Books Arts & Papermaking   

Get your feet wet in this introductory class and explore what handmade paper is all about. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the papermaking process from breaking down fibers to creating paper pulp, adding color to the paper pulp, and using stencils and vails to create paper samples to take home. Includes all materials. NOTE: Papermaking is a wet process; please dress accordingly, closed-toed & non-slip shoes should be worn. Water-proof aprons are available. Includes all materials; please bring a bag lunch.

Paper is normally considered as a 2-D art form—as a substrate for other artistic practices—yet handmade paper possesses the unique qualities for use in sculptural applications. This class will introduce the various components used to fabricate paper into three-dimensional forms.  Students will learn to utilize handmade pulp and pull it into various forms from paper sheets to apply to other forms or directly on to wire forms.  Colored pulp painting and collage inclusion will also be covered. NOTE: Papermaking is a wet process; please dress accordingly, closed-toed & non-slip shoes should be worn. Water-proof aprons are available. Includes materials; please see website for a list of suggested supplies.

Learn to stitch a four-hole stab binding, yotsume toji, along with other binding variations (tortoise shell, hemp leaf and kangzi) using traditional Japanese tools and Japanese paper. Discussion about the history of papermaking in Japan including the hand printed papers of Chiyogami and Katazomi-shi. Students will experience first-hand the traditional way to back paper or cloth for the cover, learn traditional folding techniques for the inner binding threads or kayori, and how to fold the pouch-like pages.

Explore non-toxic printmaking methods with focus on areas of greatest individual interest. Class instruction will include producing the plate or matrix, printing, and editioning. Beginning level students will try various types of printmaking—relief, monotype, collagraph, and etching. Intermediate-level students will have the opportunity to explore more advanced projects in etching, relief, lithography, and collagraph. A materials list will be provided at the first class.

Letterpress printing is a great method for creating artwork editions that incorporate text as well as images using the studio’s collection of vintage wood and metal type or newly made polymer plates. Letterpress can be used for creating posters, art prints, handbills, book pages, or personalized cards. Learn basic techniques for letterpress printing with hands-on instructions on layout design and typesetting, inking and impression, as well as setting up and cleaning the press. Students are encouraged to bring ideas for their own projects. This course requires some preparation outside of class during open studio hours to complete projects. Supplies and tools needed for individual projects will be discussed in class.

Up your correspondence game, make your own unique cards just in time for holiday greetings. Discover the basics of letterpress printing and get hands-on experience in this two-day workshop. Learn to set wood and metal type, as well as printer’s cuts with images and print on a cylinder press. Students will design their own card, print take-home pieces for themselves, and contribute to a collaborative card swap. Includes materials; please bring a bag lunch.