Abstract Letterpress Flag Books
January 25 @ 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
$386.00A 2-Day In-Studio Workshop!
Saturday and Sunday, January 25-26, 10:30am–5:30pm
View our current in-studio Health and Safety and Cancellation Policies >>
About this Workshop:
Make your own, one-of-a-kind book with letterpress printed papers! This weekend will include playful experimentation with abstract designs in the Letterpress Studio using wood type letters and punctuation as inspiration. Students will learn how to make colorful ink wipes, set wood type, operate the Vandercook cylinder press, troubleshoot, and clean the press. In the Bindery, students will learn the components, tools, and techniques for assembling a Flag Book structure with cover. Together we’ll explore strategies for marrying our abstract content into book form, considering rhythm, repetition, and layering. You’ll leave with a finished book and extra prints for future projects.
Level: Beginner – Some experience with letterpress and general bookmaking welcome, but not required.
Registration extended to January 24, 2025. Material fees are included with your registration to cover the supplies provided in class. Students may/will need to gather/purchase additional materials for class (see the materials list below). This list will also be provided with the registration confirmation email.
Sample images by Theresa Esterlund and Nathalie Ryan
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration includes a $20 materials fee to cover all consumable materials provided in class, including paper, ink, book board, and book cloth. Students may want to consider bringing the following optional items to class:
- (optional) Personal apron (we’ll have extras) or wear clothes that can get inky
- (optional) Notepad and pen to take notes
YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Theresa Esterlund is an artist and educator who lives in Arlington, Virginia. After retiring from a professional career in museum education, she channeled her vision to inspire compassionate connections into a stationery business that reflects the intersection of her artistic and mindfulness practices. Her collages are windows that open to the inside—as well as abstract landscapes and other arrangements. She brings her love of gathering, sorting, and composing to letterpress, which also gives her a path to integrate words and phrases from her poetry. Learn more about her work online at www.opentobeing.com and on Instagram @opentobeing.
Nathalie A. Ryan is an educator, artist, writer, and musician, enjoying life in DC by wandering, wondering, and experimenting. Since 2002, she has led public programs at the National Gallery of Art and facilitated Professional Development Workshops for K-12 Educators at Harvard Project Zero. A certified mindfulness meditation facilitator and advocate for the role of the arts in nurturing cognitive, social-emotional, and ethical dispositions, Nathalie believes in the power of the arts to help people slow down, notice the world around them in new ways, spark curiosity, and deepen connection with oneself and others.
“The instructors make a great team, each with their own strengths, and support of one another and of the students. The pacing was more than generous in terms of time.”
—Participant, Abstract Letterpress Concertinas
“Theresa and Natalie were great teachers. It felt like a two-fer because they each have different knowledge and skills, and melding their skill sets into one class was great! A great value! It was a natural combo class.”
—Participant, Abstract Letterpress Concertinas