Category: Adult Workshops

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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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Intermediate Hand Bookbinding: Evening Section

with India Johnson
Thursdays: October 10, 17, 24, 31; 6–9pm CT

In this in-person workshop, build on foundational bookbinding skills to make a hardcover book (also known as a case binding) with a rounded spine. This style of binding features decorative paper with a cloth spine and corners, known as a half binding. We will practice sewing and rounding two books, with the goal of finishing at least one book by the end of class.  Continue reading “Intermediate Hand Bookbinding: Evening Section”

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Box Building for Beginners

with Erin Maurelli
Saturday, October 12; 10am–4pm CT and Sunday, October 13; 1–4pm CT

This in-person 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”

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European Papermaking: October

with Bridget O’Malley
Saturday, October 12; 10am–4pm and Sunday, October 13; 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: October”

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Hide and Seek: Transforming Paper Toys

with Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
Wednesday, October 16; 5–8pm CT

Transform images before your very eyes! In this virtual workshop, make assorted paper toys that use transparencies and sliding panels to hide and reveal content. Make a paper flashlight to find hidden objects and a coloring book that colors itself! These fun mechanisms can be incorporated into book structures, interactive greeting cards, or party favors. Participants can design their own content or use pre-designed models. Continue reading “Hide and Seek: Transforming Paper Toys”

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Suminagashi Paper Marbling Ages 6–8

with Rachel Payne
Thursday, October 17; 1–4pm CT

Immerse yourself in suminagashi (“floating ink”) paper marbling! This in-person workshop includes the history of paper marbling across cultures—from its origins in 12th-century Japan and China to its development in Turkey to the present day—and detailed demonstrations of basic techniques and patterns. Come away with unique marbled paper that you can use to make cards, books, collage, and more! Continue reading “Suminagashi Paper Marbling Ages 6–8”

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Introduction to Marbling: October

with Olga Ricalde
Saturday, October 19; 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: October”

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Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (October)

with Bethany Rahn
Saturday, October 19; 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 (October)”

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Photos On and Off the Page

with Stephanie Wolff
Wednesday: October 23; 5–8pm CT

How do you include loose photographs, prints, or two-dimensional rectangular ephemera in a book? This virtual workshop covers a handful of methods, but concentrates on two designs for pages that can hold photos without adhesive as an integral physical part of the page. The ‘X-frame’ features rounded corners and can accommodate slightly thicker items, while the ‘Mylar frame’ includes a protective Mylar backing barrier. In both cases the photos are removable and can hold a protective Mylar overlay. Methods for mounting photos to a regular album page will also be demonstrated as time allows. Conservation and binding considerations, as well as other ways to incorporate photographs in books will also be discussed.  Continue reading “Photos On and Off the Page”

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Suminagashi

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, October 26; 10am–4pm CT

Suminagashi is a 12th-century Japanese art form and precursor to modern marbling. In this in-person workshop, participants learn the basics of this centuries-old monoprint technique, including the tools and materials it requires and the ideology shaping suminagashi. Develop a suite of patterns on paper and fabric using the natural forces of wind and vibration, and learn how to use a “frisk” (a type of resist used to prevent ink from going into certain areas). Paper is provided; however, participants may bring natural cotton or silk fabrics to experiment. Continue reading “Suminagashi”

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Advanced Side-Stitch Bindings

with Rachel Payne
Thursday, October 24; 6–9pm and Saturday, October 26; 10am–4pm CT

Learn how to make two types of advanced side-stitched bindings (also known as stab bindings)—wrapped spine and repeated patterns—in addition to methods for making neater holes, different styles of covers, and methods for designing your own bindings. Through step-by-step demonstration and visual handouts, we’ll make each sewing pattern as a group with the instructor providing individual support as needed.  Continue reading “Advanced Side-Stitch Bindings”

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Paper Beater Training: November 2

Saturday, November 2; 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: November 2”

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Instant Zines!

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with Hope Amico
Wednesday, November 6; 5–8pm CT

What is a zine? Short for fanzine, these photocopied booklets were once small magazines devoted to a certain subject. Over the years, book artists and zinesters have exploded the realm of possibility, creating everything from books of basic instruction to complicated art books. At its simplest, a tiny folded book can be made with one sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, and a pen. Once the basic form is mastered, the possibilities are endless. Continue reading “Instant Zines!”

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Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (November)

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with Erin Maurelli
Thursdays: November 7 & 14; 6–9pm CT

Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints focuses on printing multiple layers and building printers’ confidence using Vandercook presses through practice. Printing more than one layer involves printing the same piece of paper multiple times with unique forms (raised type or image) and ink colors for each layer. Careful registration to make each layer align as designed requires planning and troubleshooting.

Continue reading “Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (November)”

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Supported Book Projects: Craft in Contemporary Life

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with India Johnson
Thursdays: November 7, 14, December 5; 6–9pm CT

Want to bind a historic structure but you’re not sure where to start? Publishing your first zine or chapbook and in need of help? Or, are you interested in taking your binding skills to the next level by trying to make your own headbands, or working with a new material—like parchment—for the first time? Join this unique in-person workshop designed for bookmakers with introductory-level experience and a desire to create an independent project with guidance. 

Continue reading “Supported Book Projects: Craft in Contemporary Life”