Workshops & Events
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
Foil adds rich gold, shiny silver, and wild holographic accents to prints and bindings. Learn how to use the hot foil stamping machines in MCBA’s bindery, aptly named Kwikprint machines.
Introduction to Marbling: February
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (February)
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.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Animated Cards
In this virtual workshop, transform flat sheets of paper into several different types of performative and entertaining paper cards.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Book Repair: Broken Cloth & Paperback Books
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged books.
European Papermaking: February
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Accordion Collage Book with Surprise Tunnel
Using ephemera, images, and scrap paper, build a unique structure that houses a folded accordion, which reveals a dimensional tunnel attached to the inside of the back cover.
Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined Reception
Join us for a reception for our current exhibition, Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: February
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
Layers in Pulp: A Stenciled Approach to Papermaking
Get ready to play with pulp! In this relaxed, hands-on studio workshop, dive into the colorful world of stenciling with pigmented pulp on freshly formed sheets of handmade paper.
Printing on the Hand Press
250 years ago, printers composed and inked type to print the first copy of the Declaration of Independence on a hand press.
Screen Print Fabric
Refresh your skills and build confidence in MCBA’s screen printing studio in this in-person workshop focused on fabric.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Paper Beater Training
If you aren't already trained to use our paper beaters, here is your opportunity!
First Saturday Tour (March)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Digital Zine Design
This virtual workshop, design zines digitally using free tools such as Google Docs, Spectrolite, and Affinity.
Cutting Equipment Orientation
If you aren't already trained to use our cutting equipment, here is your opportunity!
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Letterpress 4: Editioning
Letterpress 4: Editioning focuses on planning and printing an edition (or a group of identical prints).
Supported Book Projects: Craft in Contemporary Life
Join this unique in-person workshop designed for bookmakers with introductory-level experience and a desire to create an independent project with guidance.
Book Repair: When Paper Fails
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged paper.
Introduction to Marbling: March
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (March)
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.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Alternative Printmaking at Home
This virtual printmaking workshop focuses on using accessible materials to make prints and embellish existing art projects.
Upcycled Collage Book with Glassine Envelopes
In this virtual workshop, use recycled materials to transform glassine envelopes and a cardboard box (or other light-weight board) into a truly original book, showcasing your collage and book making techniques.
Blizzard Books
In this in-person workshop, learn to make the Blizzard Book, an innovative book structure designed by book artist Heidi Kyle.
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Screen Print: Guided Projects
Create an independent project with guidance in this unique in-person workshop designed for screen printers with introductory-level experience.
Box Building: Drawers & Dividers
Create a box that has a lid with a hinge, a divided tray, and a drawer in MCBA’s studios.
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (March)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Japanese Papermaking: March
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Coptic Binding
Explore Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used book sewing pattern.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Paper Beater Training
If you aren't already trained to use our paper beaters, here is your opportunity!
First Saturday Tour (April)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Artist’s Books from Start to Finish
This virtual workshop will take you through the process of making an artist’s book from start to finish.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Cutting Equipment Orientation
If you aren't already trained to use our cutting equipment, here is your opportunity!
Collage Test Kitchen
In this virtual workshop, learn a generative approach to collage-making that will help you explore your creative voice and learn to recognize patterns and connections in your work.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques: Morning
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Headbands: History, Use & Techniques
In this virtual workshop, learn how to make headbands for a variety of styles of bindings such as case binding, Coptic, slotted tapes, etc.
Textile Bookmaking
Join us for a sensory-rich virtual workshop and create a unique hand-sewn textile book.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Tactile Books: Fiber Arts and Bookbinding
In this in-person workshop, explore the area where fibers and book arts overlap to create truly tactile books, engaging with a variety of materials to make one-of-a-kind works that satisfy both the visual and sensual experience of the reader.
Introduction to Marbling: April
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Screen Print Cards: April
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Multicolor Woodcut Printmaking
Sharpen your technique and gain a deeper understanding of the reductive printmaking process.
A Study in Sliceforms
Build pop-up volumes using a sculptural, flexible technique in this rare in-person workshop with Chicago-based artist Shawn Sheehy.
The Pop-Up Vegetable Garden
Build a garden of delicious-looking, dimensional paper vegetables.
European Papermaking: April
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)
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.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (April)
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints focuses on printing multiple layers and building printers’ confidence using Vandercook presses through practice.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques: Evening
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Box Building Magic
In this in-person workshop, learn how to build this unique and playful structure with an artist who has fine-tuned the box design.
Marbling Focus: Nonpareil & Chevron Variations
This in-person workshop focuses on sharpening skills needed to marble nonpareil and chevron patterns.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Flag Books
Learn to make a Flag Book, an innovative and adaptable book structure that uses an accordion spine and attachable "flag" pages.
Phežúta Mniȟúha: Medicine Paper
This in-person workshop explores the incorporation of traditional Indigenous plant material with papermaking processes.
Cutting Equipment Orientation
If you aren't already trained to use our cutting equipment, here is your opportunity!
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Press Play: Free Printing Event & Open House
Join us for Press Play, an annual open house that invites participants of all ages to experience letterpress printing and book arts through hands-on activities in MCBA’s studios.
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters
In this virtual workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and walk away with a poster featuring your own lettering alphabet or your favorite letter!
Screen Print Totes
Screen print your unique design on three totes ahead of the gift-giving season!
Screen Print Lab
Prep screens and print in MCBA's darkroom and screen print studio while enjoying the fellowship of other artists.
Papermaking Lab
Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming.
Bookbinding Lab
Bookbinding Lab provides access to basic binding tools, hot foil stamping machines, buttonmaker, and large tables.
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
Cutting Equipment Orientation
If you aren't already trained to use our cutting equipment, here is your opportunity!
First Saturday Tour Template (Month)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Paper Beater Training
If you aren't already trained to use our paper beaters, here is your opportunity!
A Radical Alteration: Women’s Studio Workshop as a Sustainable Model for Art Making Gallery Tour and Reception
Join us for a gallery tour and exhibition recepetion for A Radical Alteration with visiting curator, Maymanah Farhat
Celebrating Elysa & Welcoming Courtney!
Join us as we celebrate Elysa Voshell's incredible leadership and officially welcome Courtney Gerber as MCBA's new Executive Director.
Artist Talk: In the Field
We're delighted to welcome Andrea Peterson to MCBA’s studios for a visit from northwest Indiana! Join us for an artist talk with Andrea Peterson, a papermaker who practices regenerative and sustainable methods on land that entwines her work and life.