by Elissa | Jan 7, 2024 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
This month’s meeting will be held IN PERSON!
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.
We are offering a Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. If you’d like to attend the meeting over Zoom, please contact Elissa and she’ll send you the link.
We hope to see you there!
The B.A.G. Board
In continuing with our tradition of choosing a theme for our meetings every year, the B.A.G. Board has selected the theme of It’s a Wrap! Classic Covers, Clever Closures, and Fabulous Finishes for 2024. We’ll focus on ways for you to amp up the presentation of your work.
The presentation of your work can absolutely make a difference in how your audience perceives it. Adding careful details and thoughtful treatments requires extra effort, but can bring extra appeal and personal satisfaction.
This year, we’ll explore many ways of finishing or adding to your work with covers, containers, and other detailed elements. We will discuss methods for creating elements that work with the structure and content of your book and give it extra polish.
Get ready, because it will be an exciting year!
Program: Diagonal Pocket Folder with Penne Tompkins
To kick off our 2024 theme of It’s a Wrap, B.A.G. member Penne Tompkins will demonstrate one of her favorite things to fold – the Hedi Kyle Diagonal Pocket Fold structure. It’s a simple and elegant form that can be used as an enclosure or wrap.
This structure is so simple, one only needs a piece of paper, however as we will be adding a small folio a few other bits are needed. A bone folder can be handy, but one’s thumbnail is okay too.
Tools and materials:
- Paper: One sheet of text weight or slightly heavier paper; magazine covers work well as the glossy finish holds a nice crease (I have a collection of The New Yorker covers that I use frequently). Gift wrapping paper is another good recycle option. In the finished product, only one side is visible so a decorative sheet with one plain side makes a lovely finished piece.
- Size: the ideal ratio for this shape is 3:4 although other ratios will work so long as the width to height ratio is close to 3:4.
- Using a letter size sheet of copy paper, you would trim it to be 8.25″ x 11″
- For a larger overall size, 9″ x 12″ or 12″ x 16″ will work
- For the folio insert:
- 3 sheets of text weight paper measuring 3.5″ h x 5″ w
- Punching tool (awl)
- Needle
- Thread
We are offering a Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. If you’d like to attend the meeting over Zoom, please contact Elissa and she’ll send you the link.
December Meeting Reflections
Our December B.A.G. meeting was full of card tricks and camaraderie. It was our second hybrid meeting and we continue to learn how to make this work for everyone. Some who met in person marveled at how long it had been and how great it was to be together again in real life.
Several members shared clever movable/pop-up card ideas. More of us are learning how to present through Zoom. For those who don’t know, the people meeting live at the church view the demonstrations on a screen so they are seeing the same thing that everyone at home sees on their computer or other device.
Still to learn is how to improve audio communication between the live meeting and the virtual meeting. As time goes on we will determine what seems best for Book Arts Guild of Vermont.
In the meantime we look forward to It’s a Wrap!, the first meeting for this year’s theme of containers, enclosures, and finishing touches. We look forward to seeing you then! And Happy New Year!
B.A.G. Library Corner
A new year is like a blank page to make your own, and in her book The Decorated Page, Gwen Diehn shows us how to customize a blank book for whatever ideas we have in mind. Try removing, adding, or dividing pages; changing the spine; or lamination. What other ideas do you have for your blank page?
You can check out and download the selection here.
If you have ideas for books to feature or if you have a B.A.G. library book in your possession from which you’d like to share something, email Sally at salblanch@gmail.com.
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 fifteen 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, future 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:
- Zoom subscription: $159.90 per year
- Vimeo subscription: $84.00 per year
- Rent: $50.00 per month when we can return to in-person attendance
- Presenter honorarium: $35.00 per meeting
- Website and email newsletter: $100.00 per year
- Presenter reimbursement for supplies: Varies
We hope that you will renew your membership to help us with our annual expenses. You can download our membership form and send it in with your payment by check of $35.00 made out to the Book Arts Guild of Vermont:
Book Arts Guild of Vermont
c/o Ann Joppe-Mercure
10 Brookwood Dr
South Burlington, VT 05403
You can also pay your dues using Venmo – our account is BAGofVT, listed under businesses.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the guild. We wouldn’t be here without you.
