Category: Related Arts

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Related Arts

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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Making Tools for Book Arts

with Rachel Payne
Saturday, July 20; 10am–4pm CT

So many tools used in the book world are specialized, meaning they are hard to find at your local arts and crafts stores. Come to this in-person workshop to learn how to make some of them at a fraction of the cost at most retailers. We will discuss how to make a laying press, wood and plexi press boards, bone folders, punching cradles, and box corner jigs. Depending on time and interests, we will also make a corner trimming jig, bent needles, and/or soft weights (also known as ‘snake weights’) with plenty of time for questions. Continue reading “Making Tools for Book Arts”

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Collecting & Creating Collage Assets

with Jennifer Price
Tuesday, July 23; 6:30–9pm CT

We can easily find or imagine collage in many applications—as content for artists’ books or graphic design, for eclectic endpapers or covers of handmade books, or to plot murals and textiles. Whether your collage practice is analog, digital, or a combination, you need assets—the materials you select and manipulate with your unique aesthetic in mind. During this virtual workshop, we will look closely at the collage asset itself by defining a strategy for sourcing found materials (like books/magazines, consumer packaging, and ephemera) and creating new ones (using techniques like mark-making, sewing, paper-weaving, and photography). First, we’ll reverse-engineer our individual collage practices by discussing how we go about acquiring assets and what those assets reveal about our histories and habits. Next, we will write “asset strategy” statements before following prompts to create or plan five to ten collage assets inspired by our opening idea swap. Continue reading “Collecting & Creating Collage Assets”

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Beaded Books

with Delia Touché
Saturday–Sunday, July 27 & 28; 10am–4pm CT

Interested in expanding your bookmaking abilities by adding surface texture with beads?! This in-person workshop focuses on how to create and adorn book cloth with size 10/0 seed beads. Participants will learn the ‘lazy stitch’ method to adhere beads onto a surface. We will learn about and utilize Coptic-stitch binding to create books out of our beaded book cloth. Coptic is a simple sewn book that is extremely flexible. Because of its ability to fold back onto itself, it is the perfect structure for sketchbooks, journals, and datebooks. We will go over different design methods for beaded patterns, beading terms, bookmaking basics, as well as the various methods to create your book cloth once the material is beaded. We will walk through each step as a group with the instructor providing individual support as needed. Continue reading “Beaded Books”

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Artist’s Books from Start to Finish

with Rosae Reeder
Wednesdays: July 31, August 7, 14, 21; 4:30–6:30pm CT

Want to make an artist’s book but don’t know how to start? Have you made artist’s books but want guidance on how to structure the process? This virtual workshop will take you through the process of making an artist’s book from start to finish. We’ll begin by demystifying and defining the book form. Then, we’ll dive into tips for ideation and idea mapping, connecting intention to execution. Instruction will cover ways to connect structure to content and how to approach the interactivity/passivity of the viewer. We’ll make models of simple structures and discuss more difficult ones. Discussion will include an overview of various mark-making and image-making methods and materials. At the end of the workshop, we’ll discuss how to plan and prepare for the final construction of your artist book. Depending on how much you’re able to work on your project outside of the workshop, you will come away with either a finished artist’s book or a working mock-up (or in-progress artist’s book) that you can use as a reference for completing your polished version after the workshop.  Continue reading “Artist’s Books from Start to Finish”

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Bilingual Bookmaking Bonanza: Ages 8–12/Locura de libritos bilingüe (edades 8–12)

with Cori Adams
con Cori Adams
Thursday, August 1; 1–4pm CT
el jueves 1 de agosto; 1–4pm CT

Join Cori Adams, Spanish immersion teacher and book artist, in a bilingual bookmaking bonanza! In this in-person workshop, unleash your imagination while creating unique books to cherish and share. Start by designing your own mini journal, where you can express your thoughts, feelings, and creativity through words, images, and mixed-media techniques. Then, create an origami star book, personalize a journal using recycled materials like calendars and magazines, or make a mini-book necklace. Through these engaging activities, students will develop their artistic skills by immersing themselves in a world of imagination, exploration, and endless possibilities! From cover to cover, this bookmaking workshop will have kids hanging on to every word (and page)!

¡Únase con Cori Adams, maestra de inmersión del español y artista, en una locura de libros! En esta sesión l@s niñ@s abrirán su imaginación mientras crean libros únicos y queridos. Empezarán por diseñar su propio mini diario, donde pueden expresar sus pensamientos, sentimientos y creatividad por palabras, imágenes y técnicas mixtas. De ahí, quizá escogen construir un libro de origami de estrellas, personalizar un diario con materiales reciclados tal como calendarios o revistas, o crear un librito para llevar como collar. A través de estas actividades fascinantes, l@s niñ@s podrán desarrollar sus habilidades artísticas al sumergirse en un mundo lleno de imaginación, exploración e infinitas posibilidades. ¡De principio a fin, este taller hará que l@s niñ@s se enganchen a cada palabra…y a cada página! Continue reading “Bilingual Bookmaking Bonanza: Ages 8–12/Locura de libritos bilingüe (edades 8–12)”

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Birds of a Feather Mechanical Postcards: Swan, Robin, Duck!

with Shawn Sheehy
Tuesday, August 6; 5–6:30pm 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 “Birds of a Feather Mechanical Postcards: Swan, Robin, Duck!”

