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

with India Johnson
Thursdays: March 21, 28, April 4, 11; 6–9pm CT

In this in-person workshop, build on foundational bookbinding skills to make two hardcover books (also known as case bindings) with a rounded spine. The two books will be bound the same way except for variations with the cover: One book features a cloth spine and decorative paper sides (known as a quarter binding), while the other pairs decorative paper with a cloth spine and corners (known as a half binding). Continue reading “Intermediate Hand Bookbinding”

Letterpress 3: Two-Color Postcards

with Jason Yoh
Thursdays: March 21 & 28; 6–9pm CT

Letterpress 3: Two-Color Postcards 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. In this in-person workshop, learn how to choose colors and mix ink as well as techniques for adjusting color on the press to create unique effects. Participants will also be introduced to MCBA’s larger Vandercooks, the 219 and Uni 3, which have the capacity to print larger forms and can be more comfortable for taller printers. Procedures for maintaining a community print studio will be reviewed in addition to basic press operation, care, and safety.  Continue reading “Letterpress 3: Two-Color Postcards”

European Papermaking

with Bridget O’Malley
Saturday, March 23; 10am–4pm and Sunday, March 24; 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”

Letterpress 2: Setting Type

with Erin Maurelli
Saturday, March 23; 10am–4pm CT

This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press. Learn how to navigate MCBA’s type collection, how type is stored and organized, and how to arrange it in a composing stick for setting a text. Training will be provided on line justification, kerning (space between letters and words), and methods for holding type together (or “locking up” a form) for printing. Procedures for maintaining a community type collection and print studio will also be covered, in addition to a review of basic press operation, care, and safety. This workshop is an excellent refresher and opportunity to get reacquainted with MCBA’s presses and print studio. Continue reading “Letterpress 2: Setting Type”

Criss-Cross Binding (AKA Secret Belgian Binding)

with Rachel Payne
Saturdays: March 23 & 30; 1–4pm CT

Come learn this not-so-secret binding designed by Belgian bookbinder Anne Goy who named the structure “Criss-Cross Binding.” Fun fact: This structure was re-created by an English binder who didn’t know the source and decided to call it “Secret Belgian Binding,” which is what this structure is commonly referred to as today.

In this in-person workshop, learn how to make a criss-cross binding and explore how this structure uses sewing similar to that of a Jacob’s ladder to create a binding that opens flat and allows the cover to flip to the back. The criss-cross binding is great for thin books, sketchbooks, and artist’s books. Come away with one completed binding, a second partially or fully complete binding, and the know-how to make more independently after the workshop. Continue reading “Criss-Cross Binding (AKA Secret Belgian Binding)”

Screen Print: Guided Projects

with Ben Etten
Thursdays: March 28, April 11, 25; 6–9pm CT

Have an idea for a print but not sure where to start? Stuck in the middle of a project and in need of help? Or, are you interested in taking your screen printing skills to the next level? Join this unique in-person workshop designed for screen printers with introductory-level experience and a desire to create an independent project with guidance. Continue reading “Screen Print: Guided Projects”

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”

Marbling Focus: Combs & Patterns

with Parry Cadwallader
Saturday, March 30; 10am–4pm CT

This in-person workshop focuses on one of the main tools of marbling: the comb. We will discuss a variety of multi-step patterns and explore the many ways various combs can be used to create exciting and unexpected variations. Starting from basic patterns, participants will build on their fundamental marbling knowledge and end the class having learned and practiced a number of advanced patterns, allowing them to invent new patterns during future sessions at the marbling tank. Continue reading “Marbling Focus: Combs & Patterns”

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”

Ekphrastic Weaving with Paper & Poetry

with Jennifer Price
Wednesday, April 3; 6–8:30pm CT

Poetry about art, known as ekphrasis, is a longstanding form through which we can interrogate our motivations intricately. For the first half of this virtual workshop, we’ll survey a selection of ekphrastic writings before participants make paper weavings that will inspire their own self-ekphrastic poems. Paper weaving is the no-fail practice of cutting and assembling strips of paper into a perpendicular, diagonal—or any angle in between!—weave. This process allows the creative mind to go on “auto-pilot” as the composition drives itself intuitively in the flow state. For the last hour, prompts will help participants describe (with optional sharing) their paper weaving exercises through informal (free verse) or formal (haiku, sonnet, etc.) poetry. Participants will take away unique art and not just any poems, but those that reveal their creative desires, challenges, and actions. Continue reading “Ekphrastic Weaving with Paper & Poetry”

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”

Paper Beater Training: April 6

Saturday, April 6; 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: April 6”

Introduction to Marbling: April

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, April 13; 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: April”

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)

with Erin Maurelli
Saturday, April 13; 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 (April)”