STANDARD
YOUTH WORKSHOPS
Book
arts are a vibrant visual and literary form of expression that
is truly interdisciplinary in nature. At Minnesota
Center for Book Arts, flexible lesson plans
and knowledgeable staff allow you to integrate book
arts with your existing curriculum. Our teaching style
offers a mix of direct instruction and individual
creative expression. Standard workshops are held both
in the MCBA studios and in schools, libraries and
community centers.
WE GO TO SCHOOLS
Whether for one class or your entire school, MCBA
standard youth workshops can be held at our studios
or at your school. For a more in-depth book arts experience,
consider starting with a papermaking or printing workshop
at MCBA studios and completing your bookmaking workshop
back at school.
Papermaking
and printing workshops are held at our studios. Bookbinding
workshops are held at our studios and at offsite locations.
MCBA instructors can bring all bookbinding materials
and tools to your classroom, library or community
center.
WHY
BOOK ARTS?
Adding book arts to your curriculum will help engage your
students in:
- Hands-on
learning through artistic process
- Creative
and personal expression
- Deeper
understanding of a subject matter
- Pride
in personal accomplishments
- Collaborations
with other students and across subjects
- An
understanding of the creative process
- Discovery
of a new art form
- Critical
and visual thinking skills
STUDENTS
SUCCEED
The book arts dwell in the visual arts, yet students
typically don't feel they need to be an artist in
order to create their own book. The book form provides
a familiar, accessible starting place for students.
Our experienced artist-instructors take students through
a step-by-step process leading to the successfull
completing of their own book arts project.
WORKSHOP NOTES
- Each workshop
is planned so that students successfully complete the structure. Plan additional
time at MCBA or in your classroom to complete page design and decoration.
Ask about extended workshops if you would like to work on your books at MCBA.
- Workshops
are offered year-round Tuesday through Friday and other days
upon request.
- MCBA
studios can accommodate a group of up to 30 students
or multiple groups of up to 100 students.
- One
chaperone is required for every 10 students. Chaperones
play a vital role in assisting students and are
not charged admission.
- Dress
for mess! Casual clothes and rubber-soled shoes
are recommended.
- MCBA
studios are accessible to all. Please let us know
about special needs when registering.
- Workshop prices vary based on the cost of materials used and the length of the workshop.
- 10
percent discount on fall workshops!
HOW SCHOOLS HAVE INTEGRATED BOOKS ARTS INTO THEIR CURRICULUM GOALS
Click on the links below to find out how other teachers have integrated their existing curriculum goals with the visual and literary excitement of the book arts.
Hazel Park Middle School, St. Paul
University Ave. Elementary School, Blaine
WORKSHOP
DESCRIPTIONS
Single activity workshops are listed below.
Consider pairing workshops to create a unique learning
experience for your students!
PRINTING
Class Font: Print a Poster
This workshop is a great introduction to the history of written communication and letterpress printing through a collaborative printing project. After discussing themes and typographic styles, each student will design one letter to mount on the printing press. The result is a unique limited edition class font poster. Each student will have the opportunity to crank the press handle and print his or her individual copy of the class poster.
Grades K-12
1 hour
$5 per person
$100 group minimum
Pressure Printing
Experience the power of multiples in printmaking. Through a process of paper
cutting and collaged paper, each student will create their own multi-tone
print design. Students will print multiple copies of their individual design
on a Vandercook printing press. Pair pressure prints with a book project! Choose
from many formats: note cards, large postcards, 8" x 10" prints, accordion
books, and meander books.
Grades 3-12
1.5 hours
$5.75 per person
$115 group minimum
PAPERMAKING & DECORATION
Introduction to Papermaking
Students learn the process of turning plants - from papyrus to today's commercial
wood pulp - into paper. Using authentic Western papermaking tools, each student
holds a mould and deckle to pull wet paper pulp to make a sheet of cotton paper.
Grades K-12
1 hour
$5 per person
$100 group minimum
Exploring Papermaking
Embossing, handprints, shaped papers, double sided papers, and decorative inclusions allow students to explore a new papermaking technique! Ask about creating your own customized initial embossing. Choose the papermaking experience that best fits your class curriculum. This workshop gives students more time to experiment with the techniques of your choice. Ask about combining your handmade papers with a bookbinding project.
