Workshops & Events
Make Your Own Book Cloth
In this in-person workshop, learn the traditional method for making book cloth with wheat paste, fabric, and Japanese paper.
Screen Print Totes
Screen print your unique design on three totes ahead of the gift-giving season!
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (December)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Paper Fiber Images: Blow-Outs & Pulp Painting
In this in-person workshop, explore blowouts and pulp painting, image-making techniques that use stencils and stencil resists to create colorful and repeatable images in your paper.
Box Building: Clamshell Boxes
In this in-person workshop, create a small clamshell box to fit a deck of cards.
First Saturday Tour (January)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
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.
Luminaria: Winter Lanterns
During short winter days, the warm glow of a festive luminaria can cut through the darkness that surrounds us. Make handmade paper luminarias with watermarks and paper-cut designs in this in-person workshop.
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.
Book Repair: When Paper Fails
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged paper.
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (January)
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: January
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Collage Chapbooks at WIP and MCBA!
Join Workshop for Independent Publishing (WIP) founders, Aiden Bettine and India Johnson, for an in-person chapbook publishing workshop at WIP (Saturday 1/10) and MCBA (Sunday 1/11).
Marbling Focus: Stone & Moire
This in-person workshop focuses on honing skills needed to marble stone and moire patterns.
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (January)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Coptic Binding
This in-person workshop is great for both first-time and advanced binders. It introduces Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used book sewing pattern.
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (January)
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints focuses on printing multiple layers and building printers’ confidence using Vandercook presses through practice.
Introduction to Screen Printing: January
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: 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.
Japanese Papermaking: January
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: January
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
Introduction to Book Design
This in-person book design workshop is introductory and tailored to the needs of beginning and intermediate book artists. The focus is on both traditional and experimental typography, layout, and book structure.
Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
Foil adds rich gold, shiny silver, and wild holographic accents to prints and bindings. Learn how to use the hot foil stamping machines in MCBA’s bindery, aptly named Kwikprint machines.
Mini Marbling
Experience the patterns and designs you know and love, but now at a smaller scale.
Screen Print Cards: January
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
Letterpress Refresh: Be My Valentine
Refresh your skills and build confidence in letterpress printing in this love-themed workshop.
Introduction to Screen Printing: February
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 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.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
Foil adds rich gold, shiny silver, and wild holographic accents to prints and bindings. Learn how to use the hot foil stamping machines in MCBA’s bindery, aptly named Kwikprint machines.
Introduction to Marbling: February
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (February)
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.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Book Repair: Broken Cloth & Paperback Books
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged books.
European Papermaking: February
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: February
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
Layers in Pulp: A Stenciled Approach to Papermaking
Get ready to play with pulp! In this relaxed, hands-on studio workshop, dive into the colorful world of stenciling with pigmented pulp on freshly formed sheets of handmade paper.
First Saturday Tour (March)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
First Saturday Tour (April)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
A Study in Sliceforms
Build pop-up volumes using a sculptural, flexible technique in this rare in-person workshop with Chicago-based artist Shawn Sheehy.
The Pop-Up Vegetable Garden
Build a garden of delicious-looking, dimensional paper vegetables.
Alphabet Alchemy
In this in-person workshop, you’ll learn a variety of inking and typesetting techniques that break away from traditional typography and letterpress printing to reimagine the shapes of our alphabet.
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
First Saturday Tour (November)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
A Radical Alteration: Women’s Studio Workshop as a Sustainable Model for Art Making Gallery Tour and Reception
Join us for a gallery tour and exhibition recepetion for A Radical Alteration with visiting curator, Maymanah Farhat
In the Field: Papermaking
This in-person workshop is geared toward thinking sustainably in building a studio practice of papermaking with natural fibers.
Celebrating Elysa & Welcoming Courtney!
Join us as we celebrate Elysa Voshell's incredible leadership and officially welcome Courtney Gerber as MCBA's new Executive Director.
Artist Talk: In the Field
We're delighted to welcome Andrea Peterson to MCBA’s studios for a visit from northwest Indiana! Join us for an artist talk with Andrea Peterson, a papermaker who practices regenerative and sustainable methods on land that entwines her work and life.