Volume 18 - Autumn 2004


 
 

Study Opportunities

 

Courses

Residential Courses at Urchfont Manor, UK

Bookbinding: Repair & Conservation
Date: 8th - 12th November 2004
Tutor: Maureen Duke

General Topics plus special topic: Binding Miniature Books

Further information on these courses is available from the: Secretary, Urchfont Manor College, Urchfont, Devizes,, WILTSHIRE, SN10 4RG, UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1380 840495, Fax: +44 (0) 1380 840005, E-mail:urchfont@wccyouth.org.uk

Leeds College of Technology, Yorkshire, UK

Last year with great success, Leeds College of Technology, Yorkshire, UK, ran a basic craft bookbinding course. They had a good response, with eight enrolling on the course, most of who would like to move on to more advanced level. They have also had a few interested enquiries for the next basic course. This has prompted them to set up an Intermediate Craft course, which will start in February, following on from the beginners course in September. The new course will again have a certificate from NCFE after successful completion. They intend to move on to quarter and half bound case books and quarter and half bound leather bindings.

The courses will run on Wednesday evenings, 5.00-8.30 pm., 18 weeks each course. The fee will be £150 plus a small enrollment fee.

For more information: Contacts: Mick McGregor at Leeds College of Technology
Tel: +44 (0) 113 297 6438, e-mail m.mcgregor@lct.ac.uk or Student Services: tel +44 (0) 113 297 6481.

London College of Printing, London, UK

BA(HONS) Book Arts and Crafts - a course designed to develop a creative and innovative approach to the art and craft of designing and making books, as functional artifacts and art pieces.

This programme of study is unique in the United Kingdom, being the only course available specifically in book arts & crafts. The course is spread over three years, year one is mostly skills based and covers a variety of bookart areas, year two includes a range of electives allowing the student to focus on certain areas in detail. This year also includes work experience. Year three includes 2 major practical projects and a dissertation in a related area. The course starts in year one as tutor led and gradually becomes student led.

During the course visits are arranged to museums and galleries, field trips abroad and the possibility of engaging in the college exchange programme. A range of methods delivers the course: e.g. practical demonstration, lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Bookart projects are practically based and detailed feedback is always given on student's work either through assessment sheets or in tutorial. Written projects are required in the Cultural Studies and Personal and Professional Development modules.

Here is an outline of each year

Year 1 - Modules include basic skills in Printmaking, Craft bookbinding, craft printing (letterpress and screen), visual studies (drawing & illustration), photography and creative bookarts. Computer studies (computer-aided design), Cultural studies and Professional development. (CS & PPD run throughout the course). Year one is intense and requires attendance over 3/4 days.

Year 2 - Modules include advanced bookart structures and fine print production, electives include advanced printmaking & illustration, design bookbinding, artist's books, historical / oriental structures, conservation techniques and CAD etc. Students may now focus on particular area or specialism and drop areas they do not wish to pursue. PPD not only helps arrange work experience, but sets up student exhibitions in various galleries and the London Artists Bookfair each year.

Year 3 - This year is assessed over 2 major projects and 2 lesser projects. You will be expected to produce a dissertation of around 5000/6000 words and produce a Major Elective Study, which is assessed by exhibition. Projects are student led, this year of the course using a supervision/tutorial system for major projects. Students also set up their own exhibition in a private gallery during this final year. Technical help and advice is always available and most tutors operate an "open door" policy for students who need one-to-one help.

Exit Profile - Over 70% of graduates find employment in areas related to the course programme,(2002). Some have gone into teaching (PGTC) some onto post graduate education, (MA Bookarts, MA Fine Art, MA Product Design and MA Publishing etc.)

This art and design course using as it does a range of 3D graphics and the book as a medium has a wide range of applications. Graduates work as makers in bookbinding, printers in Fine press (Limited Edition), printmakers, illustrators, book designers using the latest computer applications, in art departments for publishers, paper engineering (pop-ups), board-game and package design, book & card production and as exhibiting book artists.

