Workshops & Events
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Book Repair: Broken Cloth & Paperback Books
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged books.
European Papermaking: February
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined Reception
Join us for a reception for our current exhibition, Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined.
Woodcut Printmaking for Beginners: February
Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop.
Layers in Pulp: A Stenciled Approach to Papermaking
Get ready to play with pulp! In this relaxed, hands-on studio workshop, dive into the colorful world of stenciling with pigmented pulp on freshly formed sheets of handmade paper.
Printing on the Hand Press
250 years ago, printers composed and inked type to print the first copy of the Declaration of Independence on a hand press.
Screen Print Fabric
Refresh your skills and build confidence in MCBA’s screen printing studio in this in-person workshop focused on fabric.
First Saturday Tour (March)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Letterpress 4: Editioning
Letterpress 4: Editioning focuses on planning and printing an edition (or a group of identical prints).
Supported Book Projects: Craft in Contemporary Life
Join this unique in-person workshop designed for bookmakers with introductory-level experience and a desire to create an independent project with guidance.
Book Repair: When Paper Fails
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged paper.
Introduction to Marbling: March
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (March)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Blizzard Books
In this in-person workshop, learn to make the Blizzard Book, an innovative book structure designed by book artist Heidi Kyle.
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
Screen Print: Guided Projects
Create an independent project with guidance in this unique in-person workshop designed for screen printers with introductory-level experience.
Box Building: Drawers & Dividers
Create a box that has a lid with a hinge, a divided tray, and a drawer in MCBA’s studios.
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (March)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Japanese Papermaking: March
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Coptic Binding
Explore Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used book sewing pattern.
First Saturday Tour (April)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques: Morning
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Tactile Books: Fiber Arts and Bookbinding
In this in-person workshop, explore the area where fibers and book arts overlap to create truly tactile books, engaging with a variety of materials to make one-of-a-kind works that satisfy both the visual and sensual experience of the reader.
Introduction to Marbling: April
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Screen Print Cards: April
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
Multicolor Woodcut Printmaking
Sharpen your technique and gain a deeper understanding of the reductive printmaking process.
A Study in Sliceforms
Build pop-up volumes using a sculptural, flexible technique in this rare in-person workshop with Chicago-based artist Shawn Sheehy.
The Pop-Up Vegetable Garden
Build a garden of delicious-looking, dimensional paper vegetables.
European Papermaking: April
Learn the tools, terminology, and procedures of European-style papermaking in this in-person studio workshop.
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (April)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (April)
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints focuses on printing multiple layers and building printers’ confidence using Vandercook presses through practice.
Handmade Book: Materials & Techniques: Evening
Learn to sew a two-color silk headband, make custom book cloth from any fabric, and color a book edge with gouache.
Box Building Magic
In this in-person workshop, learn how to build this unique and playful structure with an artist who has fine-tuned the box design.
Marbling Focus: Nonpareil & Chevron Variations
This in-person workshop focuses on sharpening skills needed to marble nonpareil and chevron patterns.
Flag Books
Learn to make a Flag Book, an innovative and adaptable book structure that uses an accordion spine and attachable "flag" pages.
Phežúta Mniȟúha: Medicine Paper
This in-person workshop explores the incorporation of traditional Indigenous plant material with papermaking processes.
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (February)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Introduction to Marbling: February
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
Foil adds rich gold, shiny silver, and wild holographic accents to prints and bindings. Learn how to use the hot foil stamping machines in MCBA’s bindery, aptly named Kwikprint machines.
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Press Play: Free Printing Event & Open House
Join us for Press Play, an annual open house that invites participants of all ages to experience letterpress printing and book arts through hands-on activities in MCBA’s studios.
Screen Print Totes
Screen print your unique design on three totes ahead of the gift-giving season!
Book Artist Badge Day
Join us in MCBA’s studios for a day of book arts and earn your Book Artist Badge!
First Saturday Tour Template (Month)
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for a free tour of our studios.
A Radical Alteration: Women’s Studio Workshop as a Sustainable Model for Art Making Gallery Tour and Reception
Join us for a gallery tour and exhibition recepetion for A Radical Alteration with visiting curator, Maymanah Farhat
Celebrating Elysa & Welcoming Courtney!
Join us as we celebrate Elysa Voshell's incredible leadership and officially welcome Courtney Gerber as MCBA's new Executive Director.
Artist Talk: In the Field
We're delighted to welcome Andrea Peterson to MCBA’s studios for a visit from northwest Indiana! Join us for an artist talk with Andrea Peterson, a papermaker who practices regenerative and sustainable methods on land that entwines her work and life.