Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild upcoming events

Newsletter Project Archive - Hiber-Making 2027 (26 Oct 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Hiber-Make 2027

CBBAG education is looking for some volunteers!

The idea of the hiber-make project is to gather makers who can commit a bit of time to make at least one book arts project between Jan 1 and March 31.

CBBAG has an archive of around 70 projects that were published in the newsletter between 1984 and 2009.

CBBAG will be making all of these projects available to members online, but they need to be updated first.

The archive has all kinds of book arts and bookbinding projects with instructions and illustrations at varying levels of detail.

We are looking for volunteers who can make at least one project from this archive and document it so we can expand on the instructions.

Volunteers will be given access to the project archive to pick & choose projects based on their interest.

Once all the volunteer information is included in the project archive (which is planned for Mid-April), all members will be invited to register for access.

Exactly what is hiber-making – what are you getting yourself into by volunteering??

Volunteers will get an invitation in January to set up a free Thinkific account and log in to the workshop.
Pick your choices of projects – at least one!
Email education@cbbag saying which projects you want to tackle.
Have a few choices in mind, as you might not get your first choice because we only need two people per project.
Join a planning Zoom meeting in mid-January to answer any questions and chat about the plans.
Make the project(s) over the winter.
Take pictures of your process or, at minimum, just the end product,
Label your photos with the project number (to help us stay organized).
Write up any tips, tricks or cautionary tales that you found out while making the project (especially if the original directions were not so clear).
Email your tips & photos at the very latest by March 31 to education@cbbag.ca

This is a pay-it-forward model to help leverage the CBBAG newsletter project library to create new free educational content for members which will be launched to the full membership in April 2027.

Sign up by December 31 to volunteer.

Questions: send an email to education@cbbag.ca

2027 CBBAG Valentine's Mail Art Project (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

2027 CBBAG Valentine's Mail Art Project

Join the fun and make a specified number of mail art valentines to be sent through Canada Post.

Mail them to each participant and in turn you will receive valentines from all of the other participants.

A great way to connect with other CBBAG members.

Are you on board???

Here's the timeline of what you need to do:

Jan 12, 2027: Last day to register on the website. Be sure that CBBAG has your current postal mail address as part of your member profile!

Jan 14, 2027: The project coordinator Andrew Huot will email all the participants with the total number of participants so everyone will know how many valentines they will need to make.

Jan 19, 2027: Email Andrew back to confirm that you are still happy to participate. Backing out later will be awkward. NOTE: 2026 Mail Art had 29 participants, but 2027 could be more! Don't forget to consider postage rates.

Jan 20, 2027: Participants will be emailed the full list of names and postal mail addresses of all the other participants.

Jan 20-Feb 6, 2027: Making all the fun! Keep it simple. There could be a lot of valentines!

Feb 7, 2027: Latest day to mail your missives! We don't know how long the mail will take so feel free to mail them earlier!

Please actually mail your valentines rather than hand-delivering them. Part of the fun is getting all that mail!

Do consider that unusual sizes and shapes can be considerably more to mail!

Questions- send them to Collaboration@cbbag.ca

Looking for ideas?

Andrew is holding a Printing WITHOUT a Press online workshop on Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 6 - 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Workshop participants who participate in the Valentine's project will have their workshop fee refunded!

Printing WITHOUT a Press - Online - 2027WKSP-01-12 (12 Jan 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 23:00:00 GMT

ONLINE: Printing WITHOUT a Press with Andrew Huot

You don’t need heavy equipment or a big press to make prints for an edition or exchange.

Join Andrew as he demonstrates simple and repeatable techniques to create a matching edition of prints.

Then we’ll get our hands dirty trying out trace monotypes, pochoir, stamping, and more.

No printing press, no problem!

Andrew is organizing a Valentine’s Day print exchange and this is a great way to get ideas! Click here for details on this project.

CBBAG is happy to offer a refund of the workshop fee for any member who participates in the Valentine exchange project!

Refunds will be completed during the first two weeks of March.

