Adult Workshops

MCBA’s in-person and virtual workshops in book arts are designed for adults looking to spark their creativity and professionals aiming to hone their practice. Our in-studio workshops offer hands-on experiences with specialized equipment and small class sizes, and often include a physical takeaway like a book, poster, or handmade paper. Virtual workshops feature processes that require easy-to-source materials and the opportunity to connect with artists from near and far. Our teaching artists—who bring a wide range of experience and education—thoughtfully balance lecture, demonstration, work time, and group sharing.

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Screen Print: Guided Projects

with Ben Etten
Thursdays: March 28, April 11, 25; 6–9pm CT

Have an idea for a print but not sure where to start? Stuck in the middle of a project and in need of help? Or, are you interested in taking your screen printing skills to the next level? Join this unique in-person workshop designed for screen printers with introductory-level experience and a desire to create an independent project with guidance. Continue reading “Screen Print: Guided Projects”

A History of the Book for Book Artists

with Rebecca Hranj
Saturday, March 30; 10am–4pm CT

What is a book? As book artists we continuously explore this question through our own work and our thoughts about the work of others. In this in-person workshop, we will consider how we can make our own work richer by asking, “What has a book been?” Through the lens of book history we will examine a variety of books: print books in our hands, images of books photographed by libraries and museums, and books that are exclusively digital. With this new knowledge we will work together to develop individual projects that engage historical bindings and methods. Questions we wrestle with may include: Is this how my ancestors would have done it? What role does colonization play in this book? Who has been oppressed, erased, or stigmatized through these materials? Can I cue my audience about the content by referring to the design of an important book—say, a 1940s pulp novel or a hand-lettered medieval manuscript? Come with open curiosity and leave with new context for your artistic practice. Continue reading “A History of the Book for Book Artists”

Marbling Focus: Combs & Patterns

with Parry Cadwallader
Saturday, March 30; 10am–4pm CT

This in-person workshop focuses on one of the main tools of marbling: the comb. We will discuss a variety of multi-step patterns and explore the many ways various combs can be used to create exciting and unexpected variations. Starting from basic patterns, participants will build on their fundamental marbling knowledge and end the class having learned and practiced a number of advanced patterns, allowing them to invent new patterns during future sessions at the marbling tank. Continue reading “Marbling Focus: Combs & Patterns”

Mixed Media Flag Book

with Rosemary Rae
Tuesday, April 2; 6–9pm CT

Create a small, double-sided flag book! These mini flag books are a fun way to make creative structures using royalty-free images, photographs, ephemera, rubber-stamped images, or any other art you’d like to showcase. This virtual workshop is perfect for anyone excited to explore a new twist on the flag book. Originally created by Hedi Kyle, the flag book features panels that cross each other when the book opens and closes. Continue reading “Mixed Media Flag Book”

Ekphrastic Weaving with Paper & Poetry

with Jennifer Price
Wednesday, April 3; 6–8:30pm CT

Poetry about art, known as ekphrasis, is a longstanding form through which we can interrogate our motivations intricately. For the first half of this virtual workshop, we’ll survey a selection of ekphrastic writings before participants make paper weavings that will inspire their own self-ekphrastic poems. Paper weaving is the no-fail practice of cutting and assembling strips of paper into a perpendicular, diagonal—or any angle in between!—weave. This process allows the creative mind to go on “auto-pilot” as the composition drives itself intuitively in the flow state. For the last hour, prompts will help participants describe (with optional sharing) their paper weaving exercises through informal (free verse) or formal (haiku, sonnet, etc.) poetry. Participants will take away unique art and not just any poems, but those that reveal their creative desires, challenges, and actions. Continue reading “Ekphrastic Weaving with Paper & Poetry”

Piano Hinge & Reverse Piano Hinge Bindings

with Janet Reynolds
Thursday, April 4; 1–4pm CT

In this in-person workshop, learn to make a fun, accessible binding developed by Hedi Kyle that can be made with as many signatures (folded gatherings of pages) as you like. Named “Piano Hinge,” this binding resembles the hinge on a piano lid. No sewing is involved. Wooden skewers hinge the signatures together to make this unusual book. The “Reverse Piano Hinge” binding can also have as many signatures as desired, which makes it a wonderful structure for collaborative projects. Ideas for content and variations on the structures will be discussed. Examples will be available for participants to both look at and handle. Come away with two finished books and the skills and experience to make them again independently. Continue reading “Piano Hinge & Reverse Piano Hinge Bindings”

Paper Beater Training: April 6

Saturday, April 6; 11am-12pm CT
Papermaking Experience Required

If you aren’t already trained to use our paper beaters, here is your opportunity! Through hands-on training you will learn the capabilities of each piece of MCBA’s paper beaters, and how to use them correctly and safely. Completion of this training will allow you to rent this equipment and use it independently. Studio Labs are not eligible for Certificate credit.
Continue reading “Paper Beater Training: April 6”

Bookmaking for Preschoolers: Book Worms!

with Ellen Ferrari
Saturday, April 13; 10am–12pm CT

Gather for The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle and play a bug game. Learn some simple book structures and then make a bunch of bug books, including very long “M-fold” worms, fluttering “stick binding” butterflies, pop-up spiders, swarming “flag book” bees, and surprising “hidden slot” ants! No bug nets required.

