by Elissa | Nov 4, 2021 | B.A.G. Book Swap, B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
This month’s meeting will once again be held via Zoom, an online conference program. If you’ve never attended a Zoom meeting before, check out this video – it will go over the basics of how to join a meeting.
Stay safe!
The B.A.G. Board
Program: Paper Tricks – Books, Cards, and Garlands
We have rebranded our annual November tradition from Book Blitz and Card Tricks to Paper Tricks! Member-led mini demonstrations can include any paper-centric item, including mini books, holiday cards, ornaments, garlands, or any other form you come up with.
While we are unable to be together IRL, we can still celebrate each others’ creativity. Your task – design an item that has a trick or two; maybe a pop-up, French doors, a window, or unusual material or structure.
Here’s where we need YOU.
We are seeking volunteers to share their paper manipulation during our Zoom meeting. You will simply hold up your creation for us to see and demonstrate how you made your paper item. We can post follow up references on Chat if desired.
Contact Marcia to secure a spot in the spotlight. The more members who participate, the richer our meeting will be.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please contact Elissa so she can send you the Zoom meeting details.
October Meeting Reflections
We are all missing IRL meetings and the socializing that we enjoyed during those times. But I really felt the camaraderie in our group at our meeting in October where artists shared work from the NEKAG show.
There was a lot of giving going on in the form of positive feedback, helpful ideas, and general admiration. And what’s not to admire? We had very positive feedback from the gallery, and succeeded in one of our main missions, to further the public knowledge of book arts.
So thank you to all the artists who participated in the show, and special thanks to those who shared their work more intimately at the meeting. It’s always inspiring to me to know where ideas come from, and how they make it into book form. How does that happen for you? What makes you create a book? Ah, these questions deserve discussion.
B.A.G. Library Corner
We’re entering the holiday season once again and beginning to put our gift lists together. And what could make a gift giving prettier than Naomi Shiek’s leafy gift set?
In her book, Fold It and Cut It, Shiek provides templates and instructions for creating intricate hand-cut leaf designs for gift tags, gift wrap, and ribbon. Together, these designs make any gift something special.
If you have ideas for books to feature or if you have a library book in your possession you’d like to share something from, email Sally at salblanch@gmail.com.
You can check out and download the project here.
B.A.G. News
*** We have over 20 participants in the B.A.G. Zine Swap Challenge!
Remember to mail your 10 zines by November 20th to:
Ann Joppe-Mercure
10 Brookwood Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403
Here’s a recap of the details:
- Create your zine using an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper – it should be an 8 page origami structure (one-sheet book).
- The final zine size should be 4.25″ x 2.75″.
- Make 10 copies of your zine and fold them.
- Optional fun – create a box or wrap to contain your zines.
We will mail packets of 10 assorted zines to you in late November, just in time to share them at our December B.A.G. meeting
*** B.A.G. Co-Founder Nancy Stone will selling her book 251 Vermont Vistas from a booth at the Made in Vermont Marketplace put on by Vermont Business Magazine. The book is a collection of original watercolor ‘postcards’ that she painted over several years as she and her husband visited each of Vermont’s 251 towns and cities. To preview the book or to order on-line, visit Nancy’s website.
The Marketplace will take place on Saturday, November 20th from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton Burlington on Williston Road. It will welcome exhibitors who make unique Vermont products, from food to spirits to woodworking to Vermont clothing and more.
The timing of the event, a week before Thanksgiving, enables people to start shopping for holiday gifts early. With all the talk of supply chain shortages, now is the time to buy local for Christmas.
For more information please visit the Made in Vermont Marketplace website.
*** Emma Percy is teaching Zines & Book Arts at River Arts in Morrisville on December 5.
Zines have a recent but rich history as an underground mode of sharing information, art, and new ideas with other like-minded creative folks. This workshop will explore what zines and artist’s books are and what they can be, introductory layout, printing, and bookbinding techniques to get you started, as well as things to consider when beginning a do-it-yourself publishing or bookmaking project.
A zine can be anything from a folded sheet of paper to a beautifully crafted booklet, and with help and inspiration from Emma’s extensive zine library and scrap paper collection, we will all make a few small zines as well as the foundation for a larger artist’s book where you can let your creativity shine!
For more information or to register, visit the River Arts website.
*** This one comes to us from Nancy Stone:
Gwendolyn Evans is seeking someone to help her with technology for creating pages of her own writing that can be put into a handmade book. Due to vision loss, she is unable to do this herself. She has “always wanted” to make a book using her original content that would be bound within covers created from her work with polymer clay.
She can be reached at (802) 879-2706 or at gwendolynvt@gmail.com.
