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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Paper Beater Training: December 2

Saturday, December 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: December 2”

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Art Practice Circle: December

with Laura Brown
Tuesday, December 5; 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 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.). Continue reading “Art Practice Circle: December”

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Marbling Focus: Stone & Moire

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, December 9; 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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Introduction to Marbling: December

with Michelle Blodgett
Saturday, December 16; 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: December”

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Paper Beater Training: January 6

Saturday, January 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: January 6”

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Introduction to Marbling: January

with Heather RJ Fletcher
Saturday, January 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: January”

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European Papermaking

with Bridget O’Malley
Saturday, January 20; 10am–4pm and Sunday, January 21; 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, January 23; 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. An MCBA staff member 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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Papermaking for Preschoolers: Pulp Masterpieces!

with Ellen Ferrari
Saturday, January 27; 10am–12pm CT

Meet two painters in When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden. Learn to make paper with a mould screen, deckle frame, and cotton paper pulp. Then, “paint” pulp masterpieces using eye droppers and paint in a rainbow of colors! Use colorful yarn, flower petals, and paper pieces to create additional artistic effects. 

In this in-person workshop, preschoolers learn how paper is made; work with specialized tools like a vat, cotton pulp, moulds and deckles; and build fine motor skills by forming, decorating, and pressing sheets of paper. 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.

Please wear clothing/shoes fit for wet work (e.g. rain boots, clogs, water resistant shoes).

Continue reading “Papermaking for Preschoolers: Pulp Masterpieces!”