Workshops & Events

The Art of Hand Lettering
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques with step-by-step instructions and how to illustrate a word or quote of your choice.

One-Section Hardcover Bindings
The one-section hard-cover binding is a terrific structure for bookbinding beginners and practicing book artists alike!
Introduction to Screen Printing: April
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.

Introduction to Marbling: April
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this single-day, in-person workshop!

Analog Zine Machine
Zines are a low-stakes way to share your story. In this virtual workshop, we will focus on the analog—or non-computer based—skills needed to write and lay out a multi-page zine.

Beaded Books
Interested in expanding your bookmaking abilities by adding surface texture with beads?!

Movable Metamorphs
Join Shawn in MCBA’s studios to build this 5-structure movable book using a pre-cut kit and a simple set of hand tools--all you'll do is fold and glue!

Slipcase Wildflowers
Celebrate Earth Day by creating a pocket-sized collection of pop-up spring wildflowers in MCBA’s studios.

Japanese Papermaking
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.

Storage-Folio Book
A storage-folio book is a sculptural book structure made up of a series of envelope-style enclosures that feature two-dimensional ephemera.

Sewing Card Magic: One-, Two- & Three-Section Books
When making one-, two-, and three-section books, the sewing card is an awesome tool for mastering simple to advanced sewn bindings.

Introduction to Marbling: May
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this single-day, in-person workshop!
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Weekend
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.

Modern Victorian-Inspired Collage
Step into a world of Victorian charm and creativity in this virtual workshop.
Box Building for Beginners
Building boxes with high-density board, often called “book board,” is a time-honored tradition within book arts.

Tunnel Book and Its Variations
Tunnel books are diorama-like scenes that can include incredible detail and dimension.

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (May)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.

Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).

Alphabet Books
Learn how to turn a street toy into an artist’s book with teaching artist Priya Pereira, who adapted this unique structure through experimentation and play.

Botanical Eco-Printing on Silk
Learn the magical process of eco-printing in this in-person workshop.

Fun with Accordions
In this virtual workshop, explore two of Rosae’s favorite accordion-based structures—an accordion book featuring a non-adhesive cover, and an expandable, hardcover album.

The Art of Hand Lettering
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques with step-by-step instructions and how to illustrate a word or quote of your choice.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning
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.

Block Print Bandanas
In this in-person workshop, participants will learn how to create repeating patterns and carve a linoleum block to print on fabric.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Evening
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.

Unfolding Narratives: Writing for Artists' Books
Learn techniques for generating text for artist's books through conceptual approaches: text as image, as narrative, and as lyrical expression.

Single-Page Book Extravaganza
Single-page books or flutter-fold books, as they are affectionately called, are extremely versatile for making small books, zines, short greetings, or an interesting format for a letter.

Rebus: Image as Riddle
Rebuses are messages or puzzles in which pictures, letters, or symbols represent sounds.

Woodcut Printmaking 1
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.

Digital Resources: Geometry and Illusion for Visual Artists
In this virtual workshop, we’ll dive into some cool tools—both digital and on paper—to create tessellations, anaglyphs, patterns, and origami templates.

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (Weekday Intensive)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.

Ideation Through Collage
In this in-person workshop, failure is celebrated, dialogue sparks innovation, and the goal is to disrupt typical ideation patterns.

Introduction to Marbling: June
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this single-day, in-person workshop!

Image Transfers with Gelatin Plates
Image transfers are a fun way to incorporate found imagery into your prints. Part collage and part print, image transfers offer an opportunity for unexpected results.

Foraged Fibers
Join us for this hands-on, in-person workshop where you'll transform Minnesota’s flora into stunning handmade paper.
Introduction to Screen Printing: June
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.

Flag Book: Mixed Media Festival
Gather found type, numerals, tickets, and random images to create a paper festival!

Exploring Arabic Typography with Wood Type, Plates, and Letterpress
Explore Arabic typography's rich history and contemporary possibilities in this hands-on, in-person workshop using wood type, plates, and letterpress printing.

Stiff-Leaf Binding and Variations
The stiff-leaf binding is a non-sewn binding technique ideal for assembling printed sheets into a rigid, durable book.

Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (June)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.

Screen Print Cards: March
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!

Puzzle Books
As the name suggests, there’s no particular way in which to unfold a puzzle book. Open left to right, right to left, north to south or vice-versa.

Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!

Collage Artist Trading Cards: Let's Trade!
Let’s explore collage through Artist Trading Cards! Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are small two- dimensional works of art about the size of a playing card.

And your very flesh shall be a great poem
Join us for a collaborative concrete poetry and low-fi printmaking workshop in MCBA’s studios, drawing on the history of concrete poetry, the work of screenprinter and text-combiner Corita Kent, and Walt Whitman's insistence that a just society is poetry's embodiment.

European Papermaking: March
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.