NEGBW Bind-along: The Continuously Convoluting Carousel

Update: We’re so pleased that there’s been so much interest in the Continuously Convoluting Carousel structure. This means that the Bind-along has sold out. However, the Show and Tell will be open to everyone, not just for the Bind-along participants, so feel free to join us then! Registration for the August 19th Show and Tell will be forthcoming.

If you want to learn the structure on your own, Graham offers the instruction booklets for sale here: A Manual of Instruction for the Continuously Convoluting Carousel.

We look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with – see you in August for the Show and Tell!

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Join the New England Guild of Book Workers as we create our own Continuously Convoluting Carousels from home! This structure, invented by member Graham Patten, can be inverted on itself indefinitely, revealing a sequence of four different hidden openings or displays. Currently featured in the NEGBW’s 40th Anniversary Exhibition with artwork by Sarah Smith, the structure employs the same double-action hinges of a Jacob’s Ladder toy to create the carousel movement. Graham presented on this structure at the 2019 Standards of Excellence in 2019; that video is available to GBW members here.

How it works: Registration includes a kit of pre-cut and measured materials and an instruction book to be sent to your address. You supply basic tools and adhesive (PVA). Graham will hold an online “orientation session” for participants on July 15 at 7:30pm ET to introduce the structure, review the instructions, and answer any preliminary questions (note: you do not need your materials kit for the first session – it will be recorded so you can refer back to it). You’ll then have a month to work on your carousel, with Graham available via email for any particularly tricky questions. We’ll meet again on August 19 at 7:30pm ET for an online Show and Tell session. You can show your assembled kit, or make another carousel with your own materials if desired. We look forward to seeing what you make!

• Event Location: Zoom
• Event Dates and Time: 
  • Intro session on July 15, 2021 at 7:30pm ET
  • Show and Tell session on August 19, 2021 at 7:30pm ET
• Deadline for Registration: TBD; limited to 20 participants
• Price for Members: $45
• Price for Non-Members: $60

Meet the Makers: Contemporary Book Artists

In celebration of the NEGBW’s 40th Anniversary exhibition, the Boston Athenæum is hosting a virtual panel discussion called Meet the Makers: Contemporary Book Artists.

Join artists Erin Fletcher, Nancy Leavitt, and Julie Stackpole as they explore what it means to make and collect books in the twenty-first century with Curator of Rare Books and Head of Special Collections John Buchtel. All three artists have work featured in 40 Years: Celebrating the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers, on view at the Athenæum through August 7, 2021. Their work can also be found in the Athenæum’s Special Collections alongside historic and contemporary fine bookbindings, artists’ books and manuscripts by local, national, and international makers.

This event is free for Athenæum members and Virtual Event Season Pass holders and $5 for the public.

Register here: https://www.bostonathenaeum.org/events/7444/virtual-event-panel

40 Years: Celebrating the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers

Exhibit at the Boston Athenæum – May 15 – August 7, 2021

Founded in 1906, the Guild of Book Workers seeks to broaden public awareness of the hand book arts. The Guild hosts educational opportunities, sponsors exhibitions, and advocates for high standards and sound conservation practices. In 1980, a group of passionate bookbinders, conservators, printers, papermakers, book artists, and their supporters in and around Boston rallied for the creation of the Guild’s first regional chapter. Following the New England Chapter’s establishment, new regional chapters soon followed, expanding support for a widening community of book workers around the country.

This exhibition celebrates 40 years of creativity fostered by the New England Chapter. The works on display represent a broad spectrum of tradition and innovation, spanning expertly crafted fine and design bindings, as well as beautifully sculpted artists’ books and boxes. 

With rich holdings in the contemporary and historic book arts, and with overlaps in our collections, membership, and staff, the Boston Athenæum is pleased to continue our support for the Chapter by serving as the opening venue for the exhibition.

Events at the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is hosting a couple events in conjunction with our 40th Anniversary Exhibition next spring! More details at this link: https://usm.maine.edu/bookarts/workshop-series

A Wider Purpose: Maker Talk with Members of the Guild of Book Workers, New England Chapter

Wednesday, February 3, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

The Guild of Book Workers New England Chapter 40th Anniversary Exhibition features works by 30 artists, some of which were completed as early as 2004, and one of which remains in progress. Exhibitor and GBW Board Member Jennifer Pellecchia will give a “gallery talk”, and discuss some of the challenges and advantages of moving the exhibition online. Katrina Carye, Colin Urbina, and Stephanie Wolff, will speak about the works they submitted, and the ways that current events have shaped their creative lives.