Grades 2-12
1.5 hours
$6 per person
$120 group minimum
Paper Marbling
For centuries paper marbling was a highly guarded secret. At MCBA your students can discover the rich tradition of paper marbling as they marble sheets of paper that can be used in future classroom projects. Both classical Western design marbling and traditional Japanese suminagashi workshops are available. Consider enhancing a bookbinding workshop with hand-marbled paper.
Grades 3-12
1 hour
$130 per group for 1 hour
$160 per group for 1.5 hours
Up to 16 students per group. MCBA's paper marbling workshop can accommodate up
to two groups for a total of 32 students at one time. It's a great workshop
for smaller groups.
Pulp
Painting
Combine the art and science of papermaking with painting.
After pulling a sheet of cotton paper, each student
will create a rich image using an assortment of finely
pigmented (colored) pulp and stencils. Completed pieces
look great by themselves or combined into a group
project. This workshop allows students to learn traditional
Western papermaking as they explore an aspect of contemporary
paper art.
Grades
2-12
1.5
hours
$7.25 per person
$145 per group
BOOKBINDING
Accordion Books
Found in both ancient and contemporary bookbinding traditions, the versatile accordion book is created by folding a long sheet of paper to create individual pages. This structure allows the viewer to read a page at a time or to view the entire book at a glance. A structure for all ages, the accordion is limited only by the imagination. Three age-appropriate formats are available. New: accordion with a pop-out insert available for grades 3 and up. Enhance this workshop with additional techniques such as pop-ups, sewn pages or hidden pages.
Grades K-12
1-2 hours
$5.25-8.50 per person
$105-170 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
Enhance this workshop with handmade paper covers, sewn
pages, hidden pages, or pop-ups.
Tunnel Books
Whether you choose the single section tunnel with cover and writing
space, the expansive multi-section tunnel, or the hard-cover meander
tunnel book, your students will be encouraged to think creatively to
combine text and images. A single section tunnel in a larger landscape
format allows for an expansive image and more writing surface. Great
for younger students. No matter what the topic or size, tunnel books
draw in the reader and creator to learn more.
Grades K-12
1-2 hours
$4.75-8.75 per person
$95-175 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
Colorful cover-weight papers available upon request
Petal Fold Books
This sculptural book has petal-shaped pages inspired by origami. Choose between
the circular star format or the linear bridge format. A photocopier template
for composing text is available prior to your workshop to create easy collaborative
books. A versatile book form, the star format is easily turned into a color
wheel book or Valentine heart book. Add a tassel and the bridge format turns
into a graduation book.
Grades 3-12
1-1.5 hours
$5.00-6.75 per person
$100-135 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
We can photocopy student writing for a fee
Usually offered with bright colored pages. Specific colors available upon request.
Flag Books
Surprise your students and challenge them to incorporate text and images
in a non-traditional book structure. Using an accordion spine, this structure
has small alternating pages that wave like flags in the wind and open to
reveal a hidden illustration or message. It's a fun book for poems,
riddles and question/answer formats. The extended format is challenging
for high school students. Two new variations of this popular book are the
Butterfly Book and the Whole-Page Flag Book.
Grades 2-12
1-2.5 hours
$4.75-9.00 per person
$95-180 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
Ask about
extended ABC books
Simple Pop-Out Books
Stretch your students' idea of what a book can be. One
sheet of paper with a little folding and cutting is
transformed into a house, a barn, a castle, a wigwam,
a fish, an airplane - the possibilities are endless.
In addition to making a great first pop-out book,
your students will practice their listening skills
as they learn how to fold and use a template successfully.
With space for writing, this is a great book for younger
students. Available in a standard or large size.
Grades K-12
1 hour
$4.25-4.75 per person
$85-95 group minimum
Pop-Up
Books
Explore the third dimension in bookmaking through paper engineering. Create a
simple portrain or a tower base that tranforms into animals, real or fanciful.
Explore a variety of pop-up techniques to create a landscape scene. From the
simple to the elaborate, there is a pop-up book that will fit your curriculum
and inspire your students. New: Interactive Landscape Pop-up.
