The Café will be closed for remodel from Aug 12 through Sept 5, 2024. | Due to construction, Museum parking may be limited at the time of your visit. Look for additional parking in free or metered spaces along nearby streets.

Bookbinding: Six Books – One Day

Saturday, August 26 / 10:30 am – 4:30 pm

This class features new non-adhesive book structures so returning students will find new challenges and new students will enjoy learning from start-to finish. Create a miniature book with pockets, two types of multi-signature sewn books, two variations on the concertina, and an easy folded box that you can adjust in size to protect any document or book. These fun projects are a great way to become acquainted with the tools and materials of bookbinding, or to further hone and develop your bookbinding skills.

Supply List: Pencil, 18” metal ruler, Xacto knife, bookbinding awl, bone folder, scissors, medium binder clips, doublestick tape

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: Adults (15+) / All Levels

Box Making: The Clamshell and Two Drawer Box

Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30 / 10 am – 4 pm

Not only for housing books, hand made boxes have a variety of functions. This course will teach the basics of decorative box construction. Using hard binders’ board and marbled paper, learn to construct a functional and decorative box with two drawers, as well as an elegant Clamshell. By mastering the basic template for these box models, students will gain the necessary skills for other varieties of boxes, while also enhancing their bookbinding skills. The instructor will bring many beautiful, one of a kind marbled fabrics and paper from which to choose to cover your unique box.

Supply list: Brush for glue, sharp scissors.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Introduction to Paper Marbling

Sunday, August 27 / 10 am – 5 pm

In this introductory class, student will gain a basic understanding of history, techniques, tools and styles of European marbling. Students will get hands on experience of all aspects of marbling from paper priming and preparatory mixing of water medium and paints, to the creation of classical patterns. Specific attention will be given to learning how to obtain particular designs using a diverse array of rakes and combs. Students will have ample time for experimentation with guidance from the instructors. All materials included with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Introduction to Textile Marbling

Thursday, August 10 / 10 am – 5 pm

This extension of our popular Introduction to Paper Marbling workshop will help students take their marbling skills to the next level as they learn to marble on fabric that can be used for covering books and boxes.

Students will begin the day by working on marbling skills with the introduction of marbling on fabric. With the instructor’s guidance, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. The main focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth, and techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. At the end of the day, the instructor will demonstrate how to prepare pieces of marbled cloth for use in bookbinding. Students will leave with their own stack of 15 marbled fabric pieces.

This workshop is open to beginners and will build on the skills learned in Introduction to Paper Marbling for returning students.  All materials provided with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / Opening to new and returning students

Summer Intensive: Batik Papers for Books, Boxes and Cards

Tuesday – Thursday, June 13 – 15 / 9 am – 3 pm

Create beautiful books and cards using the Javanese tradition of batik. With tjanting tools in hand, participants will dip into melted wax and draw lines, shapes, and letters on papers which will later be brightly painted with dyes. Wax will be ironed out, and the papers are then ready for measuring, cutting, and folding into unique projects. Adding words comes next with the introduction and practice of a monoline alphabet style. You will be delighted with the process and your artworks!

Instructor: Carol Pallesen
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Supply List:

  • Pencil
  • Eraser & sharpener
  • Bone folder
  • Ruler (12″ or 18″ metal, cork-backed ruler)
  • Watercolor and/or sumi brushes (whatever you have, in a variety of sizes)
  • Inexpensive brushes in 1″ and/or 2″ size (available in hardware stores for less than a dollar)
  • X-acto knife and cutting surface
  • Scissors
  • Water jar
  • Gloves (if you’re concerned about dye stains on your hands; they wash off in a day or so)
  • An old rag, and/or an old sponge
  • Wear grubbies and/or apron
  • Pigma pen (01 black; other colors and brands are fine)
  • Practice paper (a few sheets about 8½″ x 11″ or 9″ x 12″, thin enough to see guidelines through; I like Strathmore 300 Sketch)
  • An extra-fine gold and/or silver metallic pen
  • Any line drawings or patterns which you might find inspiring while you make your wax lines on the papers (I’ll bring some ideas to share with you)
  • One full roll of paper towels
  • Scratch paper (about 40 – 50 sheets of 8½” x 11” or a bit larger, used computer or xerox paper: reduce, recycle, reuse!)
  • A shoe box lid or similar (helpful to carry dyes on lid from my table to yours in the classroom)
  • Pointed nib and nib holder (such as a Nikko G or Zebra nib)
  • Gold, silver, and/or white gouache and mixing dish
  • Two sheets of Arches text wove paper, 26″ x 40″
  • Water container to rinse out brushes (large yogurt or similar plastic container; lightweight and you can pack other items in it for travel)
  • Glue stick (I like UHU)
  • Cutting surface: about 8″ x 10″ or 9″ x 12″ (self-healing mat or scrap of matboard or whatever you have)

