Workshops & Events
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.
First Saturday Tour (December)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Block Print Bandanas
In this in-person workshop, learn how to create repeating patterns and carve a linoleum block to print on fabric.
Introduction to Marbling: December
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Introduction to Screen Printing: December
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.
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.
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.
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.
First Saturday Tour (March)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
First Saturday Tour (April)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters, Holiday Edition
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and walk away with a set of your own hand-lettered seasonal cards!
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (November)
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.
Paper Marbling: Patterns 2
Mastering the figure-8 and complex waves is essential for every marbler's toolkit.
Introduction to Marbling: November
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Mentorship Series IX Exhibition Reception
Join us for an exhibition reception with MCBA/Jerome Book Art Mentorship Series IX recipients Yasmin Yassin, Gabi Estrada, and Drew Arrieta.
Screen Print Cards
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
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.
Type as Image: Experiments in Letterpress
In this in-person workshop, investigate the way the letters and the spaces between them communicate meaning in new, unexpected ways.
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.
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.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Introduction to Marbling: October
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
New Editions Preview Party
Join us in celebrating 40 years of cultivating artists’ creativity and livelihoods at the New Editions Preview Party!
First Saturday Tour (October)
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
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (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.
Make Your Own Bindery Tools
In this in-person workshop, learn how to make several common bindery tools including a laying press, wood and plexi press boards, bone folders, punching cradles, and box corner jigs.
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.
Hand-Lettering 2: Composition & Balance
Building on the fundamentals of drawing letters and short words in Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters (previously called The Art of Hand-Lettering), this follow-up workshop focuses on working with multiple words and phrases.
Cross Structure Binding
In this in-person workshop, learn the cross structure binding, a versatile softcover binding that features a decorative woven cover.
Introduction to Marbling: September
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and come away with a poster featuring your own lettering alphabet or your favorite letter!
Paper Thread
Learn to make paper thread two ways, rooted in Korean and Japanese traditions in this in-person workshop with visiting artist Aimee Lee.
NAHP Vendor Fair Public Hours
North American Hand Papermakers’s Vendor Fair to shop items related to the art and craft of hand papermaking
Paper Plains
Paper Plains invites the public to create paper from regionally-harvested, invasive plants.