Book Arts News
*** Now through November 16th, the Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH is hosting The New England Guild of Book Workers 40th Anniversary Exhibition.
This exhibition highlights the creative range and skills of the current members. The work bridges traditional fine binding to innovative design binding where book forms are re-imagined using unconventional materials in new experimental ways.
If you can’t make it to the exhibit, you can view a catalog of the work online.
For more information, please visit the Baker-Berry website.
*** Now through November 20, 23 Sandy Gallery is presenting UNSEEN, and exhibition of book arts featuring 76 works juried by Fulbright recipient and book arts educator Barb Tetenbaum, Jordan Eddy (director of form & concept), and Erin Mickelson (owner of 23 Sandy).
Artists were asked to consider the invisible forces that can shape our lives and surface in unexpected ways – physically, psychologically and philosophically. Work ranges from traditional codexes and interactive and exquisite corpse-style works to reactive sound art books and sculptures.
You can view all of the included work on the 23 Sandy Gallery website.
*** Now through December 6, Abecedarian Artists’ Books is accepting submissions for its upcoming show, Lettered & Bound. The exhibit will be on view at Dayton Memorial Library, Regis University, in Denver, CO in February 2022 and Tallyn’s Reach Public Library in Aurora, CO in March 2022.
Eligible are book works that include calligraphy (the art of beautiful writing) as a primary element. Book works can be unique, editioned, traditionally bound, created using experimental forms (e.g. folded forms), wall mounted (e.g. scrolls) or loose sheets presented in a portfolio or box. Calligraphy is here defined as human mark making that draws upon traditional forms of calligraphy or modern, gestural, or abstract forms.
For more information or to submit work for consideration, please visit the Abecedarian Artists’ Books website.
*** Now through December 11, the Center for Book Arts is hosting CBA 2021 Faculty Fellow Colette Fu‘s exhibition, What the Butterfly Dragon Taught Me, Dimensional Stories in Paper.
The exhibition showcases Fu’s mastery of complex three-dimensional compositions engineered from paper and her own photographs – a practice she has honed over almost two decades.
CBA recorded an artist talk with Fu, where she both discussed the individual stories of each work and spoke to the overall series they are part of – We Are Tiger Dragon People.
You can watch Fu’s talk on YouTube.
Stay-at-Home Fun
*** The Jaffe Center for Book Arts is offering the Sewn Boards Binding with Karen Hanmer on November 13.
This variation on the Sewn Boards Binding is based on Gary Frost’s first prototype. It is held in University of Iowa Library Historical Bookbinding Model Collection. A quick and utilitarian notebook, the outer card folios are glued shut, the spine lined, and a breakaway spine wrapper is added while covering the book in sturdy bookcloth.
Expect a fast-paced workshop; some binding experience and familiarity with basic concepts like folding and paper grain direction will be helpful.
For more information or to register, please email John Cutrone at jcutrone@fau.edu.
*** The Center for Book Arts is offering Intro to Tunnel Books with Maria G. Pisano on November 17 & 18.
In this workshop, students of all experience levels will learn how to make tunnel books. A tunnel book is a wonderful book structure that creates the optical illusion of perspective through accumulated layers.
Traditionally a tunnel book is accompanied by supporting concertinas sides, which make the work collapsible, portable, and easily viewable. The reader is able to hold a tunnel at eye level and marvel at it!
Students will work with their own images to create the book. The images should all be related in theme and subject matter to facilitate a successful outcome.
For more information or to register, please visit the CBA website.
*** The Austin Book Arts Center is offering the Secret Belgian Binding with Kevin Auer on three Mondays, November 29, December 6, and December 13.
Developed by the Belgian artist Anne Goy in 1986 this binding has a similar appearance to a Japanese stab binding. The structure uses a primary and secondary sewing. The sewing creates a distinct thread pattern on the cover and it is a very sturdy binding that allows the book to open completely flat.
In this class we will create a three-piece cover using book board. This board will be covered in paper. The cover pieces will then be sewn together to create the case and the unique sewing pattern. Once the case is completed the textblock will be sewn directly onto the cover using the existing sewing to anchor it in place. We will explore two different sewing methods for connecting the textblock to the case.
For more information or to register, please visit the ABAC website.
*** The Minnesota Center for Book Arts is offering Fuzzy Books with Joanna Manning on two Tuesdays, November 30 and December 7.
Chase away the cold pricklies with some warm, fuzzy, hand-felted artist’s books! In this interactive workshop, get acquainted with needle felting materials and turn wool into a miniature artist’s book of your design.
