In this joint workshop between Zygote and the Morgan, participants will make a beautiful hard-bound journal with a cover of their own design! In the first two sessions at Zygote, you will learn how to carve and block print  the cover design for your journal. No previous printmaking or bookbinding experience is necessary – you will be using simple carving tools and easy-to-carve linoleum plates. The following weekend at the Morgan, you will learn how to make a hard-bound journal. This 7″ x 5″ journal will be hand sewn, and cased in boards covered with your print. The cloth spine will allow for flexibility to easily write and draw in your journal. Using these traditional bookbinding techniques, you’ll be able to make many more journals or sketchbooks in the future.

Morgan Instructor Bio:

Fran Kovac is a bookbinder in private practice in Cleveland, and has modeled book bindings that stretch from the 4th Century C.E. to the 20th.  Working often with wood and metal, she  adapts historic binding structures to contemporary applications.  Fran has studied bookbinding with Pamela Spitzmueller, Hedi Kyle, Jim Croft, Julia Miller, Dan Essig, and Shanna Leino, among many others.

Zygote Instructor Bio:

Elyse is a fine art printmaker. She received her BFA from Bowling Green State University, during which she was a shop monitor along with president of Print Society. She has been a print assistant for a variety of artists practicing in a range of techniques such as Kathryn Polk, Amze Emmons, and Lauren Kussro. After graduation Elyse went on to assistant teach relief/mono-print, and lithography at BGSU, until moving to Cleveland and becoming a shop technician intern at Zygote Press. While interning here she also interned as an exhibition curator at Heights Arts. Throughout her professional career Elyse has been a part of charitable printmaking, printing shirts for organizations such as Project Connect Wood County and Safer Heights along with hosting a print event for the general public. Elyse is passionate about printmaking and creating fine arts opportunities within Zygote Press and the local community.

Student Supply List for Bookbinding Portion:

cutting mat

straight edge (preferably metal with no cork)

break-off knife or scalpel

Scissors

Pencil

metal or plastic right angle triangle

bone folder

sewing needle (#1 or #3 darner preferred)

thin awl

glue brush