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Classes
for 2026
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Learn how to create a beautiful hardbound book that contains 7 days worth of love notes or affirmations. Its envelope pages make a perfect Valentines Day gift for a loved one or a unique way to store small keepsakes and ephemera.
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Known for the characteristic way in which every other page hovers in the book like a resting butterfly, this traditional Japanese book form is unique and easily assembled. Students will fashion together a book using custom made fabric covers.
03/21 Secrets of the Floating World
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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The secrets of Japanese woodblock prints are revealed in this interactive presentation that includes a look at history, an overview of traditional materials used to create these masterful works, and a live demonstration of the printing process that will involve student participation.
03/27 the Nippon Pamphlet Stitch Book
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Easy to make, these pocket sized journals make great sketchbooks, note-keepers, or gifts. The simple form is elevated by a technique borrowed from Japanese tradition. This form also works well as handmade wedding invitations, guest books, or party menus.
04/05 - 04/26 Japanese Woodblock Printing I
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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This 4 week class covers the basic technique and best practices of moku manga or Japanese woodblock printing. This water based form of block printing is highly portable and offers a method that can be less toxic than other forms of printmaking.
05/15 Japanese Stab Bound Books
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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One basic structure with a wide variety of interpretation, this unique structor can offer an alternative method for creating your own sketchbooks or journals. Students will create their own stab bound books, view authentic specimens from antiquity, and understand the simple yet complex construction of this asian book form.
06/13 Traditional Chiyogami Workshop
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Before mass production, offset lithography, and modern silkscreen, decorative sheets of patterned paper were printed by hand from intricately carved woodblocks. Students will learn the history of this amazing paper and print some of their own papers utilizing woodblocks delicately carved by the instructor.
08/21 & 08/28 Techniques in Linocut
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Linocut offers an accessible entry point for the novice as well as be manipulated with great skill and depth by the old salt printer. Students will create a veritable Rosetta Stone of linocut techniques that they can keep in their studio to use as a reference as they develop their own preferred block carving style. In this two day intensive, students will be immersed in the practice of linocut, and learn tips and techniques as well as be exposed to a variety of materials and methods.
09/04 Zine Workshop
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Why should publishers have all the fun? Have you ever wanted to make your own magazine, comic book, or booklet? This class focuses on empowering you to create your own small publications through accessible medias utilizing home printers and xerox machines.
09/10 & 09/11 Chabako: the Japanese Tea Box
Location: the School for the Bookbinding Arts
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Captivating and beautiful vessels for holding tea, the Chabako or Japanese tea box has truly risen from humble beginnings. Along with a history of the development of the tea box, students will learn about the materials and culture surrounding these containers. Vintage and modern examples will be available for students to handle before constructing one of their own to take home. This box form features beautiful chiyogami papers and a mirror-like interior!
10/15 & 10/16 Ex Libris by Hand: Printing Bookplates
Location: the School for the Bookbinding Arts
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The Ex Libris (or bookplate) is evocative of fine books and a deep library. Create something unique for your own library in this two day intensive. Students will learn a light history of the bookplate and then choose from a variety of pre-drawn elements to design their own Ex Libris.
10/24 Zine Workshop
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Why should publishers have all the fun? Have you ever wanted to make your own magazine, comic book, or booklet? This class focuses on empowering you to create your own small publications through accessible medias utilizing home printers and xerox machines.
11/05 & 11/06 the Art of Japanese Bookbinding
Location: the School for the Bookbinding Arts
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This immersive class features techniques unique to the tradition of Japanese bookbinding. Students will learn to cook and utilize the properties of wheat paste, discern the qualities of washi paper, and understand the structures of 6 different book forms. There will be a visual presentation on the history and culture surrounding these books as well as authentic antiquities for students to see and learn from.
11/13 Coptic Bookbinding
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Developed by the early Christians in Egypt, the Copts, this exposed spine binding is a versatile and methodical way to create hardbound journals and sketchbooks. Students will construct their own books from start to finish and receive instructions on how to create more on their own.
11/20 Cork Stamps
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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Just in time for the holidays, this is a fun hobby and a great way to re-use old wine or champagne corks. Students will carve designs into pink rubber using carving tools provided in class.
12/05 Printing Holiday Cards
Location: the Shenandoah Valley Art Center
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During the heydays of letterpress cards were printed using cast iron printing presses. The Shenandoah Valley Art Center's own Golding Pearl press will be put into service printing holiday cards. Students will learn about basic letterpress, relief blocks, and platen press practices as well as printing cards using the old treadle press.