Link to Register: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpcOyppzItE9Gdr4gTZi_U98ZZq-M-6v05

Workshop: A Wardrobe of Paper Cases with Karen Hanmer

Saturday, February 27, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Description:

In this one session online workshop we will quickly construct a text block using a very speedy sewing technique. This will free up the remainder of our time together to concentrate on folding a variety of paper cases to dress this text block ”mannequin”. As each case is presented, suggestions will be given on appropriate sewing techniques and endsheet constructions for that particular structure. All structures are low or no adhesive. All can be constructed in a sparsely-equipped home studio with minimal specialized equipment. This workshop is appropriate for intermediate binders, beginners who are ready for a fast-paced workout, and anyone who wants to add more paper cases to their repertoire.

Bio:

Karen Hanmer’s artist-made books are physical manifestations of personal essays intertwining history, culture, politics, science and technology. She utilizes both traditional and contemporary book structures, and the work is often playful in content or format. Hanmer is winner of the Jury Prize for Binding in the 2009 Helen Warren DeGolyer American Bookbinding Competition. One of only ten graduates of the American Academy of Bookbinding’s Fine Binding program, Hanmer has studied with many notable fine binders. She exhibits widely, and her work is included in collections ranging from Tate Britain and the Library of Congress to UCLA and Graceland. Solo exhibition venues include Florida Atlantic University, University of the West of England Bristol, and the Center for Book Arts (NYC).

Register here: https://www.enrole.com/usmmaine/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=C2021PAPERCASES_S21&courseId=C_2021PAPERCASES&categoryId=439B988

New England Chapter 40th Anniversary Online Exhibit

We are pleased to announce the launch of the New England Chapter 40th Anniversary Exhibition! Members from across the nation created a range of bindings from traditional fine bindings to creative design bindings. There are innovative artist books and sculptural pieces. We hope you enjoy this exhibit as it showcases the brilliant and creative community that makes up the New England Chapter.

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We will be launching a series of interviews about our past Chapter Chairs. Announcements will follow when they become available. We are also creating programming around our exhibit, so stay tuned!

Virtual exhibit tour: Louise Imogen Guiney in Boston

Virtual exhibit tour: Louise Imogen Guiney in Boston
Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 5:30 – 6:30pm (EST)
Click here to register by November 9

The John J. Burns Library welcomes you to a special virtual tour of their exhibit “Devoted Catholic & Determined Writer: Louise Imogen Guiney in Boston”. Because of the state restrictions on the size of gatherings, this will be a virtual tour. The tour is open to all.

The tour will be led by Burns Library conservator and exhibit curator Barbara Adams Hebard and Burns Librarian Christian Dupont. Louise Imogen Guiney (1861-1920), one of only two women represented in stained-glass portraits of American authors in Bapst Library at Boston College, may have faded from the canon, yet she continues to offer a unique window into the multifaceted literary establishment of late 19th-century Boston.

Video Recording of the NEGBW Show and Tell – Uppercase Magazine // September 23, 2020

This is a very special Show and Tell, sponsored by the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers, featuring bindings of the Encyclopedia of Inspiration! We were so delighted to be joined by Janine Vangool of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and the Publisher of Uppercase Magazine, and Todd Pattison and Sharon Pattison. Janine spoke about how the Uppercase Encyclopedia of Inspiration was developed and Todd spoke about the history of the binding project, and detailed how he facilitates distributing the Encyclopedia in sheets to each group of binders.

Ten talented binders shared the books they made for the project. They are:

Jackie Scott, Providence, RI, USA (Feed Sacks)
Tara O’Brien, Philadelphia, PA, USA (Stitch-Illo)
Erwin Huebner, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Vintage Life)
Marcia Vogel, Vermont, USA (Vintage Life)
Todd Davis, Boston, MA, USA (Vintage Life)
Brenda Gallagher, Boulder, CO, USA (Vintage Life)
Victoria Birth, Salt Lake City, UT (Vintage Life)
Debra Frances, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA (Ephemera)
Lucia Farias, Monterrey, Mexico (Ephemera)
Jodee Fenton, Seattle, WA, USA (Quilted, website forthcoming – please also visit Print/Maker!)

Join us for a Zoom Show and Tell Event – Uppercase: Encyclopedia of Inspiration – September 23

Please join the Guild of Book Workers, New England Chapter, as we revisit our karaoke-style show and tell format, this time with a special theme!