In this in-person workshop, preschoolers learn the parts of a book, work with tools like bone folders and glue sticks, and build fine motor skills by folding basic preschool book structures. They also grow their interest in books and visual arts and feel pride as they engage in artmaking in a book arts studio regularly accessed by working artists. Ellen designed this workshop to meet preschoolers where they are both developmentally and in their interests. Continue reading “Bookmaking for Preschoolers: Book Worms!”

Introduction to Marbling: April

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, April 13; 10am–4pm CT

Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this single-day, in-person workshop! Learn the basic process of paper marbling with acrylics, including recipes for the various components of the process. Make four basic patterns (stones, moire/waved, git-gel, and nonpareil), explore seasonal color palettes, and take home your own marbled papers ready to be used in bookbinding and other arts. Participants will leave the workshop with the confidence to work independently at MCBA’s Marbling Labs. Continue reading “Introduction to Marbling: April”

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)

with Erin Maurelli
Saturday, April 13; 10am–4pm CT

This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing. Get to know MCBA’s wood type collection and learn beginning typesetting with wood type. Learn the basics of working with a flatbed cylinder press, including operation, safety, and care while building skills using the equipment with support from a teaching artist. In pairs, choose a text (three to five words) and print your own small edition of posters on a Vandercook press.  Continue reading “Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)”

Screen Print: Fabric

with Ben Etten and Michelle Lee Lagerroos
Saturday, April 13; 10am–4pm CT

Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your own unique design on a tote bag and tea towel. In this in-person workshop, learn the basics of screen printing on fabric using hand-drawn artwork, cut paper stencils, and darkroom techniques. Instruction will cover design, screen exposure, ink, and multi-color printing for fabric. Come away from the workshop with the confidence to work independently at MCBA’s Screen Print Labs Continue reading “Screen Print: Fabric”

Spring Pop-Up Cards

with Rosemary Rae
Tuesday, April 16; 6–9pm CT

Pop-up cards are fun to make and even more fun to share! In this virtual workshop, explore an accessible method for making pop-up structures you can embellish with images—your own or those provided electronically by the teaching artist—to create lush, imaginary gardens and other fanciful spring scenes. This process can also be a helpful way to play with adding dimension to two-dimensional artwork. Continue reading “Spring Pop-Up Cards”

DIY Papermaking at Home

with Sophia Hotzler
Wednesday, April 17; 6–8:30pm CT

Want to make paper at home but not sure where to start? In this virtual workshop, learn the process of making paper pulp with repurposed paper (newspapers, computer printouts, and artwork—old drawings or prints that you are ready to part with). Make your own basic mould and deckle with supplies that can be found in your home or at a local store. Learn how to set up a basic at-home papermaking space and gain fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to confidently explore and experiment with pulp and paper. This workshop will be part lecture and part guided demonstration. Participants are encouraged to follow along with the demonstrations to make their own pulp, mould, and deckle, but it is not required. There may be time to pull a few sheets of paper during the workshop before learning how to properly empty the vat and store leftover pulp for future use. Continue reading “DIY Papermaking at Home”

Letterpress 4: Editioning

with Jason Yoh
Thursdays: April 18 & 25; 6–9pm CT

Letterpress 4: Editioning focuses on planning and printing an edition (or a group of identical prints). Printing an edition starts with making design decisions: choosing ink color, paper, edition size, typefaces, etc. Then, artists need to prepare for printing by cutting paper, preparing images, setting and proofing type, etc. This in-person workshop will offer beginning printers strategies for creating an edition, including how to plan a project and how to make an edition of consistent prints. The teaching artist will share an example of an editioned project she created from start to finish. Then, in pairs, plan and print a small book (using an exercise to create content). Procedures for maintaining a community print studio will be reviewed in addition to basic press operation, care, and safety. This workshop is an excellent refresher and opportunity to get reacquainted with MCBA’s presses and print studio. To register for this workshop, participants must have taken Letterpress 1, 2, and 3. Continue reading “Letterpress 4: Editioning”