding texts, calligraphy texts and supplies, and subscriptions to both Bound & Lettered and Letter Arts Review.
Click here to check out what’s discounted.
*** Helen Hiebert has reinvented her Twelve Months of Paper Calendar as a planner, The Paper Year: A 2020 Creative Project Planner. Each month features a paper craft project along with a list of materials and tools you’ll need to complete each project, plus step-by-step photos, templates and easy-to-follow instructions.
Helen also has a curated paper pack that includes everything you need to complete all of the projects – no need to source materials on your own!
Elissa is working on getting a group order together so folks can take advantage of available discounts.
Here’s the scoop:
- If 10+ people order the planner, the discount is 50% – $12.50 each.
- If we get 2+ people ordering the paper pack, the discount 10% – $22.50.
- If 10+ people order both the planner and the paper pack, the total discount is 50% – $25.00
You can check out the planner and all of the completed projects at the December meeting (Elissa made ’em all). If you’re interested, please contact Elissa.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding their Annual Studio Sale on December 14 & 15 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 marbled papers (firsts and seconds), marbled paper treasure bags, notepads, journals, sketchbooks, boxes, post-it holders and many other great gift items all beautified by hand marbled papers.
There will be paper marbling demonstrations at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 ap.m., and 3:00 p.m. There will also be make-and-take activities:
- Marbled notepad; Marbled paper (free)
- Marbled Silk Scarf ($25.00)
For more information, please call (413) 253-2835 or email regstjohn@comcast.net.
*** If you’re looking for a board shear, there’s a compact wooden top Jacques shear for sale in Somerville, MA. A 30.5″ blade gives a 30″ cut. Removable back gauge, spring gauge can also be removed. Wooden surface is 32″ wide x 35″ long, 45″ – 56″ with the tray. 63″ from end of handle to counterweight.
This is a good shear for a small space, in great condition. The blade is sharp. Purchaser responsible for removal. Photos available upon request. Asking $3,000.00.
For more information or to purchase the shear, please contact Kate Rich at blackletterkate@hotmail.com.
Book Arts Classes
*** On January 11 & 12, 2020, 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.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, February 9, 2020, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA 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.
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering 2-Day Letterpress Single-Sheet Books with Valerie Carrigan from February 15 – 16, 2020.
This weekend workshop celebrates books made from single sheets of paper. You will learn to fold a variety of book structures, ranging from simple to complex in nature.
These versatile and fun structures are ideal for photographers and printmakers interested in presenting their work a in new and fresh way. Creative enclosures, also folded from single sheets of paper, will be made to house all book models.
All skill levels welcome in this workshop.
Click here to register. Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
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.