Students have exhibited to acclaim in major galleries and won international awards in France, UK, USA and Holland. This (undergraduate) course has been generally recognised as being the best available in this field. Resources are second to none, fully equipped workshops coupled with experienced staff all of whom practice within their specialism, professionally, (e.g. printmaking is taught by Tessa Holmes, exhibiting printmaker and Visual studies by the artist Daphne Plessner)

Full-time students at the LCC (lcp) ,also have the advantage of being offered a large range of related "bolt-on" courses, free, to enhance their studies. The course is relatively small, targets for each year being only 25. The age range is from 18 years, at present there is a 65/35 ratio women to men. Retention rate is 92% (2002/03). HEFC inspection rating is 22/24. Students come from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, e.g. Taiwan, Germany, France, Sweden, USA, Brazil, Spain, Greece, Japan and Korea.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the college. For full curriculum details and further information, please contact Mike Brunwin at: m.brunwin@lcp.linst.ac.uk or telephone on 0207 514 6500 (ex.6660) or write to:

UCAS entry codes;
route A Linst L65 WW27 Ba/BArts
Route B Linst L65 EW 27 Ba/BArts

London College of Communication (formally London College of Printing) School of Printing & Publishing, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6SB
(The London Institute becomes the "University of the Arts,London" in May 2004)

North Bennet Street School, Boston, MA, USA

The North Bennet Street School workshop has several new and exciting courses this Autumn/Winter. No experience is requisite for any of these workshops. Hand Lettering - Five Styles
Date: Monday-Friday, 8th-12th November, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm
Teacher: Maryanne Grebenstein
Cost: $450   Manuscript Gilding & Illumination
Date: Monday-Wednesday, December 6-8, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm Teacher: Maryanne Grebenstein
Cost: $300   Advanced Non-Adhesive Bookbinding
Date: Monday-Friday, October 11-15, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm
Teacher: Stacie Dolin
Cost: $450   Crossed Structure Bookbinding
Date: Monday-Wednesday, November 15-17, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm
Teacher: Margot Ecke
Cost: $300   Introduction to Non-Adhesive Bookbinding - TWO SESSIONS!
Date: 5 Saturdays, September 11-October 9, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm
Teacher: Amy Lapidow
Cost: $450   Introduction to Cloth Case Bookbinding - TWO SESSIONS!
Date: 5 Saturdays, October 16-November 20, 2004, 8.30-4.30 pm
Teacher: Amy Lapidow
Cost: $450 (No Class November 6)  

For more information contact Mark Anderson at: workshop@nbss.org or telephone (617) 227-0155, ext. 102.
1-day Courses - Peterborough Arthouse, 26 Fitzwilliam Street PE1 2RX, UK

Book as a Talisman
1-day artist's book course for 4-8 participants
Date: Saturday the 16th October 2004 from 10 am to 6 pm
Cost: £40 plus £10 for materials

We will spend a day journeying into the world of touch, colour and texture. With the help of creative visualisations and imaginary tales you will be guided to create your own symbol of creativity in the form of an artist's book. We'll explore themes of ancient archetypes, totems and signs that are a personal reflection of your inner stories. There are no traditional bookbinding techniques involved but you will learn a simple yet attractive structure that's adaptable to many themes later on, and you can choose to use photographs and other additional, personal material as part of your book. The day aims to encourage you towards more inventive, expressive ways of making artist's books.

Book of the Heart
1-day course in creative bookbinding for 4-8 participants
Date: Saturday the 23rd October 2004 from 10 am to 6 pm
Cost: £40 plus £10 for materials

We will draw inspiration from the ways the early books were made and you'll then create your own vision for the present time. Your book will be sewn on raised leather thongs and will have luxurious, soft leather cover. We'll also explore various cover enclosures and other details to further personalise your own 'book of the heart'. Throughout the day we'll discuss many tips and ideas for you to try on your own later, as this book opens up many creative possibilities - whether you're interested in fine art, printmaking, textiles, woodworking, photography, ceramics or jewellery.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact: courses@NOSPAMgalleriamia.net

NOTE: The email address above contains a spamguard. Just paste it into your e-mail program, then please remove the text 'NOSPAM' from the 'to' field.

Designer Bookbinders & The Society of Bookbinders Weekend Workshops

This workshop series is the first to be offered by the two leading bookbinding societies in the UK. Following the closure of many college courses in recent years, both SoB and DB recognise the need to provide educational opportunities of high quality. This series offers structured learning through intensive courses from well respected teachers.

