This Week

In addition to studio time in Springfield, I spent this past week teaching bookbinding to inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution through the Healing Broken Circles program. It was my first time in a prison and I didn’t really know what to expect, but I must have looked like I knew what I was doing because the guys remarked that I didn’t seem nervous. Was I supposed to be? It made me sad to think that maybe that was the norm. I’d be way more nervous walking past an OSU frat house on a party night. Seriously.

It was an interesting endeavor trying to find warden-approved supplies to bring in. Hunting down plastic replacements for metal ones. I couldn’t bring in bulldog clips, or paper clips, never mind any kind of cutting tool. Or needles. I was determined, though, to do sewn bindings, and managed to find plastic needles that weren’t super huge. Since they were too flimsy to poke holes through multiple sheets of paper on their own, the sewing process required some prep work: first, use a pushpin to make holes, then make them a little bigger with a toothpick (to make room for the too-big needle eye), then, finally, sew.

Class was great, everyone was so welcoming and friendly, and I had so much fun. I stuck my foot in my mouth on several occasions: “Okay, now let’s talk about Japanese stab binding — er, um, maybe I shouldn’t say that…” (much laughter)

On our last day I was given this beautiful little book (whose pages you see in this post) as a thank you from the class. It made me cry right there on the spot. Courageous? Hardly. It was an honor and a privilege to be there, and I hope I get to go back.

My Bookbinding Workshop at CCAD

I recently finished up my week of teaching bookbinding at Columbus College of Art and Design’s Summer Educators’ Studio. I LOVED IT!! I was nervous getting ready for it, as this was my first time teaching adults (art teachers, no less — gulp!) I kept wondering if I had enough stuff to show and talk about… would I fill up the time or stand around twiddling my thumbs for the last half hour?  I think that being a little nervous was a good thing — it forced me to be prepared — but it turns out I didn’t need to be worried; it all ended up just fine.  More than fine, actually.

On the first night, I gave my Flying Adventures reading and Creative Persistence presentation, and was a guest at the welcome dinner, where I made a point to sit with people I didn't know and start conversations (more difficult for me than you’d think).  When I left, I stepped into a magical night— empty streets, unfinished road construction,  buildings glowing in pink twilight.  It felt like standing in a painting.  Summer in the city.  A hot day's end.  

The week was so rewarding. Students said I was their favorite class (yay for books!). I love summer workshops.  Campuses are quiet, the thrum of the academic year over...we had the entire 4th floor studios to ourselves!  My syllabus went out the window and the class unfolded on its own, which was perfect.

We started out with simple structures made out of copy paper (inexpensive and already all cut to the exact same size!) I brought some of my decorative papers from home in addition to what the school provided, and so even the "practice" books wound up looking like keepers.

One of the binding styles I taught came from a book printed in 1985 by Ohio's own Logan Elm Press, Mid-Ohio Elegies.  Poetry by Gordon Grigsby with collotypes by my cousin, Kurt Retter.

I have always wanted to figure out how this book was bound as it appeared so unique, and so I finally deconstructed my one of my two copies to reverse-engineer it. While I thought it was made of two signatures, it turns out it was only one, just folded differently (apparently it's called a double-section saddle-stitch binding). The covers were boards wrapped with heavy paper both horizontally and vertically, creating pockets to slip both the anchor pages and the dustjacket into. Logan Elm Press is, sadly, gone now, although its equipment and spirit remain somewhere... could I please put in a request to the powers that be at OSU to revive it?

I loved that everyone hit the ground running with projects they wanted to work on. 

© Josh Anderson

On the last day, all the students in the entire program gave presentations about what they'd been up to during the week. Here's Richard showing everyone his Archetypes book, bound in that Logan Elm style.

Archetypes ©Richard Featheringill

John made a bunch of different books.  One of my favorites was this tiny little square accordion that he outfitted with a clever tab closure that slips right into the fold of the cover.

© John Zilewicz

Here's Kathryn, showing everyone how to fold the first book we made...

Another fun tab closure, à la Kathryn.

© Kathryn Frericks

I feel completely changed by my experience.  Maybe it’s because I proved to myself that I can teach this stuff.  Maybe it’s because it got my feet in the studio every day, surrounded by papers and tools and other people working on projects. Maybe it’s that I got a faculty badge—legitimacy!— or some combination of all of these things.  I don’t know. But my mindset has shifted.  I loved this class, I miss it, and I can’t wait to do it again if they’ll have me back.  Thanks, CCAD, for an amazing week with great people. 

A Great Day for Books!

Last week I had the privilege of being an invited guest at the art opening of the students I taught at the Ohio State School for the Blind (read my post about that here). The exhibition of their handmade artist books is being held through April 20 at the State Library of Ohio, and the opening reception (including cookies and punch and right proper reception fare!) was such a joy.

Everyone's finished projects were on display, with labels written in both text and braille.

I hadn't seen the students' finished books yet, as my contribution was teaching the basics of a few different binding structures before their art teacher led them through working on their personal projects. I was so impressed by the students' work!

My Home Story ©Samiro Hassan

The Joy of Special Needs Children ©Kurtacee Goines

Some kids' inspiration came from favorite bands and music they were listening to, others from a personal memory or experience; others chose to express a more abstract concept. Some chose the pamphlet binding, others the accordion... most utilized collage. Some taped in cut-out lines of braille.

The Princess' Dragon ©Autumn Radcliff

The Wedding ©Leann Nichols

Planet ©Byron Weaver

A Fun Night ©Noah Daley

My Childhood ©Jana Alo

The Voyage (detail) ©Garrett Brammer

I was honored to be asked not only to attend the reception but also to say a few words. I was teary-eyed at the podium! The students received certificates and swag bags from the State Library, and were given the opportunity to speak about their work.  Most were shy about that!

It was great to see the kids again, and I hope that this day doesn't end my relationship with the Ohio State School for the Blind, but starts something long-lasting. I wanted to get on that school bus and ride back to school with them!

READ THE FIRST POST HERE