Craft your own miniature book creation with simple techniques and minimal materials. Learn basic wool felting techniques including how to create and use stencils, fill in shapes, blend colors, and master fine details like thin lines, sharp edges, and dots.
This beginner-friendly workshop doesn’t require any previous knowledge or skills. A materials list will be provided and you’ll walk away with your own unique finished project, plus techniques to continue making more after the workshop.
For more information or to register, please visit the MCBA website.
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 | 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 | Feb 9, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 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: Mining for Gold – Exploring Tunnel Books
Tunnel books are a visually exciting way of presenting content in book form. Join us over the next few months as we dig deep into the treasure-filled world of tunnel books.
In February, we’ll explore and share ways of constructing tunnel books together. Do you have a favorite tunnel book structure? A particular way of incorporating content in your tunnel books? Come and share it with us! Bring the tunnel books you’ve made (photos are okay, too) and share what worked well or discuss some of the challenges.
In addition to sharing and learning from each other, Elissa Campbell will bring a resource list that includes cool books and websites with tutorials, and Ann Joppe-Mercure will bring a slide show with more exciting examples. Please feel free to come and discover new techniques and ideas for constructing tunnel books, even if you don’t have one to share.
In March, we will have a hands-on tunnel book construction extravaganza based on some of the methods shared in February to create tunnel book models you can adapt to your own designs.
Things to bring (optional):
- Tunnel book(s) you’ve constructed (or photos)
- Models of tunnel book structures you’ve learned
- Paper and pen for taking notes on all the cool new methods you’ll discover!
January Meeting Reflections
It was ‘hygge’ all around at the January meeting, featuring Annette Hansen and her Froebel star tutorial. Annette shared stories of her Danish childhood, where holidays centered around traditional paper crafts. The beautiful paper stars we made together gave everyone a sense of satisfaction, and of cozy togetherness. Thanks, Annette!
The holiday ornament exchange turned out to be great fun. After participants had a chance to appreciate their swapped ornament, the maker identified herself and shared the method and materials. Let’s do it again next year!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** It’s time to renew your annual membership!
The primary mission of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont is to act as both an educational and creative resource in the field of book arts. Our monthly meetings are $5.00 an evening or free with a $35.00 annual membership. Your membership supports the mission of the Book Arts Guild, pays for our rented space, provides opportunities to exhibit and supports honorariums to presenters.
In addition to the benefits you receive (you can check them out here), your paid membership also enables us to cover expenses such our website and email newsletter – key tools for keeping our book arts community in touch and informed. A special membership benefit this year is that you don’t have to pay to submit work to our annual, non-juried book arts exhibition. You’ll also receive a personal thank you from Ann Joppe-Mercure (priceless).
If you have a skill, a passion, a favorite technique or a body of work that others would love to learn about, and then take the leap and volunteer to share it with us as a presenter. If you present at a B.A.G. meeting, you receive free membership for the year. Think about it – we know you have something to share!
If you would like to become a supporting B.A.G. member, click here to download our membership form.
*** Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 Show news!
NEW DETAILS BELOW!
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. co-founder Nancy Stone is selling a book press that was formerly a cider press.
The frame is hardwood taking up a 20” x 20” floor space. It has a 33” height to the top of the metal turning/press mechanism.
As a cider press, it has a wooden cylinder to hold the apples but is missing the 2 wooden parts needed for pressing apples down and for the cider to run out. It’s likely that you could make these if you want it for cider.
Nancy loves the press, but is currently downsizing. She’s selling it for $50.00 and an even deliver it if you need that.
For more information or to buy the press (do it!), contact Nancy at (802) 879-0243 or nstonevt@gmail.com.
Book Arts News
*** The exhibit Illuminating Words: Artists’ Books at UVM is being held at the Francis Colburn Gallery in Williams Hall, UVM, now through February 15th. For over 50 years, the Department of Art and Art History and Special Collections have been making, collecting and sharing artists’ books. Drawing on the rich resources in Special Collections, Illuminating Words celebrates book arts at UVM.
In the 1970s, printmakers in the Art Department – faculty and students – were combining images and text to create books that found their way to the shelves in Special Collections. Over the years, Art faculty and Special Collections librarians have worked together to develop an outstanding artists’ book collection that is eclectic, broad, and deep.
Curated by librarian Prudence Doherty, this exhibition features works made by UVM students and faculty as well as impressive selections from the library’s collection.
A gallery tour will be held on Wednesday, February 14th at 12:00 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For information, please email uvmsc@uvm.edu or call (802) 656-2138.
*** Now through February 25th, Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord will have her Spirit Books on display at the McCoy Gallery at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA.
