Workshops and Instructors:

Many of the artists in this show also offer workshops. Institutions and students looking for new approaches to making artist books can find a pool of talented instructors. If you are looking to spice up your book arts program, read the descriptions below and contact the instructors to set up workshops.

Debbi Crane, humblebeebooks,
1602½ J Street, Bedford IN 47421, 812-279-2501,
craned@dmrtc.net.
$350/day + material fees + travel expenses.

Coptic Bound Journals: In this one-day class students will learn the Coptic stitch, a paper-dyeing technique that replicates leather and complete two blank books with closures. Students may choose to finish one of the books as a small handbag, embellished with a variety of beads, fiber and vintage buttons. The books measure approximately 3” x 4” x 1”.

Miniature Journal Samplers: In the space of one day, students will create eight different miniature book structures and two boxes with dividers and lids to house them. A variety of folded, sewn and adhesive techniques will be explored, as well as closures. Students will be encouraged to individualize their books and boxes with color, image and three-dimensional embellishments. A collection of examples will be provided for inspiration. The finished books will be 3” x 3”, with the boxes measuring approximately 7” x 7”.

Peggy Johnston, 1246 46th Street, Des Moines IA 50311, (515) 279-2058,
lgjohonston@att.net
$350/day + material fees + travel expenses. 12 student maximum.

Vademecum: Vedemecum means “go with me” in Latin. You might think of this structure as the forerunner of the modern PDA, since it can store a lot of information in a small amount of space. The book has tooled leather covers and a braided thong loop for hanging from one’s belt. The folded pages open out upside down to display information that can be read while still attached to the wearer. Doctors back in the Middle Ages used this book. The pages held information and charts to help with diagnoses. 1-2 days, $60 materials fee.

Piano Hinge Binding: Spend an evening making a variation of the piano hinge binding. The flexible, sculptural book is tear-shaped, with an extra thick spine and purposely-warped covers. This structure is an innovative photo album or journal that can also be enjoyed as a sculptural object. The finished size of the book will be approximately 5 ½” square. Several hours to a full day, $15.00 materials fee.

Keepsake Flag Book: Create a fabulously flexible, sculptural book using such things as Window shades, tape, and stamp envelopes. The book will be capable of containing your thoughts and the ephemera that goes with them. Bring along any small flat objects that you would like to add to the book. One day, $20 materials fee.

Ann Kronenberg, 424 East 73rd Street, New York NY 10021, (212) 988-1476,
annkronenberg@yahoo.com,
$550 (2-day) or $750 (3-day) + material fees + travel expenses.

Deep Space: Three-Dimensional Book Formats: In this workshop we will make models of a variety of books structures—both simple and complex—which use either layered accordions or pop-up layers to enhance the three-dimensionality of scenic imagery. We will also consider techniques for creating handmade images or adapting found imagery (collage) to create coherent, easily readable scenes with naturalistic spatial relationships. Bookmaking experience is helpful, but not necessary. $7 materials fee for 2-day, or $9 materials fee for 3-day workshop.

A New Diorama Book Structure: Multilayer Interlocking Slotted Accordions: In this workshop, we will make models of several versions of this new diorama structure developed by the instructor from the simple interlocking slotted accordion structure. Variations include two-layer even dioramas, two-layer uneven dioramas, four-layer one-sided and two-sided diorama structures, and three-layer one-sided and two-sided diorama structures. Techniques for using imagery in this structure to create either a series of scenes or a panorama will be considered. We will also consider techniques for creating handmade images or adapting found imagery (collage) to create coherent, easily readable scenes with naturalistic spatial relationships. Bookmaking experience is helpful, but not necessary. $7 materials fee for 2-day, or $9 materials fee for 3-day workshop.

Emily Martin, 742 7th Avenue S., Iowa City IA 52240, (319) 338-7266, Fax (319) 338-5741,
emilyjmartin@mchsi.com, www.emilymartin.com,
$300/day + material fees + travel expenses.

Changing Wheels, Image Dissolves, and Slides: A one-day workshop introducing the various techniques used by paper engineers to make one image change into another. The secrets of Victorian wheels, turning wheels, slides and dissolves will all be revealed. Using provided patterns; students will construct models of these techniques and then progress to constructing their own movable images using their own drawings and/or photographs.

Flexagons: A one or two day workshop exploring and explaining the many varieties of flexagons. Flexagons are mathematical models made of folded paper. Math phobics feat not, all will be revealed! Hidden inside each flexagon are concealed faces, which appear, disappear and reappear as the flexagon is manipulated. These fascinating structures present many possibilities for combining words and images. Students will make models and also construct their own examples using their own drawings, photographs, rubber stamps, collages etc.

