Summer Week 4 | Binding Family Stories: Making Artists Books as Archives

This program is part of our Summer Program, beginning on Sunday (July 5) and ending on Saturday (July 11).  Class runs Monday morning through Friday morning, with additional programming on Sunday and Saturday.

In this class, we will explore the artist book as a powerful and intimate medium for storytelling, memory keeping, and family history preservation. Whether you’re interested in creating a keepsake of a beloved vacation, visually mapping your ancestry, or experimenting with the interplay of personal and collective memory, this class invites you to bind the threads of time into tactile, visual form.

Through a variety of bookbinding techniques, students will create their own artist books that serve as living archives—layered with imagery, narrative, ephemera, and material memory. We’ll study examples of contemporary and historical artist books, reflect on themes of lineage and legacy, and experiment with structure, texture, and form. No prior bookmaking experience is required—just a curiosity about how stories live on the page and in our hands.

Come ready to fold, stitch, collage, and create a book that holds your story!

What creative modalities are used in this course? 

Bookmaking; Mixed Media; Stitching

What can I expect to create in this class?  

Participants can expect to make 2-4 blank books, plus an artist book of their design. 

What will class time be like?

During class students will plan their design concept, sort through materials, and make their books.

Will I need to work outside of class?  

It would be helpful for your project, but it is not required.

Do I need experience to take this class? 

All levels of experience are welcome!

What do I need to bring to class? 

Though not required, students are encouraged to bring family history items, images, and favorite collage materials.