Clamshell Boxes 2023
Event Info
This three-day, in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Friday, April 28 from 6:00pm–9:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, from 10:00am–4:00pm.
- Friday, April 28, 6:00pm–9:00pm
- Saturday, April 29, 10:00am–4:00pm
- Sunday, April 30, 10:00am–4:00pm
Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on April 21, at 11:59 pm.
About the Workshop:
This in-person class at Center for Book Arts is taught by instructor Carolyn Chadwick.
Boxmaking is an essential skill for any bookbinder. The clamshell box is a terrific way to protect and preserve a first edition, an antiquarian book, an artist’s book or a suite of prints. It keeps out light, dust and prevents the wear and tear on the shelf. This class will focus on the basic techniques – accurate measuring, cutting, and gluing. The critical aspect of making a clamshell box is precision in measuring. The 1st tray needs to hold a book or sheets without rubbing but without room for movement. The 2nd tray needs to fit the first. And the cover needs to pull it all together so it opens and closes properly and stands up straight. Participants will come away with a finished clamshell box to hold a book — great opportunity for book artists and bookbinders!
Required Materials:
All staff, artists, students, and guests are required to show proof of vaccination upon entering CBA and must wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times. If you have a medical or religious exemption, please email corina@centerforbookarts.org.
Required Materials:
- A book you would like to make a box for (no larger than 11″h x 8.5″ wide x 2″ deep)
- Bone folder
- scalpel with new blades
All other materials will be provided by Center for Book Arts at no additional cost.
About Carolyn Chadwick
Carolyn Chadwick has been bookbinding since about 1980 when she signed on to work with English trained bookbinder Mark Tomsett in New York and worked with him for 12 years, learning on the bench. She moved on to the Conservation Department at NYPL and then to self-employment. Carolyn has taught throughout her career at a number of institutions including The Center for Book Arts, The Craft Students League and The Brookfield Craft Center.
All images courtesy of the instructor.
Class size is limited to ensure an optimal participant to Instructor ratio. Register now before spots fill up! Registration for this workshop closes on March 24 at 11:59pm. Participants are required to comply with CBA’s Covid-19 health and safety measures. If you cannot comfortably pay tuition but are interested in taking this class, please consider filling out our financial assistance application here. We will notify you if you are selected to receive a scholarship before the start date of the class. To view more information about our current scholarship opportunities, please visit this link.