His artists’ books use photographs, linoleum cuts, and text to share the humorous side of everyday life around us. His artists’ books are in collections across the country, from the Art Institute of Chicago to Yale University. Andrew teaches online and in his own studio, taught at the University of Illinois School of Information Science and workshops across the US and in Canada at CBBAG, the John C Campbell Folk School, Book Arts LA, the International Preservation Studies Center, and the Guild of Book Workers, among others. His website is https://bigriverbindery.com/

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: ONLINE using Zoom

Dates:Tuesday, January 12, 2027

Hours: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (EASTERN TIME)

Course fee: $65 members / $125 non-members

Prerequisite: none

Maximum Enrollment: 20

Registration closes Tuesday, January 5, 2027, 11:59 PM EST

This is a live workshop, but it will be recorded, and links will be made available for the registrants to view until Feb 19, 2027.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

POCHOIR:

Children’s bristle brushes – 2
Cosmetic sponges
Simple kids bristle brush
Stamp Pads
A variety of different papers

STAMPING:

New erasers to carve
Lino carving tools
Water or Oil Based Inks for printing or stamp pads
Brayers
Inking slab

TRACE MONOTYPE:

Rollers
Oil Based Ink
Tracing Paper
Ball Point Pen
Brayers for inking
Inking slab

ALL THREE TECHNIQUES:

Text or Cover Weight Papers to practice with

- - - - -

Online Workshop Process:

Materials should be prepared in advance of the workshop to the specifications which will allow participants to take the best advantage of the live format. Please review the technical requirements below prior to registration to be sure you can participate. Questions should be directed to workshop@cbbag.ca

Technical requirements for participation:

Access to the internet and to the Zoom application
Screen large enough to follow instructor’s video feed (cell phone is not ideal)
Microphone or Headset / Webcam
How to join a zoom meeting information https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193

Cancellation policy:

Participant-requested cancellations will be accepted up to 3 days prior to the published cut-off date for registration and will be subject to a 10% cancellation fee (a minimum of $5). After that, the full fee will be forfeited. In the event of the workshop being cancelled by CBBAG, the workshop fee will be fully refunded.

BOOKBINDING 1 – IN PERSON - 2027WKSP-01-24 (24 Jan 2027)

Sun, 24 Jan 2027 14:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Timothy Dyck

Workshop offered by the Southwest Ontario Chapter in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Bookbinding 1 is a comprehensive course which introduces students to the craft of making handbound sewn books. During six days, participants receive instruction on the materials, tools, techniques, and basic concepts of hand bookbinding through the making of six beautiful book models.

Using materials such as book cloth, paper, thread, and board, students learn techniques such as cutting, folding, and pasting, and how to sew a text-block (the pages) and prepare endpapers.

Students will take home a number of pamphlets and two case-bound hardcover books.
This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to explore bookbinding independently or pursue further education in the field.

This workshop is being offered as part of an educational programming series called BiblioArts that is hosted by the Georgian Bay School for the Arts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Timothy Dyck has an MFA in printmaking and studied bookbinding in Montreal. He runs his own studio as well as an art supply shop which can be found at thecolourjar.ca in the small town of Durham ON. Being active with the CBBAG Southwestern Ontario Chapter, he now teaches the core curriculum and other workshops in various locations in Ontario and Manitoba.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: Georgian Bay School for the Arts, 938 2nd Ave East, Owen Sound, Ontario
Date: 2 sessions of 3 days – Sun, Mon, Tues. January 24-25-26 and Jan/Feb 31-1-2, 2027
Hours: 9am-4pm, with a lunch break
Course fee: $660 members / $720 non-members / $495 full-time students
Materials: $60 payable to instructor on first day of workshop
Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 8 Students

Registration closes: Thursday, January 14, 2027, 11:59 PM

Cancellation policy:

BOOKBINDING 1 – IN PERSON - 2027WKSP-01-24 (31 Jan 2027)

Sun, 31 Jan 2027 14:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Timothy Dyck

Workshop offered by the Southwest Ontario Chapter in Owen Sound, Ontario.

This workshop is being offered as part of an educational programming series called BiblioArts that is hosted by the Georgian Bay School for the Arts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Maximum enrollment: 8 Students

Registration closes: Thursday, January 14, 2027, 11:59 PM

Cancellation policy:

Hinged-lid Box with a Drawer Online 2027WKSP-02-10 (10 Feb 2027)

Wed, 10 Feb 2027 18:00:00 GMT

ONLINE: Hinged-lid Box with a Drawer with Maria Carolina Ceballos

Make a box for your favourite notebook, scrapbook or sketchbook. The box has a clever drawer with partitions for pencils, markers, thread or whatever treasures you want to save!

