Cyanotype Prints & Book Making

INSTRUCTOR: Judi Tentor
Course Fee: $150
Class Length: 8 hrs (multi-day)

Learn how to make blueprints using this historic analog photo process, then bind the prints using a Drum Leaf method of book binding. In this workshop, we will meet at mid-day, when the sun is the strongest for best exposure times, for ‘plein air’ cyanotype printing. We will create compositions from seaweed and other plant materiasl and objects. Students will learn techniques and tips for this alternative photo print process. In the second session we will bind together 5 prints using a Drum Leaf binding method. Participants are encouraged to bring flat objects such as keys, plant leaves and flowers, tools, lace, stencils, twine, and/or translucent things.

This is a two-day workshop, which meets from 11am to 3pm both days.

GELLÁGE: Gelli Plate Printing + Collaging

INSTRUCTOR: Graham Moore
Course Fee: $110
Class Length: 5 hrs

Combine the expressive power of gelli plate printing and the imaginative freedom of collage to create vibrant multi-media art! Gelli plates are fantastic tools for creating richly textured monoprints—each one a unique, unrepeatable impression. We’ll experiment with stencils, stamps, even bubble wrap, in our quest to produce a series of monoprints with layers of pattern and visual interest. Our textures will become even more dynamic with multiple pulls and printing on different types of paper. Once dry, these one-of-a-kind monoprints will be added to the mixed-media/collage art we’ll create in the latter half of this innovative, hands-on workshop. Be prepared to experiment, make art in the moment, and elevate your creativity! All materials provided. All levels welcome.

“Her-Story” Wood Type Posters

INSTRUCTOR: Janet Kupchick
Course Fee: $100
Class Length: 4 hrs

In honor of Women’s History Month, participants will select wood type from the Museum’s collection, learn how to lock their text into a chase, and then ink and print their poster. At the end of the workshop, there will be a print exchange, so that everyone takes home a portfolio of prints made during the workshop. This workshop is hands-on and very active. All materials provided. All experience levels welcome.

Letterpress Greeting Cards

INSTRUCTOR: Lorna Turner & Wendy Emery
Course Fee: $120
Class Length: 4 hrs

Design and print your own greeting cards, using cuts and wood type from the Museum’s collection to create handmade seasonal cards and messages on a printing press. After learning how to set wood type, lock it into a chase, and ink the press, you'll be able to create 25 cards for upcoming holidays. Minors (age 12-17) enrolled in this workshop must be accompanied by a paying adult. All materials provided. All experience levels welcome.

Linoleum Block Printing

INSTRUCTORS: Wendy Emery
Course Fee: $150
Class Length: 6 hrs

Join us for this special hands-on workshop focusing on linoleum block printing, where you'll learn how to how create and transfer your design onto a linoleum block, as well as the basic carving techniques that allow you to bring your vision to life. After the lunch break, you will also experience the satisfaction of inking your block and printing with it on the Museum's presses. You'll be able to keep and re-use your hand carved linoleum block for future projects, like cards, wall art, and more. Come join us for a day of creativity, exploration, and artistic expression. All levels welcome!

Intro to Typesetting & Letterpress Printing

INSTRUCTORS: Lorna Turner & Janet Kupchick
Course Fee: $250
Class Length: 12 hrs (multi-day)

In this two-day workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of points, picas, type size, leading, and sorts—the essential elements for crafting a beautifully printed letterpress book. Time permitting, students can also compose and print a calling card or postcard on a platen press.

Students will spend about half of their time setting their pages, and half the time printing what they've composed. At the end of the workshop, students will receive their own copy of the group's jointly-produced book, which will includes everyone's name and contribution.

Photo Realistic Letterpress

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Chamlee
Course Fee: $425
Class Length: 18 hrs (multi-day)

Continuous-tone photographic images are characterized by gradual transitions between shades and colors and have frustrated letterpress printers for decades. The need for the traditional halftone screen often produces coarse prints, difficult registration and color issues. In this technical hybrid workshop, which includes both online and and in-person components, participants will explore the possibilities of letterpress printing as a means of producing successful four-color process images. Two live Zoom sessions include discussion and demonstrations on how to achieve successful results, choosing and editing original images, color manipulation in PhotoShop, soft proofing and preparing files for photopolymer plates. Students will order their own photo polymer plates for original four-color images. Two weeks later, with plates in hand, we will meet in person for hands-on printing, plus demonstrations of technique and discussions of strategies for letterpress printing of multiple plates in tight registration.