In the words of the artist:
The Spirit Books connect my experience of the inherent spirituality and mystery of nature with the long-standing tradition of books as testaments of faith and belief.
The McCoy Gallery is located in the Rogers Art Center on Walsh Way. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
*** 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
*** The Eliot School is offering Altered Books with a Purpose with Wendy Wolfe Fine on four Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21, & 28.
Turn an old or used book into a work of art with a purpose, using imagination and a variety of mixed media techniques. Take a thematic excursion, tell a tale or dramatize an issue through color and visual imagery, creative materials, and 3-D structures.
Use your book’s existing contents if you like, add new materials or use your book to display a collection of valued objects, images or photographs. Learn to assess the condition of the various components of an old book, decide which parts to keep and which to remove and create layouts that communicate your message or story.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
*** 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.
*** 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 | Jul 7, 2017 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 11, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The July meeting will be held at the SEABA Center Gallery at 404 Pine Street in Burlington, VT. Click here to get directions using Google Maps.
* Please note that this meeting is different than our usual meeting in three ways:
- Location: We are meeting at SEABA, not at the Unitarian Church in Burlington.
- Date: We are meeting on a Tuesday, and not on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Time: The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m., not at 6:30 p.m.
Program: Artists’s Talk and Reception
Correspondence: Bookworks from the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Correspondence: Bookworks, our 2017 exhibit, will be held at SEABA on Pine Street in Burlington from July 11 to August 25, 2017.
The opening reception and artists’ talk will be on Tuesday, July 11 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. This will be in place of our usual July meeting at the Unitarian Church.
We encourage each artist to talk about his or her work, highlighting any special processes, challenges, or inspiration. Since there are a lot of entries in the show, please be prepared to make brief remarks so that everyone can get a chance to talk, socialize, and enjoy the mutual admiration club.
We hope to see you there!
June Meeting Reflections
Amy Burns delighted the group with her unique and handy packaging ideas and tips. Although not everyone sells their work in such a professional manner, there was a lot of interest in how Amy has developed her own identity and successfully markets her brand. The take-away is that details count! Thanks to Amy for sharing her process and tricks.
Amy also provided a fantastic comic illustration of the double needle coptic bindng process, and led the group through the step by step instructions. Her instructions helped to make clear the complicated binding technique.
Again, many thanks to Amy for preparing the materials and giving everyone a chance to bind their own beer coasters!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** B.A.G. Co-Founder Nancy Stone has lots of news to share with our members. First off, one of Nancy’s paintings has been selected for inclusion in a juried show at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington, open now through October 31st.
And now through July 22nd, yet another of her paintings can be seen in the Vermont Watercolor Society‘s annual juried members’ show AQUA at the Valley Arts Festival Gallery in the Village Square Shopping Center, Route 100 in Waitsfield.
Lastly, she’s got a solo show at Saint Michael’s College‘s McCarthy Art Gallery in Colchester from August 2 – 12, 2017. The exhibit coincides with the Playhouse‘s production of You Can’t Take it with You. Her Handmade-Books-on-the-Wall exhibit includes two large installations – her Vermont 251 Club postcards with original watercolors displayed as accordion books and her 13 books of Ecclesiastes III with white-on-white pop-ups.
Congratulations Nancy on all of your accomplishments!
*** Looking for college credit? Ann Joppe-Mercure will be teaching The Art of the Book (GED 673A) at Saint Michael’s College from July 10 – 28, 2017.
Educators and students are invited to explore and create in this studio course addressing the art of the book. Participants will experiment with forms, structures, materials, and concepts as we investigate the limitless possibilities of the book. By surveying the historical need to record and contain knowledge and by examining the work of contemporary book artist students will gain a foundation for their own creative expression of ideas and meaning. Students will make a working portfolio of paper treatments, book models and altered structures then create their own individual art books.
The class will be a working model of a 21st century collaborative community supporting the creative process through practice, constructive criticism, reflecting, and refining technique. The Common Core anchor standards of Craft and Structure and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas will be addressed.
No previous bookmaking or art experience required. Students who have previously taken The Art of Bookmaking (GED 671) and/or Science, Art and Bookmaking: Making Connections (GED 673), are welcome in this class. A $50.00 materials fee is required and due at registration.
For more information, please visit St. Mike’s website.
Book Arts News
*** Now through July 19, 2017, the North Bennet Street School is hosting Open • Set, a traveling, triennial bookbinding exhibition organized by the American Academy of Bookbinding. The exhibit showcases the art of fine design bookbinding and hopes to inspire both new binders and professionals.