*** Elissa Campbell will be teaching the Peek-a-Book Journal at CraftStudies in White River Junction on Sunday, January 21.
Create a journal with a double-needle Coptic binding, an intricate stitch that is visible on the spine of the book. Not only is the Coptic binding beautiful, but it also allows books to remain flat when opened. The book covers will include a cut-out window, which offers many opportunities for personalization – photos, pressed flowers, theater tickets, you name it!
All materials and tools will be provided.
For more information or to register, please visit the CraftStudies website.
Book Arts News
*** Helen Hiebert‘s membership program, The Paper Year, is open for enrollment now through January 9. Not only will you get to work on a new paper project each month, but you’ll also get access to all past projects from previous years (going back to 2021!). If you’re interested in learning more, visit Helen’s website.
Helen is also holding her annual Weaving Through Winter during the month for February. From February 1 – 28, you’ll be creating a weaving each day as you explore a variety of papers and weaving techniques. Helen describes the experience as a Daily Practice/Challenge/Adventure/Meditation.
For more information or to register, please visit Helen’s website.
*** Registration is open now through April 15 for the Paper and Book Intensive, an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation for seasoned practitioners and motivated beginners.
For more than thirty years, participants have gathered together from around the world for two weeks of daily workshops to promote unusual levels of exchange, knowledge and inspiration. This year’s instructors include Ben Blount, Jeff Peachey, Mary Sullivan, and Erin Sweeney.
For more information or to apply, please visit the PBI website.
*** Save the date! The Focus on Book Arts conference is taking place June 26 – 30, 2024 at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR. Registration will open in March.
Offering a diverse and exciting series of hands-on workshops – along with a Trade Show, Artists’ Fair, Keynote Speaker, Faculty-Staff Exhibit, and several evening receptions – the FOBA conference will offer a variety of enjoyable, interactive, in-person opportunities for networking and learning new skills in book arts.
For more information about this year’s workshops, check out the FOBA website.
*** Abecedarian Gallery is accepting submissions for Printed Page IV, an exhibition to be held at Spark Gallery in Denver’s Art District from March 28 – April 21, 2024.
This is a national juried exhibition, open to artists at least 18 years of age. Eligible are any hand-crafted book-works (editioned or unique) that utilize a form of traditional hand printed media as primary element. The deadline for submissions is February 12, 2024.
For more information, please visit the Abecedarian Gallery’s website.
*** Artists using books as a medium are invited to enter Books Undone 2: The Art of Altered Books. They anticipate a diverse exhibition of book forms that stretch the idea of the altered book. With books as a medium, artists may deconstruct, paint, stitch, photograph, bend, roll, collage, knit, digitally rework, gouge, or use other methods to create their works.
The exhibition will take place at the Gallery at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA and the juror is Scott McCarney.
Entries will be accepted from February 1 – 29, 2024. The exhibition dates are May 30 – July 21, 2024, with a public reception on June 2.
For more information, please visit the Gallery at Penn College website.
Stay-at-Home Fun
*** The Center for Book Arts is offering the Drum Leaf Binding and its Precedents with Scott McCarney on 3 Tuesdays, January 23, 30, and February 6.
Drum leaf binding and its various precedents all create a lay-flat structure ideal for displaying photographs and prints. This workshop will explore three techniques – a Japanese Album, a Japanese Butterfly book, and a Drum-Leaf binding – which all have similarly easy and ingenious modes of assembly.
After learning these structures, participants will then case their Drum-Leaf books into easily assembled quarter-cloth covers with throw-back spines. Since each page spread is a single folded folio, participants can print their images across the gutter with no interruption, making these techniques very popular with printmakers and photographers. Once completed, these books lie flat when opened, making them easy and comfortable to view. No previous bookbinding experience required!
