Binding & Boxmaking

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.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


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”

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”

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”

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!”

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”

Moving Circles: Volvelles

with Stephanie Wolff
Wednesday, April 24; 5–8pm CT

Volvelles, sometimes known as wheel charts, are tools to help explain complex concepts and relationships. These structures have been used in historic books, promotional materials, devices to aid computation, as well as artistic applications. Two or more circles turn to show information through cut out windows. This virtual workshop covers a basic version of a volvelle and discussion of variations and ideas about incorporating content. Our focus will be on making models and learning how these devices function to create more complex and finished versions after the workshop. Examples of volvelles made by the teaching artist and others will be shown to help participants imagine possibilities for their own creations. Volvelles make engaging, interactive artist’s books. They can also make for playful and meaningful gifts to celebrate a friend or family member’s milestone—a birthday, graduation, or other special occasion. Continue reading “Moving Circles: Volvelles”

East Asian Stab Bindings

with Rachel Payne
Saturdays: April 27 & May 4; 1–4pm CT

Stab bindings feature single sheets bound with decorative, exposed sewing at the spine. Often referred to as Japanese, the stab binding was developed in many East Asian countries including Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam—in Southeast Asia. The earliest known stab bindings date back to at least the 15th century—the Ming dynasty in China and the Sengoku period in Japan—and are still made today. We will briefly discuss the history of these bindings as well as the materials involved: mulberry paper, thread, needle, and awl. Learn several traditional patterns and one or two nontraditional patterns including “ledger,” “four eyes,” “noble,” “tortoise,” and more if time allows. Through step-by-step demonstration and visual handouts, we’ll walk through each sewing pattern as a group with the instructor providing individual support as needed.  Continue reading “East Asian Stab Bindings”

Mechanical Spine Binding

with María Carolina Ceballos
Tuesdays: May 7 & 14; 4:30–6:30pm CT

In this virtual workshop, learn how to create a simple, non-adhesive binding with a mechanical spine that collapses when the book is opened on a flat surface. This elegant binding lays flat when fully open, which makes it ideal for personalized sketchbooks, journals, and artists’ books. First, learn an uncomplicated French stitch to sew the sections and covers of the book together. Then, construct the spine and attach it to the sewn book. Basic binding experience is required, including measuring, cutting, and folding paper, as well as a familiarity with tools such as a utility knife, bone folder, sewing needle, and awl. Continue reading “Mechanical Spine Binding”

Box Building for Beginners

with Erin Maurelli
Wednesdays: May 8, 15, 22, 29; 7–9pm CT

This virtual workshop is perfect for anyone new to book arts who would like to learn something a little different. Building boxes with high-density board, often called “book board,” is a time-honored tradition within book arts. Hand-built boxes serve many functions, from holding tools to preserving fragile books. Participants will learn the basics of box building while creating two unique boxes with lids. Continue reading “Box Building for Beginners”

Sculptural Book Lab

with India Johnson
Thursdays: May 9, 16, 23; 6–9pm CT

Explore the book as sculpture in this in-person workshop. Consider the book’s objectness in terms of volume, weight, and space/location. Get inspired by images of sculptural books and book installations by a variety of artists in each session. Then, learn how to make a sculptural book or a book structure that lends itself well to installation. For example, it may be constructed of many folded units that can be arranged sequentially on a wall. Experiment with ideas based on what you learned in addition to guided prompts that push you to think about books in three dimensions.

At the end of the workshop, participants will be guided through the process of installation, presentation (this includes photographing work and drafting “wall text” to label your work for potential exhibitions), and lighting a sculptural bookwork in MCBA’s bindery and reference library before taking home finished work. Friendly group feedback may be shared, if time allows. Continue reading “Sculptural Book Lab”

Cutting Equipment Orientation: May 14

Tuesday, May 14; 6:30-7:30pm CT

If you aren’t already trained to use our cutting equipment, here is your opportunity! Through hands-on training you will learn the capabilities of each piece of MCBA’s bindery cutting equipment, and how to use them correctly and safely. Completion of this training will allow you to rent this equipment and use it independently. This orientation was previously titled Cutting Equipment Training. Studio Labs are not eligible for Certificate credit.

Continue reading “Cutting Equipment Orientation: May 14”

Toroidal (Circle) Accordion

with Stephanie Wolff
Wednesday, May 15; 5–8pm CT

A circle? A donut? A torus! Whatever you think of when you see this accordion, the shape has lots of fun possibilities for content. When open, it’s donut-shaped; when folded up, it’s a wedge—like a piece of pie without the tip. In this virtual workshop, learn how to draw out the form, cut and fold, and make a simple wrapper for your own toroidal accordion! Our focus will be on making a model that participants can use as a reference for making more accordions after the workshop. A drawing compass is required, but no advanced math is involved. Continue reading “Toroidal (Circle) Accordion”

Book Repair: When Paper Fails

with Rachel Payne
Saturday, May 18; 9am–4pm CT

In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged paper. Begin with an overview of basic and historical paper-treatment methods, then find inspiration in books and papers participants bring to the workshop to learn specific techniques for treating paper that is dirty, bent, curled, folded, dog-eared, taped, or torn. These methods and techniques will give you the skills you need to care for your personal collection and to begin your journey into book repair. Instruction and demonstrations will take place throughout the day with time for one-to-one guidance on individual repair projects. Bring in aged and damaged paper and books that you would like to evaluate and treat.  Continue reading “Book Repair: When Paper Fails”

Art Share for MCBA Members

with Anika Schneider
Tuesday, May 21; 6:30–8:30pm CT

Art Share provides MCBA members an opportunity to connect and inspire each other’s creative practice. Join other MCBA members in MCBA’s studios and take turns sharing about your artwork and responding to others’ artwork in a safe and supportive space. MCBA’s Director of Exhibitions & Artist Programs will facilitate and watch the time for each speaker, but it is up to each artist to direct the conversation during their designated time, when they can choose to share or ask questions and receive feedback from the group. Continue reading “Art Share for MCBA Members”