The exhibition is intended to be a recognition of the beauty of the craft and a commitment to the public toward a better understanding of this art form. The international exhibition features fifty books and recognizes excellence in craftsmanship and design concept interpretation.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the North Bennet Street School’s website.
*** ArtisTree Gallery‘s 7th annual juried exhibit, UNBOUND: VOL VII, will open on July 28th and run through August 26, 2017. This exhibit is opening in conjunction with the kick off of the 9th annual Bookstock Literary Festival in Woodstock, VT.
The broad theme of UNBOUND VOL. VII encompasses all of the possibilities of what we may think or may not think a “book” is. Is it story? An entry to another world? An exploration? What does it indicate? This juried show looks to explore this idea of “the book” and all the ways artists use that format as a stepping-off point or as material to explore new ideas.
An opening reception will be held on Friday July 28th, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please send an email to gallery@artistreevt.org or visit the ArtisTree Gallery’s website.
Book Arts Classes
*** 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 9 – 15 and Week 2 runs from July 16 – 22.
This year’s instructors include Samuel Feinstein, Barb Tetenbaum, and April Sheridan. Wells College is located in Aurora, NY.
Please send inquiries to bookartscenter@wells.edu. You can also download the course catalog (pdf) from the Wells College website.
*** The Guild of Book Workers is offering Covered and Visible: Protected Multi-Section Pamphlet Stitch Structure with Gabrielle Fox from July 14 – 15, 2017. The workshop will be held at Dartmouth College Preservation Services in Hanover, NH.
In this two-day class, you will complete at least one full leather binding using the simplest version of this structure. This variation provides the strength and flexibility of a tight backed book with the action of a hollow tube. You may also have time to explore several onlay techniques using pre-thinned leather and decorative papers.
The delight of this structure is the ease with which it opens, closes and the possible variations that can be used for both design and conservation binding. The entire case or cover of the binding is completed before sewing in the text, which is the final procedure or step in the binding. This structure can be kept very simple or adapted to something as complex as a full leather traditional binding with a difference.
Questions regarding registration should be directed to Martha Kearsley at negbwprograms@gmail.com.
Please note that you will need to prepare some of the required materials in advance. For more information, visit the Guild of Book Workers website.
*** From July 16 – 22, 2017, Art New England is offering Artists Books: Structure and Story with Julie Leonard. ANE workshops take place in Vermont at Bennington College.
The hand-held, tactile, and serial qualities inherent to the book make it a compelling media for artistic expression. Artist books can be visual, textual, sculptural, traditional or experimental in form. A book’s structure in concert with text and/or image can serve as an essential contextual element.
This course will consider the connections between structure and other content with a goal of creating books in which the physical form plays an integral role in both function and meaning. Participants will learn several book structures for presenting material in alternative formats. Through exercises, ideas will be translated into ‘sketches’ made in book form. Contextual possibilities particular to book work will be examined, including visual and/or textual narrative, serialization, and unifying multiple pages into a cohesive whole.
The class will also address the importance of understanding book structure and basic binding skills in order to produce work with both depth and material integrity.
For more information or to register, please visit the Art New England website.
*** Art New England is also offering Pop-Up Books with Colette Fu from July 30 – August 5, 2017.
Pop-up books aren’t just for children! Pop-up structures can be used to make engaging works of art for any age, from greeting cards to animations to kinetic sculptures. Complex and engaging pop-up works are created from a combination of basic mechanisms enhanced by your art, playfulness and imagination.
In this workshop, participants learn the basic elements of pop-up paper engineering, including multi-level platforms and pulltabs, as well as how to combine them to create more complex structures. Participants learn how to incorporate their own art into their structures effectively to create unique pop-up books, cards, and works of art. All levels of experience are welcome.
For more information or to register, please visit the Art New England website.
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering Alternative Book Structures with Valerie Carrigan from July 23 – 29, 2017.
This workshop focuses on book structures that lend themselves to the presentation of two-dimensional imagery such as photographs, prints, and paintings. You will make a series of book models including the pivoting panel book and flag book, originated by Hedi Kyle, and variations on the accordion book. All book structures introduced may be opened in the traditional way – page-by-page, or extended for a more sculptural view.
After completing your models, you will spend the remainder of the week creating and sequencing imagery and/or text for the content of your books. Simple letterpress techniques will be discussed and utilized. Participants will be encouraged to pursue the medium of their choice in these book forms.
This workshop is ideal for photographers, painters, printmakers, collage artists – anyone who wants to present imagery in the form of an artist book. No experience is necessary and those with prior experience will have the chance to add to their repertoire of creative book forms.
For more information or to register, please visit the Maine Media Workshops + College website.
