Since October 2014, Topanga Authors’ Group (TAG) has offered an eclectic monthly mix of free presentations, roundtables and workshops at Topanga Library. In March, the group expands its offerings with an intensive, hands on workshop in a private residence in Old Canyon.
On Sunday, March 19, from 1– 4 p.m., TAG will present “Book Arts 101–Making Artful Books & Journals.” Leading the workshop is bookbinder and multimedia artist Monica Moran, who combines traditional skills with recycled materials to create unconventional, artistic book forms. Participants will learn about the tools, techniques and materials and make original books.
Moran was introduced to the practice of bookbinding while taking a community college course in geography. She had to write about the Los Angeles River and took a series of photos to illustrate her topic. She said, “I thought the photos would be best presented in a book form. I had seen instructions on hand binding books in a magazine and used one of the stab stitch patterns for my book report.” After interpreting the assignment in a way that pleased her aesthetic sense, she passionately dove into many learning laboratories to discover new ways to make her own one-of-a-kind books.
Moran said, “my workshops are actually creativity workshops that happen to incorporate book arts as the finished product. I have an extensive background in art, as well as pattern drafting and fashion design, but not everyone shares this background. So, when I design a project for a workshop, I make it as accessible and fun as possible to inspire and encourage my students so they can reconnect to their innate creative impulse. My hope is that they will have the desire to learn more beyond the workshop.”
“Book Arts 101” participants will make two small books, an art book and a field notebook. The workshop fee is $55, which includes tools, materials, instruction kit and an afternoon English tea. The workshop is for adults 18 and older.
Registration and payment is online at TopangaAuthorsGroup.com/workshops. The address and parking information will be provided upon paid registration.
For more information, visit TAG’s website or send an email to TopangaAuthorGroup@gmail.com.