These will be 'hands-on' workshops where participants will complete a structure or technique with demonstrations by the teacher. The size of the workshops will be limited allowing students to benefit from individual attention.

The first four workshops offer a range of topics from traditional techniques to innovative structures. We have tried to serve our far-flung membership by holding two in the North and two in the South, both at well equipped binderies, and easily accessible by public transport.

Tight Back Cut Flush Binding
Date: 30th - 31st October 2004
Time: 10.00-17.00
Tutor: David Sellars
Course Fee: £100 plus £15 for materials

 

Private press books are often quite small and made up of just a few sections, making them unsuitable for the traditional structural and stylistic approaches associated with design binding. Nevertheless, the quality of the printing and the paper demand an individual design treatment.

It was in order to overcome these limitations that David Sellars developed the Cut Flush binding, a unique structure which allows for creative and innovative design utilising relief and textured surfaces.

The construction is straightforward and uses a combination of paper, board and leather.

On the first day students will sew the sections to create a slim volume, prepare 'made' endpapers, line the spine, make a leather spine strip and line each board. The second day will be spent painting the book edges and preparing boards with bevelled relief panels which are then attached to the book. They will finish by making a design which can be as simple or complex as they wish. The result is a binding which feels light in the hand and has a singular elegance.

David Sellars was apprenticed at John Walsh printers in Halifax, and then studied bookbinding at Camberwell School of Art from 1973-5. He has taught bookbinding at Brighton, Camberwell, the Royal College of Art and Oxford Brookes University. He has also taught master classes worldwide, and currently has his studio in Calderdale, Yorkshire. He was elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders in 1976 and served as president from 1999-2001. His work is represented in public and private collections worldwide.

The Restoration of Cloth Bindings
Date: 13th - 14th November 2004
Time: 10.00-17.00
Tutor: Nick Cowlishaw
Course Fee: £100 plus £10 for materials

 

This workshop will cover the fundamental techniques involved in the restoration and repair of nineteenth century cloth case bindings.

After assessing the deterioration of the original binding, the cover will be cleaned, the text block removed from the case, and the spine cleaned. The endpapers will be repaired and the spine reshaped and lined. The corners of the boards will be repaired and the original spine rebacked with new cloth or Japanese tissue, coloured to match the original.

Nick will also cover the techniques involved in the repair of single sheets, or Gutta-percha bindings.

Nick Cowlishaw served a six year apprenticeship in bookbinding in Derby, starting in 1962. He worked as a journeyman for several years, and taught at the London College of Printing from 1978-1996. He now has his own bindery in Reigate and teaches at Morley College in London. He is Chairman of the London and South region of the Society of Bookbinders.

Cross Structured Bindings
Date: 22nd - 23rd January 2005
Time: 10.00-17.00
Tutor: Angela James
Course Fee: £100 plus £5 for materials

The Crossed Structure Binding was developed in the early 1990s by Carmencho Arregui, a binder working in Northern Italy. It is both practical and attractive, as it combines the simplicity of non-adhesive binding with a unique overlapping strap structure reminiscent of clasped hands. Since Carmencho produced her first structure, others have responded to a challenge to develop their own ideas based on the CSB principle. Angela James has created many crossed structure bindings over the years, bringing her own distinctive flair and creativity to this exciting new book form.

In this workshop Angela will talk about her approach to the crossed structure binding, and show students how they can create their own using very little equipment, good quality materials (such as paper, vellum, suede, leather or plastic), and accurate measuring and cutting.

The crossed structure binding is quick, inexpensive and versatile, and can be applied both to creative binding and conservation work, where a large number of books need to be bound in a non-invasive way at low cost.

Angela James: After graduating from the Glasgow school of Art, Angela James worked at the Cockerell bindery for two years, and with James Brockman at the Eddington Bindery for four. She has had her own bindery since 1977. She has won many prizes for her bindings, was elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders in 1975, and served as its President from 1990-96. She has bindings in many collections and has written two books on binding.

Introduction to Gold Tooling
Date: 19th - 20th February 2005
Time: 10.00-17.00
Tutor: Tracey Rowledge
Course Fee: £100 plus £15 for materials

Gold tooling is often perceived as a difficult skill to acquire, with the result that many bookbinders tend to avoid what they perceive as an unattainable area of the craft.