Janine Vangool, will join us from Calgary, Canada, to talk about publishing Uppercase, a magazine for the creative and curious, and the Encyclopedia of Inspiration, a series of books celebrating creativity, craft, and design.
Since the first volume of the Encyclopedia was published in 2016, Janine has generously provided copies in sheets to book artists, who use them to create one-of-a-kind bindings inspired by the contents. This project has been facilitated by Todd Pattison, Conservator for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and an active member of the Guild of Book Workers. He’ll be on hand to speak more about the project, and will introduce us to some of the makers who have participated.

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Join us, won’t you?
Wednesday, September 23
7:00 – 8:00pm (EST)

To RSVP, please fill out the following form. Zoom info will be sent closer to the event.

This event will be free and open to the public. Please note that we will be recording this session and uploading it to Vimeo for all Guild members to view. This video will be available only to Guild members and will be password protected. You many turn off your camera if you do not wish to be recorded.

Click on each book to see all the bindings that were made for it!

Feed Sacks	Stitch•illo	Print/Maker	Ephemera	Vintage Life

Join us for the NEGBW Annual Meeting 2020

The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers will host its 2020 Annual Meeting online this year. We hope to maintain the same sense of community and member input that we strive for at every annual meeting.

Please join us for a presentation by Sarah Pike who will be speaking about the various services she offers at FreeFall Laser. We’ve also invited three different makers to speak about how they’ve used laser-cutting in recent projects: Amy Borezo, Andrea Dezsö and Aspen Golann. Please see below for more information on the presenters.

NEGBW Annual Meeting
Wednesday, August 26
7:00 – 8:30pm (EST)

Following the discussion, Chapter Chair Erin Fletcher will give updates on Chapter Business.

RSVP: Please register here if you plan to attend. Zoom info will be sent prior to the meeting. The meeting is open to both members and non-members.

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Sarah Pike is a printmaker and owner of FreeFall Laser, a laser-cutting studio specializing in collaborating with artists and artisans to create custom work that combines technical expertise with artistic exploration. She received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Prior to opening FreeFall Laser, Sarah taught studio arts at the Community College of Vermont and printmaking at Bennington College, where she was the Technical Instructor of Printmaking.

Amy Borezo | Shelter Bookworks

Amy Borezo is an artist working in the book form. She owns and operates Shelter Bookworks, an edition binding studio located in Western Massachusetts. Amy has used laser cutting to assist in decorative techniques for fine press edition binding. This includes laser engraving a plexiglas plate to emboss leather, as well as cutting complex shapes out of book board. Amy has also used laser cutting to create imagery in her own artist’s books.

Andrea Dezsö

Andrea Dezsö is a visual artist who works across a broad range of media including drawing, painting, artist’s books, embroidery, cut paper, animation, sculpture, site-specific installation and public art. Dezsö’s permanent public art has been installed in three New York City subway stations, at the United States Embassy in Bucharest, Romania and at CUNY BMCC Fiterman Hall in Lower Manhattan. Community Garden, Dezsö’s mosaic in the New York City subway was recognized as Best American Public Art in 2007 by Americans for the Arts. Dezsö worked with FreeFall Laser to produce seven large scale laser-cut tunnel books for her upcoming exhibition From the Murky Banks of Chattahoochee, a site-specific installation at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

Aspen Golann

Aspen Golann is an artist and a 17th & 18th century-style furniture maker from Boston, MA. Of her collaboration with Free Fall Laser, she writes: “I pursued glass enameling because I was looking for a way to integrate my paintings into my furniture practice. Sarah Pike was able to faithfully translate my drawings into vector files and cut my hand drawn lines into clear sticky plastic. From there I was able to apply the cut plastic to shaped glass and remove pieces and apply glass enamels one section at a time. That process is what gives my airbrushed patterns their sharp lines and contrast. From there I pour silvering chemicals by hand to capture the enameled sections within a functional mirror.”

Read This Out Loud

Books have always been a vessel for storing and spreading information. As bookbinders we can use our skills right now to help disseminate information for the Black Lives Matter movement and introduce all types of people to the facts about police brutality.

Sarah Bryant, Big Jump Press, has shared her book Read This Out Loud as a free downloadable PDF that can be easily bound. On her blog, you can find the link to the PDF, plus some video tutorials for how to bind it.

Read This Out Loud is meant to be distributed for free or if sold, all proceeds should go toward Black Lives Matter or a similar organization.

The book was designed in June 2020 in a response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and includes the names of people who have died by police brutality. Check out Sarah’s blog for more information about the book itself and how this information was compiled.