Please contact Carol, 775-329-6983 or email carol.pallesen@gmail.com with supply questions or if you need to borrow something.

Summer Intensive: Linocut Techniques

Tuesday – Thursday, August 22 – 24 / 10 am – 3 pm

Beginners and intermediate printmakers alike will enjoy this project-based approach to linoleum-cut printmaking. Learn several techniques for multicolor printing as well as how to carve simple, beautiful patterns and images into linoleum. We will print using Japanese hand printing techniques and on the etching press. Students will be able to work from their own images at their own pace. Katherine will cover strategies for working with key blocks and tint blocks, developing pattern and choosing images that lend themselves especially well to this process. Students will complete this class with a small edition of handcut prints. You’ll learn all about the tools, techniques and resources you need to be begin linoleum carving and printing at home.

Supply list: Pencil, any 5×7 black and white images (photocopies or laser prints) you may be interested in using for a print (some will also be provided), linoleum or wood carving tools if you have them. All other materials are included with your registration.

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Book Arts: Foundational Calligraphy

Tuesdays, October 18 – November 15 / 6 – 9 pm

This beautiful, clear, and simple style of calligraphic writing is based on a circular “o.” The analysis of these lovely rounded shapes is a great place for students to begin a calligraphy education or to improve and refine skills for those who have previously studied lettering. Students will artfully letter minuscule and majuscule forms with pen and ink on paper to illustrate words.

Instructor: Carol Pallesen
Ages: Adult (15+)

Required Supplies:

Notebook (optional), 3mm Brause nib, nib holder, Higgins Eternal Ink, ink dishes (small to hold ink, larger to hold small dish), paper (Strathmore 300 Series Sketch 9×12″ tapebound), rag, apron, baby wipes.

If you have any questions regarding these supplies, please call Carol Pallesen directly (775 329-6983) and she will be able to assist you.

Handmade Books: From A to Z

Wednesdays, October 12 – November 16 / 6 – 9 pm

Make lots of handmade books! In this condensed version of Katherine’s week-long undergraduate course, we will create an array of different book structures: hard cover, soft cover, single and multiple signature books, easy folded books and Asian bindings. We’ll cover every aspect of bookbinding from A to Z, and students will finish with the tools, techniques and resources needed to start bookbinding at home. 

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels 

Supply List: 
Metal ruler, bone folder, bookbinding awl, X-acto knife, pencil, a few medium and small binder clips, double-stick tape, 1″ glue brush. All other materials are included with your registration.

Linocuts: Botanical Blossoms

Saturday, July 23 / 10:30 am – 4:30 pm

Learn to carve simple, beautiful patterns or images in linoleum and print them using Japanese hand printing techniques. The botanical images we’ll be working with in this class lend themselves especially well to this versatile printmaking process. Found images can be transformed into vibrantly layered compositions using Katherine’s easy transfer and carving techniques. Everyone will leave with a small edition of botanical prints. You’ll learn all about the tools, techniques and resources you need to be begin linoleum carving and printing at home. *Supply list.

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Summer Intensive: Handmade Books – From A-Z

Monday – Wednesday, July 18 – 20 / 10 am – 3 pm

Make lots of handmade books! In this condensed version of Katherine’s weeklong undergraduate course, we will create an array of different book structures–hard cover, soft cover, single and multiple signature books, easy folded books and Asian bindings. We’ll cover every aspect of bookbinding from A to Z, and everyone will finish with the tools, techniques and resources needed to start bookbinding at home. 

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels 

Supply List: 
Metal ruler, bone folder, bookbinding awl, X-acto knife, pencil, a few medium and small binder clips, double-stick tape, 1″ glue brush. All other materials are included with your registration.