Art of the Book with Leah Virsik

Spend a fantastic week exploring simple book structures and filling them with meaningful, personal content. We’ll begin by transforming single sheets of paper into unique book forms, then bring them to life through collaborative exquisite corpse drawings, collage, and playful writing prompts.

Next, we’ll delve into how a reader might interact with a book through metaphor. Using pocket accordion structures, we’ll experiment with collage and drawing to explore ideas of concealment and revelation—what’s hidden, covered, or exposed. This can become a pathway into surrealism, intuition, or pure creative play.

We’ll also look at how found materials can spark unexpected inspiration. Whether repurposing personal archives or sourcing collage imagery, these discoveries will serve as jumping-off points for new ideas and directions. To wrap up the week, we’ll create a multi-section, hand-bound sketchbook designed to open flat—a beautiful space to continue your creative journey.

An interest in precision and prior bookbinding experience is helpful but not required.

• favorite mark-making tools, e.g. pencils, pens, markers, etc.
• bone folder
• scissors (if you need a new pair, these are my favorite)
• old catalog to use as scrap paper
• Tombow 62106 MONO Permanent Adhesive or glue stick or alternative adhesive you prefer for collage
• bookbinding awl (I like one at the Caning Shop, made by Kemper) typically these are fairly thin, see Bookbinders Awl for example
• cutting knife, e.g.: X-Acto with #11 blades
• self-healing cutting mat
• straight edge ruler (I like and recommend a clear plastic ruler like an Omnigrid ruler, which comes in a variety of sizes, OR a lightweight 2″ x 12″ ruler with 1/8-inch markings and a metal ruler to cut against)
• bookbinding needle (optional, I’ll have some to borrow)
• small paper trimmer (optional)
• watercolor and/or acrylic if you’d like to use paint
• folding table (optional)

Note that additional supplies may be added

Materials fee for paper, thread TBD