Fun Fact: Drum leaf binding is a structure developed by artist and bookbinder Timothy Ely. He was inspired by his studio of vellum binding in England, where he observed how vellum was drummed to boards to minimize pulling.
For more information or to register, please visit the CBA website.
*** The Minnesota Center for Book Arts is offering the Illuminated Tunnel Book with Elaine Chu on January 31.
The tunnel book is a paper book structure based on an accordion fold. A set of paper panels – which can be decorated in infinite ways including collage, cut paper, found images, rubber stamps, and drawings – are layered to create a sense of depth, drama, and perspective.
LED lights may be added to increase the sense of depth and drama. Instruction for this virtual workshop will include examples and step-by-step instructions for creating the tunnel book structure.
For more information or to register, please visit the MCBA website.
by Elissa | Jun 6, 2020 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The B.A.G. board has determined that at this time, we will not be having in-person meetings through the summer, at the very least. We do have online programs planned for the next three months, so be sure to check out the newsletter sidebar for the schedule.
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: Share What You’ve Been Working on During Quarantine
Have you been busy making cool stuff during Vermont’s stay-at-home order? Perhaps you’ve got a piece that you made for our sadly-canceled annual exhibit. We’d love to see what you’ve been up to!
During this month’s B.A.G. meeting, we’ll be shining the spotlight on our members and their fantastic creations. There are limited spots available, so please let Elissa know if you’d like to be a presenter.
No worries if you haven’t made anything, we’d stlll love to have you join us for a hang. Either way, if you plan to attend the meeting, please contact Elissa so she can send you the Zoom meeting details.
We hope to see you online and look forward to seeing whatever you have to share with us!
May Meeting Reflections
At our May meeting, Elissa Campbell taught Peter and Donna Thomas‘ Nested Accordion Pop-Up Fold Book. This structure can be found in Peter and Donna’s book More Making Books by Hand: Exploring Miniature Books, Alternative Structures, and Found Objects (ISBN: 978-1592530748).
As it was our first Zoom meeting, we learned a lot from the experience. Over two dozen people attended!
We hope that future meetings go more smoothly and for that reason, the B.A.G. board is currently developing guidelines for our online programs. More information is coming in next week’s meeting reminder.
Stay-at-Home Fun
*** Shawn Sheehy is offering the online workshop The Roll-Up/Pop-Up Book on July 17th – 19th. Shawn is a very skilled paper engineer and this workshop is a great opportunity to learn from him in the comfort of your own home.
You have explored the pop-up how-to books. You’re ready to make your own pop-up project. You are stymied by the question: “How do I adapt these classic, foundational structures to make MY OWN structures?” This workshop will help you think through that problem by exploring five different structures at three levels: foundational, transitional, and transformed.
And if that weren’t enough, you will explore an innovative roll-up binding approach (think scroll rather than codex) for the fifteen pop-up folios. In the end, you will have a compact, bound collection of study models that will propel you to the next step of pop-up invention. Beginners are welcome!
For more information, visit Shawn’s website.
*** The Minnesota Center for Book Arts is offering a free weekly fold-along every Friday at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Facebook Live.
Each week, MCBA Lead Teaching Artist Madeline Garcia will teach you a unique book structure using simple household materials. Past structures have included the flag book, tunnel book, and the petal fold book.
For more information and to access the project archives, visit the MCBA website.
*** Sadly this year’s Paper and Book Intensive (PBI) was canceled due to COVID-19. The organizers of the event have kindly offered access to past workshop handouts in hopes of easing the loss. Links to these documents can be found on the PBI Facebook page.
*** On July 22nd, the Special Collections department at the J.Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah is presenting a Long-Stitch Binding workshop with Emily Tipps. Instruction will be given via Zoom.
The elegant long-stitch has been used for inventive artists’ books and beautiful journals, but don’t be fooled by the apparent complexity of this exposed-sewing binding. Participants receive one set of materials (included in the $45.00 fee), and the instructor shares examples with an assortment of thread, buttons, covers, and closures to ensure that the long-stitch never gets old.
