The course is aimed at anybody looking to learn how to make books and explore and develop ideas through the form of the artists’ book. You will develop a sound knowledge of materials and techniques and will learn how to make a variety of book structures. These range from simple, yet fascinating structures to more challenging multi-section case-bound books. You will also learn how to make two different portfolio boxes to house and protect loose prints or some of the great books you have made on the course. Whether you have never made a book before or have some experience already, if you like books and you like making, this course is for you.
As well as equipping you with technical knowledge, the course will also dip into exploring narrative, sequencing, text & image and consider the relationship between form and content. If you are new to creative practice, you can use the book form to discover your own creativity. If you already have an established visual practice, you will be able to explore how this might be translated into the form of the artists’ book. In addition to bookbinding, the course includes an introduction to some of the other facilities available at Hot Bed Press, such as screen printing, lino-printing and letterpress, spread out over the year and this year we are really lucky to have secured two tutors to share the teaching so you will have the benefit of an even wider array of knowledge and experience.About the tutors:
George Gibson is an artist, educator, and Manchester School of Art Technician, specialising in book arts, zinemaking, and risograph printing.
Predominantly working collaboratively, George co-ran publishing based collective Shy Bairns from 2016 - 2023, attended alternative education program School of the Damned from 2020 - 2022, and is a current member of ABC [Artists Books Cooperative], an international group of artists who experiment with the form of the book. George has worked with writers, artists and researchers to publish works exploring cryptozoology, queer retellings of Godzilla, the brief history of ‘Goblin Mode’, and an evaluation of the psychological impact of the hit 00s science fiction drama LOST. These works have been exhibited, and are held in collections, internationally.
Sylvia Waltering makes and publishes books as one half of Battenburg Press. She is an artist working with a variety of media, including photography, text, installation and artists' books, and also works as a lecturer at Manchester School of Art. Her books and installation work often involve domestic objects and (fictional) collections, exploring their narrative possibilities. Sylvia’s books have been exhibited internationally and her publications are held in private and public collections in the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Australia and the US
Membership of Hot Bed Press
The course includes Hot Bed Press membership that runs from Feb 2025 to end of Jan 2026. This entitles you to come into the workshop to use up any hours still to use up from the course’s 120 hours open access. These hours can be ‘saved up’ if you cannot come in for the extra 4 hours each week outside of the taught sessions and can be used in Summer.
Open access hours are :
Monday – Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm,
plus Thursday evenings up to 9.00pm
and alternate Saturdays 10.00am – 5.00pm
There are Technicians and volunteers around to help you when you are in, and you will be mixing with some of our 300 members who use the workshop.
To book your place simply call the workshop on 0161 743 3111 and we can take your course deposit of £300 which will secure your place on the course.
