Bookmaking with Glue-Stick / Duct Tape / Staples (Winter 2022)

Event Info

This virtual workshop takes place via Zoom on Thursdays, January 13 & 20 from 10am–12pm ET.

About the Workshop:

Led by Instructor Scott McCarney, this two-session workshop on DIY bookmaking using unconventional and everyday materials is designed for students at all levels, no previous experience is necessary.

In the first workshop session, McCarney will show examples of books that utilize common yet unusual supplies for bookbinding that illustrate how humble tools, techniques, and materials can directly reflect the concept and even become the content of an artist’s book. McCarney will also demonstrate how to make a concertina album, a simple yet elegant lay-flat book that is his go-to glue-stick binding. Two ways of folding a concertina will also be demonstrated.

In the second workshop session, McCarney will demonstrate a drummed board cover for the concertina album and introduce a woven-tape binding, another lay-flat structure with potent possibilities for artist’s books.

Required Materials:

• 10 sheets of text weight paper measuring 3.5 x 8.5 inches (20 or 24 lb. copy paper works)
• 8 sheets of cover weight paper measuring 3.5 x 8.5 inches (60 – 80 lb. is good)
• 2 sheets of cover weight paper measuring 3.5 x 9 inches (60 – 80 lb. is good)
• 8 – 10 sheets of cover weight paper measuring 5.5 x 8.5 inches (60 – 80 lb. is good)
• 2 pieces of cardboard measuring 3.5 x 4.25 inches (cereal box is good)
• 8 – 10 pieces of cardboard measuring 4.25 x 5.5 inches (cereal box is good)
• 2 sheets of decorative or contrasting paper measuring 4.5 x 5.25 inches
• 2 sheets of decorative or contrasting paper measuring 3.25 x 4 inches
• Bone folder
• X-acto knife
• Cutting mat
• Scissors
• UHU glue stick
• Stapler
• Duct tape

See if any of these items are available in CBA’s bookshop–>

About the Instructor

Scott McCarney is an artist, designer, and educator based in Rochester, New York.

His primary art practice has been in book form since 1980 and spans many media, from offset and digital printing to sculptural and site-specific installation.

His bookworks can be found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and Yale University Art Gallery, among others. His work is shown internationally (Sao Paulo, Brazil; Melbourne, Australia; Baku, Azerbaijan) as well as closer to home (Hallwalls, Buffalo NY; Everson Museum, Syracuse NY; Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester NY).

His teaching and lecturing itinerary is varied and eclectic, carrying the banner of artist’s books to Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Mexico, and South America. He recently concluded 16 years of teaching in the College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Images courtesy the Instructor.