For more information or to register, visit the Book Arts Program website.
*** Love letterpress? Grab your popcorn and settle in for an evening of Proceed and Be Bold!, a documentary about the life and work of letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.
Kennedy is known for his bold use of typography and untraditional approach to letterpress. He focuses his work on exploring themes of race, politics, and art and offers his work to the public at affordable prices to make it more accessible.
In light of current events, his work is especially relevant. You can view the documentary on YouTube.
*** Want more letterpress? The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is hosting the Hamilton Hang on Zoom on a weekly basis.
“We miss you on a normal basis, but with all this social distancing we really want to see your smiling faces. So, please plan to join us for a Zoom call (or two or three) so we can chat for a bit. We are asking some of our friends from the print, design, and type worlds to be our guest and co-host for each zoom call. So we can see what they are up to and find out how you’re doing.”
For more information, including the list of currently scheduled speakers, please visit the Hamilton Museum’s website.
by Elissa | Jan 4, 2018 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 10, 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: Get Your Post-Holiday Book Arts On: Ornament Exchange/Make a Froebel Star
Join us in January for a meeting filled with post-holiday cheer, a handmade ornament exchange and a hands-on workshop to make a traditional European holiday paper star ornament.
In the first part of the meeting, Annette Hansen of Make Life Cozy will teach us to fold beautiful, three-dimensional Froebel Stars, a traditional paper decoration that graces homes in Germany and Scandinavia throughout the holiday season. Annette, who grew up in Denmark, says that paper arts are an integral part of holiday hygge (a Danish word that captures the coziness, conviviality, warmth and contentment of the holiday season).
Annette will bring all supplies, including an array of colored paper for the stars in addition to the traditional white. We’ll also explore way to join and use the stars beyond ornaments.
Tools to bring:
Once we all have stars in hand, we’ll hold the first B.A.G. handmade ornament exchange (you’ll be ahead for next Christmas). Participation is easy: Simply hand make an ornament and bring it to the meeting (wrapped or unwrapped) to swap!
Once we’ve swapped, all makers are invited to share a little bit about their inspiration and/or process. Instructions on how to make your ornament are always appreciated but entirely optional.
B.A.G. News
*** January Handmade Ornament Exchange
For those of you who were unable to get ornaments done in time for our December meeting – you’re in luck! Due to the cancellation of last month’s meeting, you now have until our January meeting to participate in B.A.G.’s ornament exchange.
At our next meeting, members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
We know that the timing is funky. Perhaps you can consider the swap as an extra large, single earring exchange?
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped or unwrapped
- Swap for another ornament
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
*** 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!
Members and friends are invited to submit work for our show at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here is our show name and description, which leaves it wide open for interpretation:
Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Books can take on a language of their own, as shown in the multimedia work of this group of artists that use shape, structure, and materials to get their message across.
Important dates:
- Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 1, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.
- Opening: May 22, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
The second show will take place in June at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington. Dates for the show have yet to be determined. Stay tuned for updates.
Book Arts News
*** Now through April 1st, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is hosting the exhibition Treasures from the Collection: A 15 Year Celebration.
In honor of its 15th anniversary, the Museum has assembled an all-star lineup of work from its permanent collection. The exhibition showcases significant acquisitions of the past 15 years with a special focus on the Museum’s most recent gifts and purchases.
Also featured are rarely seen three-dimensional objects in the collection such as dummy books, artist sketchbooks, and hand-carved printing blocks. A special selection of artist doodles and sketches – drawn over 15 years of artist visits, workshops, and book signings – is displayed in the auditorium hallway.
The Carle is located at 125 West Bay Road in Amherst, MA.
*** Registration for the 2018 Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation is now open. Registration is available online. Acceptance letters will be mailed beginning in mid-February.
Here’s the lineup of instructors:
PBI will take place from May 13 – 24, 2018 at Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, MI.
For more information, please visit the PBI website.