Great idea for your travel keepsakes – house your travel journal and some of the ephemera from the trip in the drawers.

Students will learn basic box making concepts like tray building, partitions, hinged lids and covering everything with paper and cloth!

María Carolina Ceballos is a Colombian book artist with emphasis in bookbinding and artists’ books. She holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, and a Minor in Photography from the same university. On 2021, she graduated from the MFA in Book Arts at The University of Iowa, where she also worked as a book conservation technician and digital book design instructor. She has also worked as a paper conservator at the Archivo General de la Nación in Bogotá, and as an independent book artist under the name of Canto Press, with which she creates artists’ books, teaches bookbinding and sells hand bound goods. She has been the recipient of recognitions like the Caxton Club Grant Award 2020-2021, an MFA degree with distinction from the University of Iowa Center for the Book, and the Holle Award 2022. She has exhibited her work in various cities in Colombia, the United States and Japan, and some of her books can be found in collections at the University of Iowa, the University of Miami, University of Michigan, the University of Alabama, the University of California and others. To see her work, visit Canto Press

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: ONLINE using Zoom
Dates: Weds, February 10, 17, & 24, 2027
Hours: 1-4 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Course fee: $190 members / $250 non-members
Prerequisite: none
Maximum Enrollment: 25

Registration closes Weds, Feb 3, 2027, 11:59 PM EST

This is a live workshop, but it will be recorded, and links will be made available for the registrants to view until available until May 5, 2027.

TOOLS

Required:

Box cutter with new blades to cut the board.
X-acto knife.
Awl and pencil.
Cutting mat
Ruler
90° triangle ruler. Preferable one big and one very small if you can.
PVA
Big and medium sized glue brush.

Optional:

Methylcellulose prepared: 1 tablespoon for 1 liter of water (if you can find it).

MATERIALS

A notebook, scrapbook or sketchbook you want to use as measurement, The longer side must be at least 16cm.
Bookbinding board 2-3mm thickness. One full sheet should be enough for the whole box.
One or two colors of book cloth. At least a 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
One or two colors of medium weight paper. At least a piece of 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
A button not too small. Can be of any kind, just make sure is not one of the small ones like the ones for shirts.
About 10cm of cord or thick thread of any kind. Can be anything but, if you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
Waste paper to glue on. Can be any newsprint paper of printing paper you have around.

Online Workshop Process:
Materials should be prepared in advance of the workshop to the specifications which will allow participants to take the best advantage of the live format. Please review the technical requirements below prior to registration to be sure you can participate. Questions should be directed to workshop@cbbag.ca

Technical requirements for participation:
· Access to the internet and to the Zoom application
· Screen large enough to follow instructor’s video feed (cell phone is not ideal)
· Microphone or Headset / Webcam
· How to join a zoom meeting information https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193

Participant-requested cancellations will be accepted up to 3 days prior to the published cut-off date for registration and will be subject to a 10% cancellation fee (a minimum of $5). After that, the full fee will be forfeited. In the event of the workshop being cancelled by CBBAG, the workshop fee will be fully refunded.

Hinged-lid Box with a Drawer Online 2027WKSP-02-10 (17 Feb 2027)

Wed, 17 Feb 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Box cutter with new blades to cut the board.
X-acto knife.
Awl and pencil.
Cutting mat
Ruler
90° triangle ruler. Preferable one big and one very small if you can.
PVA
Big and medium sized glue brush.

Optional:

Methylcellulose prepared: 1 tablespoon for 1 liter of water (if you can find it).

MATERIALS

A notebook, scrapbook or sketchbook you want to use as measurement, The longer side must be at least 16cm.
Bookbinding board 2-3mm thickness. One full sheet should be enough for the whole box.
One or two colors of book cloth. At least a 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
One or two colors of medium weight paper. At least a piece of 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
A button not too small. Can be of any kind, just make sure is not one of the small ones like the ones for shirts.
About 10cm of cord or thick thread of any kind. Can be anything but, if you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
Waste paper to glue on. Can be any newsprint paper of printing paper you have around.

