Southwestern Ontario Chapter

The Southwestern Ontario Chapter welcomes anyone residing in the region who is interested in learning about bookbinding and related book arts. The chapter offers workshops in-person and online along with a Tool Lending Library for members to borrow from. 

All current members of CBBAG who reside in southwestern Ontario (postal codes starting with N) automatically become members of the CBBAG Southwestern Ontario Chapter. Please note that SWO chapter does not include the GTA. Others may join the Chapter mailing list by expressing interest (no fee for Chapter membership).

Contact us at cbbag.swochapter@gmail.com or visit us us on Facebook or Instagram.

President: Arielle VanderSchans
Vice-President: Tim Dyck
Secretary: Rhiannon Allen-Roberts
Treasurer: Mirela Parau

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Paste Papers (London, ON) - June 27-28
Models of Bookbinding Techniques: Sewing Structures (London, ON) - July 18-19
Chapter BBQ (London, ON) - July 18
Marbling (London, ON) - July 25-26


*Registration forthcoming. Registration usually goes live 4-5 weeks before the workshop.



Past Events and Workshops

Bibliomania Bookfest (London, ON) - June 20
Join The Club (London ON) - May 23
BiblioArts (Owen Sound, ON) - May 14-15
Finishing (London, ON) - May 16-18 & 23-25
Bookbinding 1 (Durham, ON) - March 21-23 & 28-30
Self-Publishing via Chapbooks (London, ON) - February, 2026


Introduction to Marbled Paper: A Step-by-Step Two-Day Workshop

Discover the art of marbled paper in this hands-on introductory workshop designed for all skill levels. Over two days, students will learn the step-by-step process of creating beautiful hand-marbled papers.

The instructor will demonstrate how to prepare the marbling bath, paints, and paper; drop the paint on the bath in a variety of ways; and create both classic and modern patterns. Students will also learn how to lay paper onto the bath, properly wash and dry finished sheets, and experiment with overmarbling techniques.

Throughout the workshop, the instructor will alternate between demonstrations and individualized guidance as students create their own marbled papers. As skills develop, participants will have the opportunity to explore more advanced patterns and techniques as time permits.

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2 days: Saturday July 25th & Sunday July 26th, 2026
Location:  VA-106 (Printmaking Studio), University of Western Ontario, London
Cost: $140
Materials Fee: $70

Registration Deadline: July 17, 2025 For more information or to register, visit the registration form.






Models of Bookbinding Techniques: Sewing Structures

Models of Bookbinding Techniques: Sewing Structures explores different types of sewing, such as a French link stitch, sewing on tapes, sewing on raised cords, two-up, and more. In this course, students will prepare and sew at least 12 text blocks using different sewing structures for each one. 

Students are asked to prepare their own textblocks ahead of time.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2 days: Saturday July 18 & Sunday July 19
Location: London, Ontario
Prerequisites: Bookbinding 1 & current CBBAG membership
Cost: $185 + $20 material fee

Registration deadline:  July 10, 2026

For more information and to register view the: Registration form 






Handbound & Homegrown
Bookbinding in Our Backyard

We’re excited to share that we are hosting a 2026 chapter exhibit, Handbound & Homegrown: Bookbinding in Our Backyard Exhibit, happening this Fall (date TBD)—and it’s got a beautiful home! Attic Books in downtown London, Ontario, is opening up their storefront windows to showcase our work.

The theme is simple but wide open: Local.

What does local mean to you? Maybe you make your own inks from plants in your garden, maybe you’ve got handmade paper from a nearby papermaker, or maybe you want to bring new life to the words of a local poet or author.

This exhibit is all about celebrating the creativity, resources, and inspiration we can find right in our own backyard. We can’t wait to see how you bring local to life in your bindings and books.

This exhibit is open to CBBAG members in the SWO and GTA chapters.

If you’d like to participate in the exhibit, you can find more information and the submission form here: https://forms.gle/662J6cdFDspEm74h6

The deadline for entry is  Fall 2026 (date TBD soon).


We want to hear from you!

Are you a chapter member? Or do you live in Ontario and are looking to do courses in the Southwestern Ontario region? 

Fill in our workshop survey! 

This short 5 minute survey allows us to see what courses are in-demand and helps determine what we will offer next year. 

2026 Workshop Survey


Interested in Bookbinding Courses?

Email us at cbbag.swochapter@gmail.com to let us know what you're interested in taking!


Local Suppliers

Bijan's Art Studio (London, ON) offers art supplies

Colour Jar (Durham, ON) offers bookbinding supplies

Columbia Finishing Mills (Cornwall, ON) specializes in bookboard, bookcloth, cover paper, end papers

George Hill & Co (Milton, ON) offers bookbinding tools and supplies

Lee Valley Tools (London, ON) offers chisels, punching, woodworking and leather tools

Papertrail (New Dundee, ON) offers papermaking supplies and some bookbinding supplies

Local Bookbinders

Book and Paper Conservation (London, ON)

Dan Mezza Book Binding (London, ON)

  • Bookbinding and book repairs/restoration
  • 519-434-0964

Miller Bookbinding (Waterloo, ON)

Colour Jar (Durham, ON)


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Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG)

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