Book Arts Classes
*** The Helen Day Art Center is offering Introduction to Bookbinding with Chiyomi McKibbin on January 27 – 28, 2018 (Sunday is optional).
On the first day of this workshop, students will learn to make an accordion book, a pamphlet stitch book, and how to fold a single sheet of paper into 7 different folded books. On the second day, students will make a portable hole-punching cradle that can be used for future stitch-bound books along with learning how to make Postal Notebooks. Supplies will be provided. Teens welcome!
The Helen Day Art Center is located in Stowe, VT. For more information about the class or to register, please visit the Helen Day Art Center’s website.
*** The Eliot School is offering Altered Books with a Purpose with Susan Porter 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.
*** The Wells College Book Arts Center has announced its classes for the Book Arts Summer Institute in July 2018. 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 Amos Kennedy, Aimee Lee, and Scott McCarney. Wells College is located in Aurora, NY.
Registration is open now. For more information, please visit the Wells College website.
by Elissa | Nov 29, 2017 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 13, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Get Your Holiday Book Arts On: Ornament Exchange/Make a Froebel Star
Deck the halls with handmade creations! Join us in December for a meeting filled with holiday cheer, a handmade ornament exchange and a hands-on workshop to make a traditional European holiday paper star ornament.
In the first part of the meeting, Annette Hansen of Make Life Cozy will teach us to fold beautiful, three-dimensional Froebel Stars, a traditional paper decoration that graces homes in Germany and Scandinavia throughout the holiday season. Annette, who grew up in Denmark, says that paper arts are an integral part of holiday hygge (a Danish word that captures the coziness, conviviality, warmth and contentment of the holiday season).
Annette will bring all supplies, including an array of colored paper for the stars in addition to the traditional white. We’ll also explore way to join and use the stars beyond ornaments.
Tools to bring:
Once we all have stars in hand, we’ll hold the first B.A.G. handmade ornament exchange. Participation is easy: Simply hand make an ornament and bring it to the meeting (wrapped or unwrapped) to swap!
Once we’ve swapped, all makers are invited to share a little bit about their inspiration and/or process. Instructions on how to make your ornament are always appreciated but entirely optional.
November Meeting Reflections
Our November meeting was true to its title of Card Tricks and Book Blitz – Member-led Mini Workshops. We had multiple stations of creative paper play including folded stars, pop-up cards, lanterns, and folded boxlike containers.
Fun was had by all as we roamed the room collecting ideas and having hands-on fun as we made out own samples at each mini workshop.
The November meeting format has become a tradition in the Book Arts Guild. Those in attendance are already looking forward to next year.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** December Handmade Ornament Exchange
At our December meeting, we will host an ornament exchange where members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped or unwrapped
- Swap for another ornament
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
*** Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 Show news!
Members and friends are invited to submit work for our show at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here is our show name and description, which leaves it wide open for interpretation:
Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Books can take on a language of their own, as shown in the multimedia work of this group of artists that use shape, structure, and materials to get their message across.
Important dates:
- Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 1, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.
- Opening: May 22, 2018
- Closing: June 30, 2018
- Artist’s talk: Date TBD
The second show will take place in June at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington. Dates for the show have yet to be determined. Stay tuned for updates.
Book Arts News
*** From November 3 – December 22, the North Bennet Street School will host Heroic Works, the third International Bookbinding Exhibition from Designer Bookbinders in the United Kingdom. The exhibit includes 28 prizewinning bindings and 9 works by binders from the United States.
184 binders from 31 countries participated in the competition by binding a book of their own choosing on the theme of myths, heroes, and legends. These works reflect a remarkable range of styles, materials, and approaches to great classics of world literature, as well as modern texts.
The exhibit is free and open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The North Bennet Street School is located in Boston, MA.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding their Annual Studio Sale on December 9 & 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA.
Marblers Regina and Dan St. John will be selling overstock works and seconds, including marbled silk scarves, ties, bow ties, sketchbooks, notepads, holiday ornaments, and marbled papers in both full sheets and small scrap bag size.