Hinged-lid Box with a Drawer Online 2027WKSP-02-10 (24 Feb 2027)

Wed, 24 Feb 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Box cutter with new blades to cut the board.
X-acto knife.
Awl and pencil.
Cutting mat
Ruler
90° triangle ruler. Preferable one big and one very small if you can.
PVA
Big and medium sized glue brush.

Optional:

Methylcellulose prepared: 1 tablespoon for 1 liter of water (if you can find it).

MATERIALS

A notebook, scrapbook or sketchbook you want to use as measurement, The longer side must be at least 16cm.
Bookbinding board 2-3mm thickness. One full sheet should be enough for the whole box.
One or two colors of book cloth. At least a 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
One or two colors of medium weight paper. At least a piece of 50 x 50 cm. Size and quantity depend on your book. If you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
A button not too small. Can be of any kind, just make sure is not one of the small ones like the ones for shirts.
About 10cm of cord or thick thread of any kind. Can be anything but, if you are not sure, during the first class we will talk about this.
Waste paper to glue on. Can be any newsprint paper of printing paper you have around.

The Mechanical Spine Bindings Online 2027WKSP-03-04 (04 Mar 2027)

Thu, 04 Mar 2027 23:00:00 GMT

ONLINE: The Mechanical Spine Binding with María Carolina Ceballos

This is a simple lay-flat binding structure that provides a spine that opens to 180 degrees while protecting the sewing and the signatures.

It’s called “mechanical spine” because there is no adhesive on the union between text block and spine but instead features flaps that go through and slide against the spine of the text block and the covers as the book opens and closes.

María Carolina Ceballos is a Colombian book artist with emphasis in bookbinding and artists’ books. She holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, and a Minor in Photography from the same university. On 2021, she graduated from the MFA in Book Arts at The University of Iowa, where she also worked as a book conservation technician and digital book design instructor. She has also worked as a paper conservator at the Archivo General de la Nación in Bogotá, and as an independent book artist under the name of Canto Press, with which she creates artists’ books, teaches bookbinding and sells hand bound goods. She has been the recipient of recognitions like the Caxton Club Grant Award 2020-2021, an MFA degree with distinction from the University of Iowa Center for the Book, and the Holle Award 2022. She has exhibited her work in various cities in Colombia, the United States and Japan, and some of her books can be found in collections at the University of Iowa, the University of Miami, University of Michigan, the University of Alabama, the University of California, and others. To see her work, visit Canto Press

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: ONLINE using Zoom

Dates: Thursdays, March 4 & 11, 2027

Hours: 6:00 – 8:30 PM (EDT)

Course fee: $130 members / $190 non-members

Prerequisite: none

Maximum Enrollment: 25

Registration closes Thursday, February 25, 2027, 11:59 PM EST

This is a live workshop, but it will be recorded and links will be made available for registrants to view until May 26, 2027.

TOOLS

Required:

An awl to punch holes on the sections and covers.
Non-sharp needle.
Bees wax.
Linen thread 25/3 or 30/3 weight, or cotton thread thick enough to sew books.
Cutting mat.
Scissors, an X-Acto knife and a ruler.

Optional:

Punching cradle

MATERIALS

Unless noted, all materials are grain direction parallel to the spine. Dimensions below are (height) x (width).
At least 6 signatures of book-weight text paper for the book of 3-4 folios each. We will fold the sections during class.
2 pieces of heavy-weight paper (same colour)
Example only: a folded signature sized 14 cm w x 21.6 cm h would need the following for the cover paper:
Piece 1 for example size signature width and height:
• final width is two times the starting width plus 3 cm; for the example: 14+14+3 = 31 cm w
• final height is the starting height plus 3 cm; for example: 21.6+3 = 24.6 cm h
Piece 2; for example: size signature width and height:
• final width is three times the starting width; for the example: 14+14+14 = 42 cm w
• final height is the starting height plus 3 cm; for the example: 21.6 + 3 = 24.6 cm h
A piece of card stock taller than your sections and at least 5cm width.
A piece of heavy-weight paper, different from the cover, taller than your sections and at least 12cm width.
Optional: A piece of Japanese tissue the width and the height of your spine. If not, a piece of printer paper works.

