Paired-Station Coptic Binding – Fall 2023
This virtual workshop takes place on Zoom on Tuesdays, October 10 and 17, from 6pm–8pm:
- Tuesday, October 10, 6:00pm–8:00pm
- Tuesday, October 17, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on Tuesday, October 3 at 11:59pm
About the Workshop:
This two-session virtual workshop taught by CBA instructor Scott McCarney is an introduction to the paired-station coptic sewing (dating from the 5th century CE and still in use today!) which is suitable for binding single sheets, folios and/or gathered sections in a single book structure. It is an exposed spine, unsupported sewing that is sturdy and allows the book to lie flat.
Students will be making two books: a single sheet sample with card pages and one of folded and gathered sections. Once these have been mastered, the techniques can be combined to make books of an infinite variety of sections and materials.
Learn a new skill for your bookmaking toolbox and register ASAP!
Required Materials:
Students will need the following materials:
- Light cardboard and heavy cardboard.
- Text weight / copy paper
- Color text weight paper (optional)
- Bone folder
- Paper awl
- Paper knife (a table knife or butter knife will suffice)
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Needles
- Thread (two colors of thread would be good but not a deal breaker)
More specific materials lists will be provided in the email sent upon registration.
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.
All images courtesy of the instructor.
