Category: Papermaking & Paper Marbling

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Papermaking & Paper Marbling

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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Marbling Focus: Stone & Moire

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, April 27; 10am–4pm CT

This in-person workshop focuses on honing skills needed to marble stone and moire patterns. First, refine the stone pattern technique using a combination of plastic whisks and eye droppers. Then, explore how to make specialty stone patterns using non-contaminating tank solvents. Instruction will also cover techniques to hone your skills making beautiful moire patterns. Come away with several timeless papers for bookbinding, collage, box making, letterpress, or other projects.  Continue reading “Marbling Focus: Stone & Moire”

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DIY Papermaking at Home

with Sophia Hotzler
Wednesday, May 1; 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”

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Introduction to Marbling: May

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, May 4; 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: May”

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Paper Beater Training: May 11

Saturday, May 11; 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: May 11”

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European Papermaking

with Bridget O’Malley
Saturday, May 18; 10am–4pm and Sunday, May 19; 1–4pm CT

Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop. Participants will be guided through fiber preparation, the process of using moulds and deckles to form sheets, and techniques for pressing and drying. Our focus will be on consistent sheet formation and safe, effective beater use, empowering participants with a solid grounding in materials and techniques for future independent papermaking in MCBA’s Papermaking Labs.  Continue reading “European Papermaking”

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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”

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Paper Beater Training: June 1

Saturday, June 1; 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: June 1”

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Introduction to Marbling: June

with Michelle Blodgett
Saturday, June 8; 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: June”

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Papermaking as Transformation and Storytelling for Queer Makers

with e ainsley
Thursday, June 13; 6–9pm CT

In this in-person workshop, make paper sculptures with an object of significance to you and paper ephemera—letters, journal pages, photos, and/or documents—you’ve collected over time. Start by making a silicone mold of a cherished object that you bring to the studio. Then, turn your ephemera into pulp which will fill your mold to infuse this paper sculptural object with new meaning.  Continue reading “Papermaking as Transformation and Storytelling for Queer Makers”

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Miniature Framed Paintings

with e ainsley
Saturday, June 15; 10am–4pm CT

Create a painterly paper sculpture while exploring two methods of papermaking: pulp painting and sculptural papermaking using a silicone mold. Start by making a silicone mold of a picture frame (outer dimensions no larger than 8 x 11 inches). Then, explore various styles of pulp painting through the use of stencils and freehand work. The pulp-painted sheet of paper is placed into the image area of the silicone mold and paper pulp is packed around the remaining area to form the frame. Once completely dry, the paper sculpture can be removed from the silicone mold to reveal a small pulp-painted work of art framed in paper pulp!  Continue reading “Miniature Framed Paintings”

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Japanese Papermaking: June

with Bridget O’Malley
Saturday, June 22; 10am–5pm CT

Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop. Learn fiber preparation techniques including cooking, cleaning and hand beating, sheet formation, pressing, and drying. Finished papers can be strong yet nearly translucent, and sheet size can range from 5 x 7 inches to 5 x 7 feet! Come away from the workshop with the skills needed to make Japanese paper independently during MCBA’s Papermaking Labs. Continue reading “Japanese Papermaking: June”

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Book Arts Camp! Ages 12–15

with Rachel Payne
Tuesday–Friday, July 9–12; 10am–4pm CT

Explore new art mediums in MCBA’s book arts studios! Learn four bindings and several paper decoration techniques in this four-day, in-person book arts immersion designed for ages 12–15! Start by learning the flexagon, an origami-like structure that is part book, part toy! Learn traditional side-stitch bindings, commonly referred to as Japanese, but actually developed in many East Asian countries including Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam—in Southeastern Asia. Make a tunnel book, which is a tiny diorama-like book that can be embellished with collage, drawings, and more. Last, create a perfect binding which you may find similar to a store-bought notebook, made up of sheets of paper glued together at the spine.  Continue reading “Book Arts Camp! Ages 12–15”