- - - - -

Online Workshop Process:

Technical requirements for participation:

Access to the internet and to the Zoom application
Screen large enough to follow instructor’s video feed (cell phone is not ideal)
Microphone or Headset / Webcam
How to join a zoom meeting information https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193

Cancellation policy:

The Mechanical Spine Bindings Online 2027WKSP-03-04 (11 Mar 2027)

Thu, 11 Mar 2027 23:00:00 GMT

ONLINE: The Mechanical Spine Binding with María Carolina Ceballos

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: ONLINE using Zoom

Dates: Thursdays, March 4 & 11, 2027

Hours: 6:00 – 8:30 PM (EDT)

Course fee: $130 members / $190 non-members

Prerequisite: none

Maximum Enrollment: 25

Registration closes Thursday, February 25, 2027, 11:59 PM EST

This is a live workshop, but it will be recorded and links will be made available for registrants to view until May 26, 2027.

TOOLS

Required:

An awl to punch holes on the sections and covers.
Non-sharp needle.
Bees wax.
Linen thread 25/3 or 30/3 weight, or cotton thread thick enough to sew books.
Cutting mat.
Scissors, an X-Acto knife and a ruler.

Optional:

Punching cradle

MATERIALS

Unless noted, all materials are grain direction parallel to the spine. Dimensions below are (height) x (width).
At least 6 signatures of book-weight text paper for the book of 3-4 folios each. We will fold the sections during class.
2 pieces of heavy-weight paper (same colour)
Example only: a folded signature sized 14 cm w x 21.6 cm h would need the following for the cover paper:
Piece 1 for example size signature width and height:
• final width is two times the starting width plus 3 cm; for the example: 14+14+3 = 31 cm w
• final height is the starting height plus 3 cm; for example: 21.6+3 = 24.6 cm h
Piece 2; for example: size signature width and height:
• final width is three times the starting width; for the example: 14+14+14 = 42 cm w
• final height is the starting height plus 3 cm; for the example: 21.6 + 3 = 24.6 cm h
A piece of card stock taller than your sections and at least 5cm width.
A piece of heavy-weight paper, different from the cover, taller than your sections and at least 12cm width.
Optional: A piece of Japanese tissue the width and the height of your spine. If not, a piece of printer paper works.

- - - - -

Online Workshop Process:

Technical requirements for participation:

Access to the internet and to the Zoom application
Screen large enough to follow instructor’s video feed (cell phone is not ideal)
Microphone or Headset / Webcam
How to join a zoom meeting information https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193

Cancellation policy:

ONLINE Bookbinding 1: Home Study - Guided Stream - Cohort 15 (15 Mar 2027)

Mon, 15 Mar 2027 04:00:00 GMT

ONLINE Bookbinding 1: Home Study - Guided Stream

The purpose of the Home Study- Guided Stream programme is to make bookbinding education available to CBBAG members who cannot take advantage of in-person workshops.

Mentor: Spike Minogue

Location: ONLINE using the Thinkific platform and Zoom

Online workshop access starts: March 15, 2027

Duration: 8 months March 2027 - November 2027

Course fee: $700 members / $760 non-members (incl. one-yr CBBAG membership)

Additional postage costs not included in course fee:

Mailing of workshop material kits from Ontario, invoiced and payable following registration Kits will be mailed in time to be received prior to the first zoom meeting.
Mailing three projects for critiques to and return postage from Ontario payable directly to the mentor

Prerequisite: none

MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 10 students

Registration closes February 1, 2027, 11:59 PM

Prior to registration, all interested participants must read this pdf which details the guidelines and expectations of the Guided Stream of the Home Study Programme. Registration for the workshop functions a formal agreement to these guidelines, whether or not they have been read.

Bookbinding 1 is the first workshop in CBBAG’s core curriculum and introduces the variety of tools, materials, sewings, and constructions fundamental to hand bookbinding.

Using the Thinkific online teaching platform, the workshop is a series of lecture-style videos, direct demonstration videos, and how-to pdfs housed into modules. The workshop will start with the making of a simple pamphlet and proceed to the binding of two hard cover books.

Using an online platform allows Mentors to have easy interaction with participants and allows participants to connect and support each other by encouraging discussion, questions and sharing of ideas. There will be a total of 4 Zoom meetings, during which the Mentor will lead a review of the group's project submissions, discuss challenges, and answer questions, emulating the in-person workshop more closely.

CBBAG will be providing a project materials kit to registrants as part of the workshop fee (postage will be extra).