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Poetry in Watercolor

with grace (ge) gilbert
Wednesday, August 7; 6–8pm CT

Watercolor and poetry go hand in hand. Both are messy, whimsical, and a little outside the lines. In this virtual workshop, writers and artists alike will learn introductory watercolor techniques, poetry prompts, and the how (and why!) of creating mixed-media poetry. Using examples from writers and artists who work with watercolor, create your own watercolor poems and come away with a deeper understanding of the relationship among language, color, and mediums. This workshop will include readings, an introduction to mixed-media poetics, demos for how to illustrate a poem, and guided time for writing and painting. Continue reading “Poetry in Watercolor”

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Narrative World Building with Interactive Structures

with Yuka Petz and Julia Sarcone-Roach
Saturday, August 10; 12–4pm CT

How can simple book structures allow us to think with our brains and hands to expand our creative brainstorming process? In this combination skill-building and idea-generating workshop, we will make three tools to grow and develop character-based backstories. Projects will include the Character Caterpillar, World Building Pocketbook, and the Exquisite Twist Book. All structures are designed to be easily added to and made again independently. Continue reading “Narrative World Building with Interactive Structures”

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Design-a-Character Volvelles for Kids & Their Grown-Ups!

with Yuka Petz and Clotilde Curry
Saturday, August 17; 9:30am–12pm CT

Let’s use simple paper tools to design fun characters in this workshop for kids and their grown-ups! Volvelles are types of spinnable wheel charts. First, we will make volvelles for faces and bodies. Then we’ll mix and match the faces, heads, and bodies to create unexpected and playful characters in a simple “stick bound” album. Characters will get names and descriptions like where they live, their special abilities, and more.

This in-person workshop will be led by a mother-and-daughter team, designed after activities that they regularly enjoy together. We will prioritize kids and their grown-ups working together on creative projects. Continue reading “Design-a-Character Volvelles for Kids & Their Grown-Ups!”

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Bilingual Bookmaking Bonanza: Ages 8–12/Locura de libritos bilingüe (edades 8–12)

with Cori Adams
con Cori Adams
Saturday, August 17; 1–4pm CT
el sábado 17 de agosto; 1–4pm CT

Join Cori Adams, Spanish immersion teacher and book artist, in a bilingual bookmaking bonanza! In this in-person workshop, unleash your imagination while creating unique books to cherish and share. Start by designing your own mini journal, where you can express your thoughts, feelings, and creativity through words, images, and mixed-media techniques. Then, create an origami star book, personalize a journal using recycled materials like calendars and magazines, or make a mini-book necklace. Through these engaging activities, students will develop their artistic skills by immersing themselves in a world of imagination, exploration, and endless possibilities! From cover to cover, this bookmaking workshop will have kids hanging on to every word (and page)!

¡Únase con Cori Adams, maestra de inmersión del español y artista, en una locura de libros! En esta sesión l@s niñ@s abrirán su imaginación mientras crean libros únicos y queridos. Empezarán por diseñar su propio mini diario, donde pueden expresar sus pensamientos, sentimientos y creatividad por palabras, imágenes y técnicas mixtas. De ahí, quizá escogen construir un libro de origami de estrellas, personalizar un diario con materiales reciclados tal como calendarios o revistas, o crear un librito para llevar como collar. A través de estas actividades fascinantes, l@s niñ@s podrán desarrollar sus habilidades artísticas al sumergirse en un mundo lleno de imaginación, exploración e infinitas posibilidades. ¡De principio a fin, este taller hará que l@s niñ@s se enganchen a cada palabra…y a cada página! Continue reading “Bilingual Bookmaking Bonanza: Ages 8–12/Locura de libritos bilingüe (edades 8–12)”

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Artivism: How Art Can Change the World

with Nikkolas Smith
Thursday, October 3; 6–8pm CT

Join us in welcoming visiting #1 New York Times Bestselling artist Nikkolas Smith—an Artivist, picture book creator, and Hollywood film illustrator—for an in-person workshop featuring Nikkolas’ concept of Artivism and digital-painting techniques. As an illustrator of color, Nikkolas creates art that can spark important conversations around social justice in today’s world and inspire meaningful change. 

In this workshop, Nikkolas will share his Artivism journey, then help participants identify a topic on the theme of Artivism to address in their own artwork. Nikkolas will guide participants in creating a work of art while demonstrating his process, working alongside participants. Continue reading “Artivism: How Art Can Change the World”