Skill level: Students should have letterpress experience. In addition, Adobe PhotoShop and Adobe InDesign must be available on the participant's computer, and they must have a basic knowledge of each.

Pixel Hearts & LEGO Arts (Pairs)

INSTRUCTORS: Lorna Turner & Janet Kupchick
Course Fee: $180 (2 ppl)
Class Length: 4 hrs

Inspired by retro arcade legends like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Mario Bros, you and your partner, friend, teen, or child will turn tiny plastic tiles into your very own works of art! You’ll sketch your ideas on graph paper, build your design with LEGO tiles, ink up the press, and print your pixel masterpiece.

Your ticket is for two people, since this opportunity is expressly planned for double fun on the presses! By the end of the workshop, each creative pair will walk away with a collection of one-of-a-kind pixel art prints.

All skill levels welcome, and all materials are provided.
***Creative Pairs (All Adult–Youth or Friend Duos Welcome)

Platen Press Operation

INSTRUCTOR: Wendy Emery
Course Fee: $120
Class Length: 5 hrs

In this introductory workshop, participants will explore the possibilities of letterpress platen printing using both tabletop and floor model presses. There will be discussions about and demonstrations of oiling the press, locking a form into the chase, packing, setting guage pins, inking, feeding the press, and of course printing! All levels welcome for this educational and very hands-on workshop.

The Book Artist as Naturalist

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Chamlee
Course Fee: $325
Class Length: 13.5 hrs (multi-day)

This multi-disciplinary workshop explores the botanical contact printing process (eco-printing) to create images on paper with fresh and pressed plant materials provided by the instructor and collected by students. On the first day, students will learn botanical contact printing immersion techniques using dye baths on assorted paper and several nature printing techniques that don’t require a press. On the second day, the results will be used to create four books –- two non-adhesive no-sew structures, a multiple signature pamphlet, and a hybrid structure based on the accordion with pockets and sewn in signatures – all filled with rich visual content. Students will receive comprehensive handouts for all the book structures and nature printing techniques. This workshop is perfect for artists, designers, painters, printmakers, book artists and non-artists with interest making books and in the natural world. Knowledge of basic book binding is helpful, but not mandatory.

Type as Image

INSTRUCTORS: Janet Kupchick
Course Fee: $100
Class Length: 4 hrs

Using the familiar shapes of letterforms in a playful way to create designs, patterns and characters is the goal of this seasonally-inspired workshop, tho participants will also be encouraged to maintain focus on proper printing technique and principles of design (scale, repetition, white space, canvas area etc). This is a fun workshop that celebrates the magic of printing! Once the designs are set up, we’ll get busy printing the designs, creating a folio of posters to be exchanged at the end of class. All skill levels welcome, and all materials are provided.

Wild Colors: Ink & Pigments

INSTRUCTOR: Jocelyn Pedersen
Course Fee: $110
Class Length: 4 hrs

In this colorful workshop, we'll be making inks from forged plants like oak galls, acorn caps, and hibiscus blossoms. We'll also produce watercolors from earth pigments, including ochres, clays and rocks. After making test strips for the pigments, we'll explore expressive ways to paint and draw with the the inks and watercolors. Students will take home a bottle of ink and several half pans of watercolors. Paper will be supplied, but you're welcome to bring sketchbooks and papers to experiment with. Adults/teens of all experience levels welcome.

Make It & Take It

INSTRUCTOR: Glenn Laird
Course Fee: $140
Class Length: 6 hrs

Create custom-made tote bags, key chains, coffee mugs, notebooks, t-shirts, and buttons as you experiment with a variety of decoration methods to embellish gift items with your own pen and ink sketches, pre-printed artwork, dye-cut shapes, and watercolor sublimation painting. Artists welcomed, as well as folks who prefer to work from stencils, pre-printed artwork, dye-cut shapes, and rubber stamps. There is something for every skill level. Beginners welcome!

Please note: The workshop fee includes $25 worth of supplies (i.e. blank mugs, tote bags, notebooks, 100% poly t-shirts, etc); additional quantities available for purchase. Participants should bring their own 100% cotton t-shirts for vinyl transfers and pre-printed artwork button making.

Pressure Printing

INSTRUCTORS: Kupchick
Course Fee: $100
Class Length: 4 hrs

Pressure printing is an image-making technique that combines elements of collage, stencil and color to achieve playful patterns and textures. At this experimental printing workshop, participants will get to explore various pressure printing techniques. Join us in this low-stakes, creative environment grounded in exploration and letting go of expectations. This workshop is hands-on and very active. All levels welcome!