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North Bennet Street School

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Book Arts

Bookbinding 101

$300

with Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

Calendar Feb 21, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, February 21st & Sunday, February 22nd (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. 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. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Introduction to Linoleum Block Printing

$365

with Martha Kearsley BB '95

Calendar Feb 28, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, February 28th & Sunday, March 1st (2 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Martha Kearsley BB '95

Teaching Assistant: India Patel BB '24

This two-day workshop is a comprehensive introduction to designing, carving, and printing with linoleum blocks, and methods for printing on paper. Students will learn to transfer their designs and carve linoleum surfaces, and will learn methods of registration for printing multiple blocks and colors. Students will use a traditional platen press, as well as learn methods for printing without a press at all.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Introduction to Tunnel Books

$245

with Ariana Rutledge BB '22

Calendar Feb 28, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Saturday, February 28th

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Ariana Rutledge BB '22

In this workshop, students will learn a few different approaches to constructing accordion-style tunnel books. A tunnel book is a handmade book where the pages work together to create a dimensional scene that gives the illusion of depth and perspective. Students will be presented with a few different images/themes to choose from in creating their tunnel book models and will leave the class with a new bookbinding method and lots of inspiration for their own artist books. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class.  

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Italian Paper Bindings

$245

with Bill Hanscom

Calendar Mar 1, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, March 1st

Hours: 8:30 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 $20.00 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.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

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

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Introduction to Book Conservation

$675

with James Reid-Cunningham BB '90

Calendar Mar 6, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Friday, March 6 - Sunday, March 8 (3 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: James Reid-Cunningham BB'90

This course introduces students to techniques for the repair of 19th and 20th-century cloth case bindings. Bench work focuses on producing aesthetically pleasing repairs that preserve as much of the original book as possible. Each student will be provided with a damaged book to conserve, but students should also bring in their own books to work on. The course covers disbinding, mending the folds of sections, re-sewing a text block, making new inner hinges, tools, and techniques for lifting, rebacking, and color touch-ups.

Tools & Supplies: Each student is supplied with one book to work on; please also bring a few of your own. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

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

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Full Course

Bookbinding 101

$300

with Amy Lapidow BB '95

Calendar Mar 7, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 7th & Sunday, March 8th (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. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Behind Glass: Inset Picture Case Binding

$365

with Fionnuala Hart-Gerrity BB '11

Calendar Mar 14, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 14th & Sunday, March 15th (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, students will make a cloth-covered case-bound book with an image inset into the cover under glass. Students will 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 their 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 $10.00 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. 

Age Requirement:  Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Introduction to Linoleum Block Printing

$365

with Martha Kearsley BB '95

Calendar Mar 21, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

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

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Martha Kearsley BB '95

Teaching Assistant: India Patel BB '24

This two-day workshop is a comprehensive introduction to designing, carving, and printing with linoleum blocks, and methods for printing on paper. Students will learn to transfer their designs and carve linoleum surfaces, and will learn methods of registration for printing multiple blocks and colors. Students will use a traditional platen press, as well as learn methods for printing without a press at all.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 





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