For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
*** The Sketchbook Project 2018 is looking for people to participate in their annual collaborative art endeavor. The concept is simple – you request a blank book and then fill it with your artwork.
You can select from a number of themes, including the following:
- Underwater
- Lines and Graphics
- Long Stories with Short Endings
- No Worries
- Connections
- People I Wish I Knew
Once your book is filled, you send it back and it becomes part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Visitors to the library can view sketchbooks contributed by artists from around the world.
The cost is $30.00 to receive a sketchbook and participate in the project. The deadline to sign up is January 5, 2018. For more information, please visit their website.
*** The Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation, has announced its lineup of instructors for 2018:
PBI will take place from May 13 – 24, 2018 at Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, MI. The general application period begins on January 1, 2018. Applications for scholarships are being accepted now through December 31, 2017.
For more information, please visit the PBI website.
Book Arts Classes
*** On December 16 – 17, Susan Bonthron will be teaching the Coptic-sewn Hardbound Journal with paste paper covers and spine sleeves.
This is the Soul’s Kitchen journal that Paulus Berensohn taught so many of his students to make. It is 12¼” x by 9¼” and uses gorgeous Arches Text Wove paper that is suitable for writing, drawing and watercolor sketching. A journal to hold your dreams, ideas, plans, and noticings of “who else is here with us.”
For more information or to register, please contact Susan at (802) 257-0003 or susan.bonthron@gmail.com.
*** The Helen Day Art Center is offering Introduction to Bookbinding with Chiyomi McKibbin on January 27 – 28, 2018 (Sunday is optional).
On the first day of this workshop, students will learn to make an accordion book, a pamphlet stitch book, and how to fold a single sheet of paper into 7 different folded books. On the second day, students will make a portable hole-punching cradle that can be used for future stitch-bound books along with learning how to make Postal Notebooks. Supplies will be provided. Teens welcome!
The Helen Day Art Center is located in Stowe, VT. For more information about the class or to register, please visit the Helen Day Art Center’s website.
*** On February 10 – 11, the North Bennet Street School is offering Bookbinding 101 with Erin Fletcher.
In this class, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class begins with a simple pamphlet and continues with constructing two multi-signature books known as a flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students construct a box to house all of their creations. This class is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Dec 8, 2016 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Sarah Frechette presents The Snowflake Man Touring Pop-up Puppet Theater Show
Added hands-on bonus: Design Your Own Pop-up Puppet Theater!
Join us for a year-end program sure to warm your heart and bring inspired holiday cheer. Puppetkabob artist Sarah Frechette will perform her touring marionette show The Snowflake Man. Combined with her wonderfully artistic puppetry, Sarah uses pop-up book pages as a magical platform to transport the puppet characters, as well as the audience, back in time to tell the story of snowflake photography pioneer Snowflake Bentley.
Pop-up books are a great style of art for communicating stories, as well as, traveling in time and space. As an added bonus, Sarah will share the development & design process she used to create the show’s pop-up book stage, and then teach us how to turn flat colorful pages into a 3D live-action performance using simple angles and moving puppets & props!
Design your own Pop-up Puppet Theater to bring the pages of your favorite book, movie or moment to life. Together, puppets and pop-up books are a great combination for sharing stories and ideas, and make a wonderful project for people of all ages.
Things to bring:
- Glue (PVA recommended)
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife and blade
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Pencil
Sarah will supply colorful cardstock paper and shish kabob sticks.
November Meeting Reflections
The ever popular Book Blitz and Card Tricks meeting continued the long standing tradition of sharing clever ideas for the holidays. Showcased techniques included pop-ups, cutouts, accordions, origami stars, box folds, and a unique slider construction.
Amazingly, we packed it in to the usual two hours, but we could have gone on longer with so much sharing. A hearty thanks goes out to all those who attended and participated. Start planning for next year’s meeting!