The Guided Stream has requires participants to submit their completed projects by postal mail to their Mentor and this online environment allows for better feedback with live Zoom meetings to review submissions and for the whole group to learn together, mimicking the in-person workshop more closely. In total, participants will work through more than 15 individual projects, with 3 sets of submissions spanning 8 months with new modules opening up every 7-8 weeks. Participants are responsible for postage for all the submissions, to and return and is payable to the mentor directly.

The online, 24/7 delivery of the workshop is designed for an independent type of learner who needs a flexible schedule for learning and is unlikely to be able to attend an in-person workshop.

Successful completion of Bookbinding 1 in the Guided Stream qualifies participants to take in-person workshops that require Bookbinding 1 as a prerequisite.

Spike Minogue holds a diploma in Bookbinding from North Bennet Street School in Boston. She is chair of the CBBAG Ottawa Valley Chapter and organizes its Book Arts Show and Sale every two years. Spike has been teaching bookbinding courses since obtaining her CBBAG Certificate of Completion. Her background includes extensive prepress in the commercial printing industry and then teaching prepress at the college level for ten years in the college's graphic design diploma program. She owns her own studio that includes letterpress, bookbinding, and book design. Lately Spike has invented a tool that punches all the sewing holes in your signatures at once called the "All-at-Once Book Punching System."

- - - - -

Note for applicants with United States mailing addresses: As of August 2025 the US government has removed the de minimis exemption for custom duties on shipments to the US.

CBBAG regrets that as of September 2025 registrations from US-based applicants for Bookbinding 1 in the Guided Stream of Home Study will not be accepted into the programme, as it requires packages to be shipped across the border.

Because CBBAG is unable to prevent US residents from registering due to system limitations, any of US-based registrations will be cancelled and fully refunded.

- - - - -

Cancellations: The membership fee portion of the non-member fee is not refundable. For Bookbinding 1 Guided Stream, participant-requested cancellations will be accepted up to 3 days prior to the published cut-off date for registration and will be subject to a 10% cancellation fee (a minimum of $5). After that the full fee will be forfeit.

BOOKBINDING 2 INTENSIVE – IN PERSON - 2027WKSP-03-21 (21 Mar 2027)

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 13:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 2 Intensive with Timothy Dyck

Workshop offered by the Southwest Ontario Chapter in Owen Sound, Ontario.

This six-day workshop introduces intermediate techniques necessary for traditional binding structures, such as rounding and backing, sewn end bands, recessed cord sewing, the hollow tube, simple edge treatments and visible/invisible hinge hooked endpapers. Two models will be made: one with a German case and the other with a Bradel board attachment.

This workshop is being offered as part of an educational programming series called BiblioArts that is hosted by the Georgian Bay School for the Arts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: Georgian Bay School for the Arts, 938 2nd Ave East, Owen Sound, Ontario
Date: 6 days. Sunday through Friday, March 21-22-23-24-25-26, 2027 *
Hours: 9 am-4 pm, with a lunch break
Course fee: $660 members / $720 non-members / $495 full-time students
Materials: $50 payable to instructor on first day of workshop
Prerequisite: Bookbinding 2 or permission of the instructor

Maximum enrollment: 8 Students

* Pls note that Fri, Mar 26 is Good Friday.

Registration closes: Thursday, March 11, 2027, 11:59 PM

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (04 Apr 2027)

Sun, 04 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is an introduction to the craft of bookbinding. During six days participants will receive instruction on how to use a variety of tools and will learn about bookbinding materials in general.

The workshop starts with the making of a few simple pamphlet structures and culminates with the binding of two case-bound, flat-back books. The workshop will provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to explore bookbinding independently or pursue further education in the field.

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

Andrew Huot is a book artist, bookbinder, printer, and conservator in Scarborough ON where he operates Big River Bindery, a studio for bookmaking, letterpress printing, and book conservation. He holds a Masters in Book Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a BS in Printmaking from Portland State University.

