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North Bennet Street School

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Book Arts

Book Structures for Prints & Photographs

$360

with Bill Hanscom

Calendar Apr 26, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, April 26th & Sunday, April 27th (2 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bill Hanscom

This two-day class will present students with three different bindings that are ideal for artists working with printmaking, photography, and collage: The Drum Leaf; Hedi Kyle’s Storage Book; and the Japanese Accordion Album (Nori-ire gajo). Unlike a traditionally sewn codex, these structures use individual folios and only use adhesive in their construction, avoiding the complexities of imposition and allowing for a full view of the image with minimal preparation before binding.

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $30 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash, checks, or Venmo. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Prerequisite: Bookbinding 101 or equivalent experience. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Bookbinding 101

$297

with Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

Calendar May 3, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, May 3rd & Sunday, May 4th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

In this two-day workshop, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class will begin with a simple pamphlet and continue with constructing two multi-signature books known as flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students will construct a box to house all of their creations. Bookbinding 101 is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. 

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies are provided for this class. 

Prerequisite: None

Gold Tooling with Egg Glaire

$500

with Ariana Rutledge BB '22

Calendar May 3, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, May 3rd & Sunday, May 4th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Ariana Rutledge BB '22

Students will learn the basics of direct gold tooling with egg glaire from a historical trade-style approach. They will learn how to set their type and how to mark up the surface of their leather, along with many other tips and tricks. The skills learned in this class, although directly related to a quicker trade bindery method, can be helpful to any type of gold finishing work. Success as a finisher comes only with significant practice and patience; the goal of this class is to provide students with the opportunity to get a feel for the process so that they are equipped to continue to practice on their own.

Tools & Supplies: A notebook, pencil, apron, and a leather book you'd like to tool (not required - practice plaquettes will be provided). All other tools and supplies will be provided.

Attire: Students should bring an apron, smock, or wear clothing that they don't mind getting dirty.

Prerequisite: None

Behind Glass: Inset Picture Case Binding

$360

with Fionnuala Hart-Gerrity BB '11

Calendar May 10, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, May 10th & Sunday, May 11th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Fionnuala Hart-Gerrity BB '11

Inspired by Cosway style bindings of the early 20th century, make a cloth-covered case bound book with images inset into the cover under glass. We’ll look at images of historical examples, make a test plaquette to learn the process, and then complete a book with a small image or artwork of your choice.

Tools & Supplies: *A glass covering will be provided to students for their model, and if students would like any additional glass coverings, the instructor will have extras available to purchase for $10 each. The instructor accepts cash, checks, Venmo, PayPal, and credit cards via Square. All other tools and supplies are provided for this class.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, Fundamentals of Bookbinding II, or equivalent experience with basic case binding. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu. 

Fundamentals of Bookbinding II

$1,094

with Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

Calendar Jun 1, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Dates: Sundays, June 1-29 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

This course will focus on hardcover structures. Students will continue with rounded back case bindings and end the course with a book with words. Throughout the course, students will fine-tune their skills through repetition and develop a focus on details such as endpaper structures and headband variations. Topics of discussion will include an overview of bindery equipment, such as stamping on the Kwikprint and trimming with the plough.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies are provided for this class.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Bookbinding I or equivalent experience. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Bookbinding 101

$297

with Amy Lapidow BB '95

Calendar Jun 14, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, June 14th & Sunday, June 15th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Amy Lapidow BB '95

In this two-day workshop, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class will begin with a simple pamphlet and continue with constructing two multi-signature books known as flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students will construct a box to house all of their creations. Bookbinding 101 is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. All levels of experience are welcome to register.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies are provided for this class. 

Prerequisite: None

Full Course

Italian Paper Bindings

$245

with Bill Hanscom

Calendar Jun 14, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Saturday, June 14th

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bill Hanscom

Explore the history and use of inexpensive paper-covered book structures beginning at the advent of the printed book in Europe and continuing through the industrial revolution of the nineteenth century. During this one-day workshop, participants will create two models of bindings commonly used in the Italian region: a plain paper wrapper and a laced paper case. Models will incorporate handmade papers as well as historically employed sewing techniques and end-sheet constructions. Structural variations and decoration will be examined through images and historical examples from the instructor's collection.

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $20 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash, checks, or Venmo. All tools are provided for this class.

Prerequisite: Bookbinding 101, Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, or equivalent experience. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.  

Marbling with Acrylics: Simply Stone and the Ethereal Shell

$517

with Chena River Marblers

Calendar Jun 21, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, June 21st & Sunday, June 22nd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Chena River Marblers

Teaching Assistant: TBA

The simple marbled stone pattern is named for its resemblance to a mass of small, smooth pebbles. It has been universally popular with bookbinders for over 350 years.  In this workshop, students will learn how to prepare paints especially for this style of marbling, as well as how to make and prepare paints for the much-loved classical shell stone pattern, which is distinguished by the ethereal halos around each stone.  These basic stone and shell patterns explode into a dazzling array of possibilities. We will explore and discover together as many of these variations as time allows.  

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $65 fee for tools and materials due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash, check, or credit card. All other tools and supplies will be provided. 

Attire: Please wear shoes that are comfortable for standing in (and that you don't mind getting wet!). Clothes may get paint on them, so please dress accordingly or bring an apron. 

Prerequisite: Beginner Paper Marbling or equivalent experience. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu

Full Course




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