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Congratulations to Judy Sgantas for winning the Gallery Choice Award in 23 Sandy Gallery‘s POP-UP NOW II exhibit! Judy’s book Uri Mwita Mama was inspired by her work with youth in Rwanda going through heart surgery. The book uses Hedi Kyle’s Fishbone Binding.
*** For those of you participating in the Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s first book swap, you’ve got just one week left to complete your book!
Just to remind you – for the first swap, you’re creating a blank book that incorporates recycled materials.
Bring your completed book to the December meeting and we’ll get to swapping! If you can’t make it to the December meeting – you can always mail your book ahead of the meeting. Contact Elissa to give her a heads-up.
We can’t wait to see the final books!
*** The Book Arts Guild of Vermont’s annual membership begins January 2017!
The primary mission of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont is to act as both an educational and creative resource in the field of book arts. Our monthly meetings are $5.00 an evening or free with a $35.00 annual membership. Your membership supports the mission of the Book Arts Guild, pays for our rented space, provides opportunities to exhibit and supports honorariums to presenters.
In addition to the benefits you receive (outlined in the sidebar of this newsletter), your paid membership also enables us to cover expenses such our website and email newsletter – key tools for keeping our book arts community in touch and informed. A special membership benefit this year is that you don’t have to pay to submit work to our annual, non-juried book arts exhibition. You’ll also receive a personal thank you from Ann Joppe-Mercure (priceless).
If you have a skill, a passion, a favorite technique or a body of work that others would love to learn about, and then take the leap and volunteer to share it with us as a presenter. If you present at a B.A.G. meeting, you receive free membership for the year. Think about it – we know you have something to share!
If you would like to become a supporting B.A.G. member, click here to download our membership form.
Book Arts News
*** The Sketchbook Project is looking for people to participate in their annual collaborative art endeavor. The concept is simple – you request a blank book and then fill it with your artwork.
You can select from a number of themes, including the following:
- Distance From Origin
- Arms and Legs
- Repeat Pattern
- Heading East
- Clasp my Hands
- Long Stories, Short
Once your book is filled, you send it back and it becomes part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Visitors to the library can view sketchbooks contributed by artists from around the world.
The cost is $28.00 to receive a sketchbook and participate in the project. The postmark deadline for The Sketchbook Project 2017 is February 15, 2017. For more information, please visit their website.
*** The Wells College Book Arts Center has announced its classes for the Book Arts Summer Institute in July 2017. The week-long intensive courses include letterpress printing, bookbinding, calligraphy, typecasting, and font design.
Instructors include Samuel Feinstein, Barb Tetenbaum, Sara Sauers, and April Sheridan.
For more information, please visit the Wells College website.
*** The Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), an annual working sabbatical in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation, has announced its lineup of instructors for 2017:
PBI will take place from May 14 – 25, 2017 at Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, MI. The general application period begins on January 1, 2017. Applications for scholarships are being accepted now through December 30, 2016.
For more information, please visit the PBI website.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding an open studio on December 10 & 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will be marbling and bookbinding demonstrations, along with an end-of-year overstock and seconds sale.
The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA. For more information, please call (413) 253-2835.
Book Arts Classes
*** The Eliot School is offering Magic Books & Paper Toys with Annie Silverman on December 17, 2016.
Using innovative forms from Esther Smith of Purgatory Pie Press, make paper objects like: the Swiss Cross Flexagon, the Snake or Tumble book, the Rolling Ball book, Jacob’s Ladder Flexagon and more. Part book, part toy, these objects make great gifts, invitations or cards.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
*** On Mondays from January 30 to February 3, 2017 the North Bennet Street School is offering Fundamentals of Bookbinding I with Erin Fletcher.
Students learn the foundations of bookbinding through hands-on experience and discussion of both adhesive and non-adhesive books. Learn structural elements, sewing variations, covering and cutting techniques using various materials, in addition to proper use of tools and equipment. Discussions throughout the course cover terminology, materials selection, and use. Structures covered include coptic, long stitch, and flat back bindings.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
