Workshops & Events
Make Your Own Binding Tools
Many bindery tools are specialized, making them difficult to find or expensive to purchase. In this virtual workshop, we'll make a few tools and discuss how to make more.
More Alternative Printmaking at Home
This virtual workshop expands on printmaking techniques covered in Alternative Printmaking at Home using accessible materials to make prints at home.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
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.
Introduction to Marbling: August
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (August)
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.
Beaded Books
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.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: August
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
European Papermaking: August
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Coptic Binding 1
Explore Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used sewing pattern for books.
Marbling with Curves
Do you feel constrained by the forward-and-back motion of most traditional marbling patterns? With a few small tweaks to the combs you're using, clean circles, arcs, and more are all possible!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (September)
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 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.
Introduction to Marbling: September
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Coptic Binding 1: September
Explore Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used sewing pattern for books.
Japanese Papermaking
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Introduction to Screen Printing: September
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Virtual
In this virtual 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.
Collaborative Publishing as an Artistic Practice
Designed to demystify the often hidden administrative and social labor costs of making artists’ books, this virtual workshop will cover the how, why, and what of working with other artists and writers on collaborative publications.
Quick & Dirty Letterpress Posters: October
Learn about the history and power of the printing press as a tool for sharing information, and use a Vandercook printing press to print a message!
Suminagashi: October
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Plunge into Pop-Ups
Learn fundamental elements of constructing pop-ups--from design and construction to tools and materials!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (October)
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: October
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Making Books and Pop-Ups with Kids
This virtual workshop is for any adult who would like to build a repertoire of cards and books to teach the children in their lives, regardless of the setting—school, home, community center, or after-school program.
Intuition Lab: Ekphrastic Collage
In this generative virtual workshop, reach beyond text and image as illustration and description and learn how to respond to poetry or other written art with intuitive collage making.
Budgeting and Pricing Your Artist’s Books
In this virtual workshop, we’ll take a detailed look at the various financial parts of making and publishing artists’ books, including budgeting, tracking costs, pricing, and funding.
Four-Flap Box
The four-flap box—sometimes called a "phase" box—is a fantastic structure used to protect a book from wear and tear.
Printing on the Handpress
250 years ago, printers composed and inked type to print the first copy of the Declaration of Independence on a handpress.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: October
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
Phežúta Mniȟúha: Medicine Paper
This in-person workshop explores the incorporation of traditional Indigenous plant material with papermaking processes.
Selling and Distributing Your Artist's Books
Designed to demystify the often hidden administrative and social labor costs of making artists’ books, this virtual workshop will take an in-depth look at the different aspects of selling and distributing artists’ books and zines: audience, promotion, book and zine fairs, working with stores, selling to libraries, etc.
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters (October)
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and walk away with a poster featuring your own lettering alphabet or your favorite letter!
Drum Leaf Binding
The drum leaf binding—developed by Tim Ely—is a simple yet elegant design that uses folio pages printed on one side and not sewn through the fold.
Watermarks & Assemblage with Handmade Paper
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.
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.
Image Transfers for Collage
Image transfers are a playful and versatile process to add to your collage toolbox. Part collage and part print, image transfers offer an opportunity for unexpected results.
Introduction to Screen Printing: Weeknight
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.
Press Play: Free Printing Event & Open House
Join us for Press Play, an annual open house that invites participants of all ages to experience letterpress printing and book arts through hands-on activities in MCBA’s studios.