His artists’ books use photographs, linoleum cuts, and text to share the humorous side of everyday life around us. His artists’ books are in collections across the country, from the Art Institute of Chicago to Yale University. Andrew teaches online and in his own studio, taught at the University of Illinois School of Information Science and workshops across the US and in Canada at CBBAG, the John C Campbell Folk School, Book Arts LA, the International Preservation Studies Center, and the Guild of Book Workers, among others. His website is https://bigriverbindery.com/

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

The workshop is located near Lawrence & Warden in Toronto, due north of the Warden TTC station and not far from the Eglinton LRT. Bus 68 goes north from each to Lawrence Ave, a short walk from the bindery. There is limited parking available at the bindery, and free parking in a nearby neighbourhood a 10-minute walk away. Contact Andrew for arrangements. Lawrence Ave East has many food options a short walk or drive from the shop, and a fridge and microwave are available if you'd prefer to bring your own lunch.

The full-time student rate is for CBBAG student members who are also full-time students at a secondary or post-secondary education institution in Canada. Proof of student status may be requested by the CBBAG registrar.

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (05 Apr 2027)

Mon, 05 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (06 Apr 2027)

Tue, 06 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (07 Apr 2027)

Wed, 07 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (08 Apr 2027)

Thu, 08 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

Cancellation policy:

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-04-04 (09 Apr 2027)

Fri, 09 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Andrew Huot

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON

Big River Bindery 94 Crockford Blvd, Unit 2 Scarborough, ON M1R 3C3 ***

Date: Sunday - Friday, April 4 - 9, 2027

Hours: 9:30 – 4:30 PM with 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $690 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $80 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 12 Students

Registration closes: Monday, March 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

***

Cancellation policy:

BOOKBINDING 3 – IN PERSON - 2027WKSP-05-02 (02 May 2027)

Sun, 02 May 2027 13:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 3 with Timothy Dyck

Workshop offered by the Southwest Ontario Chapter in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Bookbinding 3 introduces the advanced techniques used for traditional leather-covered, fine binding structures, such as leather paring, lacing-in of boards, back cornering and covering-in on the book.

Participants will make two models, both with sewn headbands, attached boards, and covered in half leather. The first model will be sewn on recessed cords with a hollow tube construction. The second model will be sewn on raised cords with a tight back construction.

Introduction to Leather will focus on the different types of leather appropriate for bookbinding and paring techniques used in bookbinding.

Bookbinding 3 is one of the core courses required for the CBBAG Certificate and is a good opportunity to build on BB2 skills and progress in the practice of bookbinding by hand.

This workshop is being offered as part of an educational programming series called BiblioArts that is hosted by the Georgian Bay School for the Arts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: Georgian Bay School for the Arts, 938 2nd Ave East, Owen Sound, Ontario
Date: 2 sessions of 3 days – Sun, Mon, Tues. May 2-3-4 and May 9-10-11, 2027
Hours: 9 am-4 pm, with a lunch break
Course fee: $755 members / $815 non-members / $570 full-time students
Materials: $60 payable to instructor on first day of workshop
Prerequisite: Bookbinding 2 or permission of the instructor

Maximum enrollment: 8 Students

Registration closes: Thursday, April 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Cancellation policy:

BOOKBINDING 3 – IN PERSON - 2027WKSP-05-02 (09 May 2027)

Sun, 09 May 2027 13:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 3 with Timothy Dyck

Workshop offered by the Southwest Ontario Chapter in Owen Sound, Ontario.

This workshop is being offered as part of an educational programming series called BiblioArts that is hosted by the Georgian Bay School for the Arts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Maximum enrollment: 8 Students

Registration closes: Thursday, April 22, 2027, 11:59 PM

Cancellation policy:

ONLINE Bookbinding 1: Home Study - Guided Stream - Cohort 16 (26 Jul 2027)

Mon, 26 Jul 2027 04:00:00 GMT

ONLINE Bookbinding 1: Home Study - Guided Stream

The purpose of the Home Study- Guided Stream programme is to make bookbinding education available to CBBAG members who cannot take advantage of in-person workshops.

Mentor: Spike Minogue

Location: ONLINE using the Thinkific platform and Zoom

Online workshop access starts: July 26, 2027

Duration: 8 months July 2027 - April 2028

Course fee: $700 members / $760 non-members (incl. one-yr CBBAG membership)

Additional postage costs not included in course fee:

Mailing of workshop material kits from Ontario, invoiced and payable following registration Kits will be mailed in time to be received prior to the first zoom meeting.
Mailing three projects for critiques to and return postage from Ontario payable directly to the mentor

Prerequisite: none

MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 10 students

Registration closes June 28, 2027, 11:59 PM

Bookbinding 1 is the first workshop in CBBAG’s core curriculum and introduces the variety of tools, materials, sewings, and constructions fundamental to hand bookbinding.

