Book - Art - Object
Expanding Ideas on the Book as Art
July 28, August 11, 25, September 8, 22, 2025
Live online workshop
3:00-4:30 pm Eastern - 1:00-2:30 Central - 12:00-1:30 Pacific
Are you interested in making books but not sure where to start?
In this immersive course, participants will be introduced to the rich and endlessly creative world of bookmaking as a form of artistic expression. Across five live, interactive sessions, we’ll explore the vast possibilities of what a book can be, moving beyond traditional formats into sculptural, experimental, and conceptual territory.
Each session will focus on different structural forms and techniques, from simple folds to more complex bindings, all designed to spark inspiration and expand your creative toolkit. We’ll look at the book as more than a container of content—considering it instead as a physical, visual, and tactile art object. We'll discuss how paper, thread, image, text, and sequence can be treated as artistic materials in their own right, and how they work together to create meaning.
Topics and Concepts include:
With demos, presentations, videos, discussions, and feedback on work.
-How to develop content for a book.
-Simple binding techniques and alternative book formats.
-Recycled books and book parts.
-Books as sculpture.
-Relationship of materials, structure, and content.
-Flow, rhythm and interactivity.
-Tools and materials for bookmaking.
-Text and image.
-Creating a narrative.
-Altered books.
"By working with the book as an art form, you have an opportunity to engage with the viewer in a more intimate way than viewing a painting or sculpture. There are limitless opportunities to express your ideas and present them in a book format. Books can contain text or be image-based, they can be sequential or just a collection of things, they can represent a journey, or a place to record ideas and thoughts. It's an exciting way to work in and of itself, but also gives the artist another way to expand their ideas and present them to a viewer on a different level." ~ Susan Stover
This class welcomes all medias - painting, printmaking, stitching, sculpture, encaustic, fabric, and alternative materials. Participants will be encouraged through prompts to think outside the box, stretching their materials and methods. Each class will include learning a new book structure with the homework projects open to your individual choice.
Sign up now for
Book ~ Art ~ Object
Course fee $595
payment can be made by check or Venmo
Previous Participants Work
Marsha Shaw
Tina Bauer
Sara Applegate
FAQ's
Do I need experience making books?
No, this is a course for anyone who is interested in exploring books as an art form.
Do I need expensive special equipment?
Not really, you will use basic materials and tools (all detailed in the supplies handout). There are some optional materials and tools listed that can be purchased if you are interested.
How do I access the live sessions?
Once you purchase the class, you will have access to the welcome section of the course content. There you will find the supply list, a resource list, and the link to the first class meeting. The live sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the course for replay. The best part is you don’t have to worry about frantically taking notes but can focus on the live sessions and watch the replay to capture the key points you want to take notes on.
General Information about classes:
Classes use Zoom for meetings.
The Padlet app is used for the course curriculum. It is a free app to use on a phone or iPad. It can also be accessed on a desktop computer. Padlet is easy to use and requires no special computer skills. Each class has its own Padlet page with separate sections for each student's work, allowing us to share images for viewing and feedback.
The Padlet Library and Resources are free for students and contains hundreds of books, podcasts, and videos for inspiration and research.
Each class is recorded for students who have to miss a session or would simply like to review. Class size is limited to 12.
Questions? Email me.