Category: Adult Workshops

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Sign Press: Print Your Voice

with Molly Poganski
Thursday, May 9; 6–9pm CT

In this in-person workshop, learn about the history and power of the printing press as a tool for sharing information while printing your own message on a sign press! Learn the basics of setting and locking up type on the sign press. Join others in choosing ink colors and type to hand set a word or short phrase with guidance from the instructor. Each participant will print at least one copy of their message to take home—along with inspiration to keep printing!

MCBA’s sign press has a unique typesetting system that allows type to be locked up on press more quickly than on other machines. Each piece of type is slotted and held securely in place with specialized locking clips. Type can also be locked up using magnets These “quick and dirty” features make this press great for getting a message on paper speedily and without a lot of finicky typesetting.  Continue reading “Sign Press: Print Your Voice”

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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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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”

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Block Printing on Paper and Fabric

with Elaine Chu
Tuesday, May 14; 7–9pm CT

In this virtual workshop, design and carve your own custom block prints using a clever transfer technique. Then, learn how to print your block on both paper and fabric. The materials kit includes a set of cards, a drawstring bag, and a zip pouch, all of which can be printed with your unique design. Come away from the workshop with the knowledge and skills to continue printing independently with blocks on paper and fabric! Continue reading “Block Printing on Paper and Fabric”

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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”

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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”

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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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Letterpress 2: Setting Type (May)

with Bethany Rahn
Saturday, May 18; 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 (May)”

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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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Fabric Screen Print Intensive

with Ben Etten and Michelle Lee Lagerroos
Thursdays: May 23, 30 and June 6, 13, 20; 6–9pm CT

Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process—from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming. Each participant will complete a multi-layered screen print on various kinds of fabric and come away from the workshop with the confidence to work independently at MCBA’s Screen Print Labs.  Continue reading “Fabric Screen Print Intensive”

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Mechanical Postcards: Birds of a Feather

with Shawn Sheehy
Tuesday, May 28; 7–8:30pm CT

Quick! What’s a figure of speech that involves birds? (Take another look at the workshop title if you need a little help.) This whimsical trio of mechanical postcards features three different bird idioms and volvelle-based mechanisms that will help you solve the idiomatic riddles. Build each using a simple set of hand tools and a kit of pre-cut pieces. This virtual workshop is especially friendly for beginners. Perfect for bird and word nerds! Continue reading “Mechanical Postcards: Birds of a Feather”

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Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning Section

with India Johnson
Wednesdays: May 29, June 5, 12; 9am–12pm CT

In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case. An introduction to basic tools and materials will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to make these bindings again in different sizes and with other options for materials. Learn how to find the grain direction in a variety of papers along with how to score and fold paper. Get familiar with book cloth and how to handle common bookbinding adhesives. Learn methods of measuring paper and basic cutting equipment operation. Come away with a strong foundation for growing your confidence in bookbinding and the skills needed to make your own notebooks and journals at MCBA’s Bookbinding Labs. Continue reading “Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning Section”

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Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Evening Section

with India Johnson
Thursdays: May 30, June 6, 13; 6–9pm CT

In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case. An introduction to basic tools and materials will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to make these bindings again in different sizes and with other options for materials. Learn how to find the grain direction in a variety of papers along with how to score and fold paper. Get familiar with book cloth and how to handle common bookbinding adhesives. Learn methods of measuring paper and basic cutting equipment operation. Come away with a strong foundation for growing your confidence in bookbinding and the skills needed to make your own notebooks and journals at MCBA’s Bookbinding Labs. Continue reading “Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Evening Section”

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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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Erasure Poetry

with grace (ge) gilbert
Tuesdays: June 4, 11, 18; 5–6:30pm CT

Erasure poetry involves using a source document, or source text, to create a work of your own. It’s a contentious practice, but one that allows the maker to re-contextualize history, or the present, as they want it to be seen. In this virtual workshop, participants of all experience levels will learn simple, low-cost techniques in digital and mixed media erasure, and how to sustain a book-length project of erasure poetry. Each week, learn from model theorists and artists to really attune yourself to the language of the source text, and to understand your role in manipulating it. Learn from step-by-step demos, and complete a generative prompt with the option of sharing and receiving feedback. Come away from the workshop with the beginnings of a book-length project idea, simple erasure techniques, and a deeper understanding of text and image relationships.  Continue reading “Erasure Poetry”