CBBAG will be providing a project materials kit to registrants as part of the workshop fee (postage will be extra).

The online, 24/7 delivery of the workshop is designed for an independent type of learner who needs a flexible schedule for learning and is unlikely to be able to attend an in-person workshop.

Successful completion of Bookbinding 1 in the Guided Stream qualifies participants to take in-person workshops that require Bookbinding 1 as a prerequisite.

- - - - -

Note for applicants with United States mailing addresses: As of August 2025 the US government has removed the de minimis exemption for custom duties on shipments to the US.

Because CBBAG is unable to prevent US residents from registering due to system limitations, any of US-based registrations will be cancelled and fully refunded.

- - - - -

Bookbinding 1 Intensive – In Person - 2027WKSP-08-17 (15 Aug 2027)

Sun, 15 Aug 2027 13:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON: Bookbinding 1 with Barbara Helander

This workshop is an introduction to the craft of bookbinding. Over six days participants will receive instruction on how to use a variety of tools and will learn about bookbinding materials in general.

This workshop is the first of the CBBAG core curriculum workshops and is a prerequisite for many other workshops.

Please note this is an intensive workshop which requires some physical stamina and mental focus for many hours each day.

Barbara Helander has a B.Ed. and an M.Sc.; for 35 years, she put these credentials into action in the apparel industry. During this time, Barb earned her CBBAG Certificate of Completion, became a CBBAG core curriculum instructor, and a mentor for the Home Study programme. Now retired, Barb has time to focus on her love of the book arts. She helped transform BB1 Home Study Guided Stream into virtual learning and was the coordinator for the Kindred Spirits travelling book arts exhibition. Her website can be found here: https://bookartsbarb.com and her Instagram handle is @bookartsbarb

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Location: IN PERSON Helander Bindery, Caledon East, ON (see notes)

Date: Sunday-Friday, Aug 15-20, 2027

Hours: 9 AM – 4.30 PM with a 1-hour lunch break

Course fee: $660 members / $495 student members / $720 non-members

Materials: $75 payable to instructor

Prerequisite: None

Maximum enrollment: 6 Students

Registration closes: Monday, July 26, 2027, 11:59 PM

Notes:

* Specific address of workshop to be supplied to registrants. Caledon East is located about 20 minutes’ drive north of Brampton ON and is not accessible by public transportation.

Please review the following so you are prepared for the intensive workshop experience.

The studio space is in a basement, so participants will need to be able to navigate stairs. The mid-day break will be 1 hour. Since there are no restaurants within walking distance, participants should expect to bring a lunch and will have access to a refrigerator and a microwave.

From the CBBAG in-workshop etiquette policy (click here for the entire policy):

Closed-toe shoes should always be worn. Running shoes are considered acceptable. Sandals and flip-flops are not satisfactory; never go barefoot. Please wear clothes that are comfortable and can get dirty. If a designated space is provided for breaks, it is the responsibility of all participants to clean up after themselves. Food & drink are generally not allowed in the learning spaces, but the instructor will make the expectations clear.

CBBAG bookbinding workshops are geared to adults who can follow oral instruction and can proceed with minimal supervision. Most of the workshops will require a certain amount of standing and detailed hand work. CBBAG has a variety of learning spaces not all of which are accessible.

CBBAG requests that any participant that requires specialized accommodations, please consult with CBBAG and possibly the instructor about accommodating those needs prior to registration. Instructors are unlikely to have spaces for extended breaks or spaces for rest but can, with preparation, accommodate a range of needs.

Unless a participant has received instruction on the use of specific equipment in the space, they do not have permission to use any other equipment in the space without asking. Tools and materials are supplied at the workshop, unless otherwise noted; participants may also bring their own hand tools if they wish. Participants will be permitted the use of specific tools for the duration of the workshop. They are responsible for the care of the tools and for returning them in a clean state at the conclusion of the workshop. The tools are not to be removed from the workshop space. If the tool is lost or not returned at the conclusion of the workshop, the participant could be invoiced for the cost to replace it.

Cancellation policy: