Exploring Historic Book Artists' Tools

Examine and use a range of historical tools used for writing and bookmaking and learn how they fit into bookmaking history.

Member

$36.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Guest

$47.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Meeting Times

Sat, 6/1/2024 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Sat, 6/1/2024

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About

Get introduced to the history of printing and book construction through this workshop and conversation, as instructors share information about early writing practices and implements and showcase how they can be used in book design.

You'll have the opportunity to examine many artifacts and tools, some close to 100 years old, including historic rubber artists stamps, feather quills, drafting tools, and even an early typewriter. You'll create our own bamboo pens and use them to make images to be embellished with gold leaf. You'll see examples of historic books, in addition to a number of reference books that are useful for book artists.

Materials

A materials fee, included in the class cost, covers the materials you'll use, including:

Bamboo
Gold leaf
Ink
Paper
A wide range of historic writing and bookmaking tools

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.

BARN Policies

View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy
View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.

Instructors or Guides

Jane Carlin

Jane is the former director of the Collins Library at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, and a board member of the Puget Sound Book Artists and the Book Club of Washington. She has taught in book history and design as well as established a strong collection of artists' books. She recently co-curated the international juried exhibition of artists' books titled Dreams, as well as Nature and the Book at the Miller Library (University of Washington) in January 2024.

Mark Hoppmann

Mark Hoppmann is a multi-media artist who has exhibited his unique books in many venues (http://markhoppmannart.com/the-artist/). He is a former board member of the Puget Sound Book Artists. In 2022, Mark and Jane co-curated an exhibition titled Scripts, Scribes and Scribbles that focused on the celebration of hand written books and manuscripts and worked with students to introduce them to the "tools of the trade" via Mark's extensive collection of historic writing tools and unique manuscripts, as well as offered a review of the history of bookmaking and printing.