Grades K-12
1-2 hours
$5.00-8.75 per person
$100-175 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
Accordion Pocket Folder
An accordion book taken one fold further, the four-pocket folder is a great way to support student writing with text cards, hold project materials or to use as an interactive classroom tool. Available in two sizes. A+ Idea: sew in pages to make a journal!
Grades K-12
1-2 hours
$4.50-9.25 per person
$90-185 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
A+Idea: sew in pages to make a journal!
Folders to Books: The Japanese Paper Folder
This Japanese folder is a single piece of paper folded several times to create multiple pockets. By itself it is perfect to hold papers or cards. Add sewn pages to create a softcover book. Utilize the many pockets for a great research journal. The small format is the perfect size to hold CDs!
Grades 3-12
1-1.5 hours
$5-6.50 per student
$100-130 group minimum
Dos-a-Dos
Two books in one! There are two different formats to choose from. The traditional
dos-a-dos opens in two opposite directions; each is sewn with Western pamphlet
pages. Not only does this offer plenty of writing space, it provides a format
to write from different perspectives; one voice from the first side and a
second from the opposite side. The landscape dos-a-dos combines Eastern and
Western book binding traditions. Open the landscape dos-a-dos from one direction
to find the traditional Western sewn pages. Open the other side to an Eastern-style
accordion fold that lends itself to landscape scenes or single sheets for
charts, graphs or pictures.
Grades 3-12
1.5-2.5 hours
$6.50-10.00 per person
$130-200 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
JOURNALS & CLASSROOM
PUBLISHING
Sketchbook/Journal
This classic hardcover book is a great introduction to Western bookbinding
techniques. Students often experience a sense of accomplishment when they
bind the traditional personal book. This blank book is perfect for future
writing or drawing activities. Completed student writing may also be bound.
Grades 3-12
1-2.5 hours
$5.50-10.75 per person
$110-215 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or hardcover
Pockets
and/or a CD holder may be added upon request
Ask
about page layout for student writing
Stab Binding
Students will learn an Eastern bookbinding technique with this simple
yet elegant design, well-suited for single sheets.
Students make a blank book and learn a binding skill they can easily apply
to future school projects. Ideal for publishing student writing. New: Advanced
decorative stitching available for high school students. New: Advanced
decorative stitching available for high school students.
Grades 3-12
1 hour
$5.00-6.25 per person
$100-125 group minimum
Options:
Available in two sizes
Publishing
and template available for student writing.
Post-Bound
Portfolio
Not just for photo albums, the versatile hinged screw-post binding is useful for gathering single sheets to use as a portfolio, journal, or to publish student writing. The removable screw post allows for addition, subtraction and reordering of pages in the classroom. Two sizes are available. Holes can be spaced to allow standard 3-hole punched paper in the large format.
Grades 3-12
1-2.5 hours
$6.75-15.50 per person
$135-310 group minimum
Options:
Softcover or Hardcover
EASY WAYS TO ADD MORE PAGES
- Most projects you see here start with a standard 8
sheets of paper - that can equal up to 32 usable pages!
- The structure of the traditional dos-a-dos already
has 16 sheets of paper - twice the number of most
other structures.
- The post-bound portfolio is quite versatile - adjust
the length of your screw posts to the thickness of
your pages.
- In a stab binding, adding more pages will simply
require MCBA staff to drill holes in the pages before
your workshop.
- The sketchbook journal need not be only 8 sheets
of paper. For more pages, ask about a double or multipler
signature book. A signature is a section of 8 pages
folded in half.
CUSTOM
WORKSHOPS
Don't see exactly what you are looking for? We can customize a project to suit
your needs.
- Design
a richer learning experience for your students by
combining workshops. Suggestions include using prints,
marbled papers or handmade paper as the covers for
hardcover books.
- Enhance
your workshops by adding an Open Book building tour.
This walking tour of our building exposes students
to the larger literary community.
- Rental
space is available at a small fee to accommodate
bag lunches.
For further
information, please contact Jill Weese,
Youth Workshops Program Coordinator, at 612.215.2529.
