Box-making Fundamentals Series

Art Student League of Denver
200 Grant St Denver, CO 80203

Workshop fee $222.00 materials fee $28.00

Workshop Dates: 5/1/2024-5/22/2024
Workshop Times: 5:30 PM-8:30 PM 

Handmade boxes are both beautiful and unique, but the process of making them can be very intimidating. This 4-week evening workshop series seeks to make book artists feel more comfortable and creative in the ways in which they build structures to house their books or sculptures, with a balance of traditional and untraditional methods.

In this 4 evening course, students will focus on the fundamental skills for building several types of boxes: paper folded (also called phase boxes), slip cases, lidded box and a simple drop spine box.

As a fundamentals class, all the component pieces and materials will be prepared, and we will discuss how the materials and pieces were created for at-home replication. This allows students to focus on the assembly and craft of the box, and learn the skills needed to make them again. Students will build and cover the boxes with a combination of book-cloth and decorative papers, depending on the application. We will go over the essential formulas of how to create boxes at home, how to modify patterns of existing boxes, and what materials and adhesives work best.

There will be a small amount of time in the class for us to discuss untraditional structures and creative modifications, so bring your sketches and questions.

Basic bookbinding experience is encouraged for this class; cutting and gluing with a good knowledge of measuring.  A basic bookbinding skill set will allow students to focus on the creative aspects of the box-making elements. Please inquire if you are unsure about your skill level for the course.