September 23-25
10am - 4pm

Register with Sitka Center in Otis, Oregon

A rare in-person version of one my most popular workshops! Explore artist’s books that defy conventional front-to-back reading. In this intensive three-day workshop, we will explore six approaches to non-linear bookmaking, including one-sheet books, flexagons, dos-a-dos, French door, flag books, and volvelles. We will learn multiple versions of each structure and techniques for adding content that works in tandem to create meaning with the non-traditional bookforms. Examples of artists’ books that use these structures will be shown and discussed. The group will also engage in brief idea generation exercises and friendly critique of their own creations. Participants will have the option to participate in an editioned artist’s book exchange at the end of the workshop.

A brand new in-person workshop debuting at Minnesota Center for Book Arts, co-led by me and my rising-fourth grade daughter!

Saturday, August 17
9:30am - 12pm

Register with Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Let’s use simple paper tools to design fun characters in this workshop for kids and their grown-ups! Volvelles are types of spinnable wheel charts. First, we will make volvelles for faces and bodies. Then we’ll mix and match the faces, heads, and bodies to create unexpected and playful characters in a simple “stick bound” album. Characters will get names and descriptions like where they live, their special abilities, and more.

This in-person workshop will be led by a mother-and-daughter team, designed after activities that they regularly enjoy together. We will prioritize kids and their grown-ups working together on creative projects.

Participants will learn two relatively simple binding techniques that can be made again at home with basic supplies and gain insight into creating interactive tools to aid in design processes. Everyone will be encouraged to leave their inner critic at the door and let their imaginations run free!

This workshop is ideal for children ages 7–12 and their grown up.

One registration includes one adult and one child.

A brand new in-person workshop debuting at Minnesota Center for Book Arts!

Saturday, August 10
12–4pm CT

Register with Minnesota Center for Books Arts

How can simple book structures allow us to think with our brains and hands to expand our creative brainstorming process? In this combination skill-building and idea-generating workshop, we will make three tools to grow and develop character-based backstories. Projects will include the Character Caterpillar, World Building Pocketbook, and the Exquisite Twist Book. All structures are designed to be easily added to and made again independently.

Our time in the workshop will be divided into making the structures and then filling them with words, images, and abstraction to explore multiple ways of developing rich and layered backstory. Participants will leave with the three projects collected in a paper folio, as well as a robust set of ideas for their narratives.

This workshop will be useful for artists, writers, illustrators, photographers and anyone interested in developing narrative in their work.

This workshop is co-taught with Julia Sarcone-Roach, the author and illustrator of several picture books, including Subway Story, The Ice Cream Vanishes, There Are No Bears in This Bakery, and the New York Times bestselling The Bear Ate Your Sandwich. 

Japanese Decorative Paper & Bookbinding Workshop

Saturday, November 18
2-6pm

Sou'wester Lodge Pavilion
3728 J Place
Seaview, WA 98644

In this hands-on workshop we will be introduced to sekkazome (also known as orizomegami), which is a traditional Japanese form of folding and dying paper to create a variety of colorful patterns. We will then use our newly designed papers to bind into a traditional stab-bound book.

Link to Register!

Open Studio Tour

October 14
11am-5pm

I will be participating in the Open Studio Tours during Tacoma Arts Month again this year. The complete listings of all the studios you can visit that weekend will be published on the Tacoma Arts Month website soon.

Note that I’m only participating on Saturday this year because I also want to go out and check out other people’s work and spaces!

Custom Japanese Stab Binding Workshop

Saturday, October 7
12-4pm

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
550 Winslow Way East Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Design and sew your own, personalized stab bindings! This workshop guides students from looking at examples of successful stab binding designs through sketching patterns, developing unique templates, and stitching structures. Learning will include collaborative conversations and sharing works in progress with the class.

This workshop is appropriate for experienced beginners and intermediate binders who are comfortable sewing a basic four-hole stab binding.

Link to Register Here!

Olympia Zine Fest Expo
11am-4pm
Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Ave SE
(Tables will be set up behind the library on 9th Ave SE, between Franklin and Adams Streets SE)

I’m tabling at Olympia Zine Fest’s Expo this weekend! This is probably my favorite zine fest in the area. It’s still very connected to the zine roots in DIY culture and offers an exciting range of makers in an accessible festival. The festival has programming all weekend, so be sure to check out the whole schedule.

I am participating in a panel discussion on expanding accessibility to the art world for marginalized communities. Details and link are below. I hope to see you there!

Panel Discussion: Art and Accessibility
Tuesday, Feb 15, 6:30-8:00 EST

Zoom Link

Please join us for a discussion on expanding accessibility to the art world for marginalized communities. Hear what independent artists and arts and culture organizations are doing to bring the arts to underrepresented groups, the social and political impacts these endeavors inspire, and ideas on how we can all contribute to expanded access.

Hear what independent artists and arts and culture organizations are doing to bring the arts to underrepresented groups, the social and political impacts these endeavors inspire, and ideas on how we can all contribute to expanded access.

The panel consists of Nasheli Ortiz González, the executive director of Taller Puertorriqueño in Philadelphia, Michelle Millette with the Sherwood Forest Zine Library in Austin, TX, and Yuka Petz, an artist and alum of the UArts Print & Book program, based in Tacoma, WA,

Moderated by Elaina Brown-Spence, one of the founding members of the makeSPACE coalition, whose art addresses numerous social and political injustices through performance, audience interaction, and community engagement.