Jacob's Ladders: A one or two day workshop introducing the basic techniques of this structure. It’s a toy, it’s a book, it’s a Jacob’s ladder! This 2,000-year-old Chinese toy has many wonderful applications for contemporary artist bookmakers. The book can be read straight through like any accordion book or hold one end and flip the ladder sections to reveal the hidden scenes. Construction and operation of the Jacob’s ladder will be fully explained. Students will assemble a model of the structure and make their own individual examples using their own drawings, photographs, rubber stamps, collages etc.

Emily Reiser, 632 Sheridan Sq. #3, Evanston IL 60202, (847) 492-9886,
emily@reiserdesign.com, www.emilyreiser.com
$350/day + material fees + travel expenses. 15 student maximum.

Captured in Resin: Much like the ancient amber that encased delicate insects and preserved them for millions of years, resin can hold and protect your treasures. Epoxy resin is a versatile medium that can be applied to many art forms, from sculpture to books and paintings. In this class I will show a variety of examples and demonstrate techniques for using the resin as a sculptural medium and also as a protective covering. You will want to bring some small three-dimensional elements as well as your favorite scraps of paper or images. If you would like to use a photograph in your imagery, you should bring a color copy of it. We will experiment with different containers for the resin (non-porous is best) so feel free to bring any odd containers with you; we will provide some as well.

Making Book Cloth: Are you finding that the book cloth you've been buying isn't giving you that same old feeling? Is the spark gone? Well, it's time to learn to make your own. Book cloth is simple to make and the difference between the homemade kind and the store bought stuff is like comparing a gourmet meal to a TV dinner. In this class we will make paper backed book cloth in the traditional way. So, start shopping now for those gorgeous fabrics and start cutting up those old clothes in the back of the closet! Just make sure it is your own closet.

Photo Transfers: I started using photo transfers in my work because I love using techniques that are simple and employ tools that are readily available. I have collected a plethora of transfer techniques—for black & white, color copies and images from laser printers. Most of techniques are non-toxic and can be done in your kitchen sink ... or with kids! These techniques are a must for collage and book artists.

Peter and Donna Thomas, 260 15th Avenue Santa Cruz CA 95062, (408) 475-1455,
peteranddonna@cruzio.com
$350/day + material fees + travel expenses. 15 student maximum.

Exploring the Miniature Book: Innovative structures: The doweled flap book: This six-hour workshop will explore the exciting world of miniature books. Instructors will show the group about 50 miniature books made in the last 3 centuries, and explain a bit about the history of the miniature book. Participants will then make a miniature book with a unique and innovative "stick structure" binding created by Peter and Donna Thomas. This will be a doweled flap book which they have used in their editions of Forty, Paradise, and their artist book Connoisseur. The class will also construct another book form developed by the Thomases, a dowel hinged non-adhesive paper folder binding. All materials will be provided including Peter's handmade paper and various soft and hardwoods. This will be fun and informative workshop. $15 materials fee.

Exploring the Miniature Book and the dowelled scroll binding: This workshop will explore the exciting world of miniature books. Instructors will show the group about 50 miniature books made in the last 3 centuries, and explain a bit about the history of the miniature book. Each participant will be given a catalog from the Miniature Book Society’s 1999 competition. Participants will then make a unique and innovative "stick structure" binding created by Peter and Donna Thomas: a doweled scroll binding, based on the structure first used for their 1994 book 1000 Mile Walk to the Gulf which was featured in the Dressing the Text show. Participants should bring artist supplies to create the text for the book. All materials will be provided. We will be using Peter’s handmade paper and various hard or soft woods. $15 materials fee.

Val Van Sice, 2208 Murray Hill #4, Cleveland, OH, (216) 231-0102,
vansice@ameriworld.net,
$325/day + material fees + travel expenses.

Books as Vessels: Books throughout history have contained the ideas that people thought most important to pass down. Around the world, people created different forms out of their own circumstances and intended uses. As a result, how a book works, appears, and was used reveals the values and thought processes of the people they served. We will make four books from China, India, Latin America, and Japan. For the artist today, these forms present unique opportunities for content. They are also simple enough to be good candidates for editioning, and participants will choose one form to make multiples of their own content for trade. Please bring any visual materials you would like to use or draw inspiration from sketchbook (found or made patterns) and a short piece of writing (your own or a selection). One day, $10 materials fee.

Papyrus Making: Used for four thousand years and well traveled via the silk road, papyrus was an ingenious solution to the problem of how to make writing portable. We will spend the day making a supply, talk about what to do with it after it is dry, and also where to get more materials. One day, $15 materials fee.