Category: Binding & Boxmaking

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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.

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Art Practice Circle: October

with Laura Brown
Tuesday, October 3; 7–8:30pm CT

Art Practice Circle meets virtually and offers a friendly community space to listen and share about artmaking. The benefits of connecting with fellow makers are multiple: to inspire and encourage one another, to be an audience for one another’s work and creative process, and to move our work forward by talking about it out loud. This monthly gathering will provide time for each person to share about their work—a particular work in progress, an idea that needs exploring, or a struggle with a specific work—as well as a conversation about what inspires us and strategies for tracking progress. Recommended for those who practice some form of book arts (book/paper/print) or related process (such as calligraphy, papercutting, marbling, etc.).

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Dos-à-Dos Binding

with Rosae Reeder
Wednesday, October 4; 5–8pm CT

In this virtual workshop, learn how to create books that are bound together—sharing a back cover—and open in opposite directions. First, create a simple single-page dos-à-dos to get familiar with the concept of the structure. Next, make a softcover book with two sections sewn in. Finally, create a hardcover dos-à-dos structure with a sewn open spine. The stories or imagery in these versatile books can be viewed as one continuous story, or as two parallel stories. Basic binding skills are helpful, but not required. Continue reading “Dos-à-Dos Binding”

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Cutting Equipment Orientation: October 10

Tuesday, October 10; 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.

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Copyright 101: Rights and Permissions for Artists

with Suzanne Glémot
Tuesday, October 10; 7–9pm CT

Publishing is essentially the activity of making information available to the public, whether for sale or free of charge. Depending on their context, art practices like printing and calligraphy can be considered forms of publishing. Because of copyright, artists working in these techniques are responsible for securing formal permission to use and work with text and/or images not originally their own.

In this virtual workshop, we’ll dig into copyright as it works in the US, what it protects, and when artists need to obtain permissions from copyright owners. We’ll cover the public domain, the fair use doctrine, and unusual cases like song lyrics and epigraphs. We’ll also walk through how to request permission for copyrighted material from authors or publishers. Participants will come away from this session with a base of knowledge and resources towards addressing copyright in their future projects. Continue reading “Copyright 101: Rights and Permissions for Artists”

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Introduction to Hand Bookbinding (Morning Session)

with India Johnson
Wednesdays: October 11, 18, 25; 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 Session)”

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Box Building for Beginners

with Erin Maurelli
Wednesdays: October 11, 18, 25, November 1; 7–9pm CT

This 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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Introduction to Hand Bookbinding (Evening Session)

with India Johnson
Thursdays: October 12, 19, 26; 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 Session)”

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Magic Box of Mysteries

with Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
Tuesdays: October 17 & 24; 6–8:30pm CT

Mystify and mesmerize with this magic box of mysterious toys and tricks! In this two-session virtual workshop, learn the secrets of this magic wallet box containing a hidden compartment. Open the magic box to reveal a hypnotizing optical paper toy. Then, close the box and open again to unveil an entirely different set of paper toys, including a volvelle, flexagon, and thaumatrope. How does it work, you ask?! Through the magic of book arts, all will be revealed. Continue reading “Magic Box of Mysteries”

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A History of the Book for Book Artists

with Rebecca Hranj
Saturdays: October 21 & 28; 1–4pm 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”

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Bookmaking for Preschoolers: Magical Kingdom!

with Ellen Ferrari
Saturday, November 25; 10am–12pm CT

Rally royalty for Jean Gralley’s Yonderfel’s Castle and build a pop-up castle book of your very own! Make a magic wand book for your court magician featuring a “petal-fold” technique, a stick, and a little binding magic. Learn how to make a book from a folded piece of paper, called an “M-fold,” to create a dragon book as tall as you to guard the drawbridge. Last, create a crown book to wear at formal court occasions using a “donut-fold” binding.

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.

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Bookmaking for Preschoolers: Snow Play!

with Ellen Ferrari
Saturday, December 16; 10am–12pm CT

Kate Spohn’s Snow Play will get us ready to make a blizzard of books! Fold a round, fluffy snowball book while learning how to make a book from a folded piece of paper, called an “M-fold.” Build a sled book with runners, featuring the “stick-binding.” Construct a snow fort book that sparkles in the sun and features the “tunnel-fold” technique. Last, make an “M-fold”-on-a-stick book that looks like a mug of hot chocolate!

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: Snow Play!”