This workshop, with renowned gold finisher Tracey Rowledge, is designed to dispel these fears. It is a practical introduction to the particular techniques which are used for tooling images with gold leaf on leather.

Over the years Tracey has honed her technique to best suit the kind of images and designs she employs on her very individual bindings.

In the workshop Tracey will pass on a thorough understanding of gold tooling, demystifying the subject by means of demonstrations and individual tuition. Working on prepared sample boards, students will learn about the materials and techniques necessary to gain the confidence and ability to practise further on their own.

Armed with these basic principles, students will learn enough in this workshop to go away and achieve, with practice, pleasing and successful gold tooling.

Tracey Rowledge gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College in 1992, and went on to study bookbinding at Guildford from 1993-95. She has received a number of awards for her bookbinding, and undertakes fine binding commissions. She teaches gold tooling regularly and works part-time at Bernard Quaritch as a finisher and bookbinder.

For further information please contact:
Clare Prince, 26 Abingdon Court, Abingdon Villas, London W8 6BT. Tel: +44 (0)20 7937 9198
Dominic Riley, Low Wood House, Low Wood, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 8LY. Tel:+44 (0)15395 31161

Further copies of this brochure and application form can be downloaded from either the SoB or DB websites:
www.SocietyofBookbinders.com
www.DesignerBookbinders.org.uk

Private Tuition

Bookbinding Tuition in Summerfield, North Carolina, USA

Monique Lallier, teaches in her studio at home, one-on-one or up to a maximum of 4 students at a time. She teaches every Monday, afternoon or evening or both to regular students that come every week or other week. Monique also teaches on a weekly basis for out of town students. Lessons may be booked for one week or longer at a cost of $500 per week for a 6 hours a day. In all cases, the tuition program is tailored to meet the specific needs and abilities of the student, where each student has an individual program. All aspects of bindings are taught as well as box making.

For further details, please go to Monique Lallier's web site at: www.moniquelallier.com, or e-mail her at: folium@triad.rr.com

Learn to Bind with Marysa de Veer at the Otter Bindery in Surrey, England

The Otter bindery specialises in one to one tuition and small groups of a maximum of three. We offer three workshops:

Workshop 1 - Beginners - Learn about why paper folds easier one way than the other (grain direction) and it's importance as a fundamental of book binding. Then sew and create a single section note book. The course is designed for those with little or no experience but who have an interest in the craft of bookbinding. Marysa will show you various other simple projects that you can either do at the workshop or take home with you. The idea behind this is to teach you the basic skills and show you how, with minimal materials you can produce beautiful creations from your own home.

Workshop 2 - Learn how to repair a favourite paper back and take the skills home with you to carry on with minimal equipment. Following on from the above course learn some more complex structures as well as simple methods of creating photograph albums, scrap books and portfolios.

Workshop 3 - For the more experienced, an exploration into leather, the different types of leather used in bookbinding and why. You will then have an opportunity to create and cover a book in leather.

Please note the above courses are designed to run for one and two days. The workshop descriptions are a guide only. Suggestions are always welcome and changes can be made to the workshops to fit in with your requirements. Accommodation is available if travelling from afar. The Otter Bindery welcomes experienced bookbinders wishing to visit and share knowledge.

Please contact Marysa de Veer for further information on prices, accommodation, times.

The Otter Bindery
42 Hare Hill
Addlestone
Surrey KT15 1DT
Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1932 845976
e-mail marysa@deveer.co.uk

Bookbinding Tuition in London

Both Open Studio sessions and Private Tuition are available with Mark Cockram in his studio in South West London.

For further details call: Mark on 07811 615010

Bookbinding Tuition in the North East of Scotland

Weekend and week-long sessions available in all aspects of bookbinding. Tuition tailored to suit the needs of the individual. All aspects and levels of craft and design binding, including repair and renovation work, may be undertaken under professional instruction in a private, well-equipped bindery in the Scottish countryside.

For further details call: Mark Ramsden +44 (0)1467 671581 evenings. E-mail: bookman@bti

 

Skin Deep - Volume 18 - Autumn 2004

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