“But the absolutely best part of teaching some workshops is the willingness of each student to let me get a small glimpse inside what they care most about and help them express it in a meaningful, personal way that helps them develop work which bears their own mark.”
Note: At this time, Sandy is not teaching workshops or classes. Please check back in the future, or contact Sandy for additional details.
“There is a great deal of anticipation and preparation when teaching workshops. And no matter how much time is spent getting ready, it is a small investment compared to the collective knowledge so willingly shared in a classroom.”
A SAMPLING OF PREVIOUS CLASS OFFERINGS THROUGHOUT THE US AND ABROAD:
BASIC BOOK BINDING
Instructed by Sandy Webster
Students will be introduced to Japanese Stab Bindings, books with variations on the Accordion Fold, Hard Cover Blank Journals with Coptic Bindings as well as several Folded Constructions. We will also look at works that show how the content or subject of the book can be built into the form.
DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING AND USING A FIELD JOURNAL
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
Students will design their own specific journals that will also incorporate all the necessary equipment to work with in the field. Papers, paints, pencils, pens, places for collected objects and eyeglasses …. whatever is needed can be accommodated in these highly individualized portfolios that travel from field to studio.
MIXED MEDIA – IDEA TO FORM
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
This class is designed as an exploration of the path from idea to object. We will begin with visual definitions of specific words, which trigger ideas that resonate differently with each student. From there we will advance through a variety of processes that construct and enhance those concepts.
The work can take on any form, which can reveal or conceal as much as the student wishes. The concentration of the class is to bring form to idea and is open to all levels.
Suggestions for forms are book, altar piece, screen, box, basket … any form that addresses and contains the concept of each student individually.
“Sandy’s enthusiasm for creating art is contagious. Her willingness to share ideas, tools and techniques for different media has helped take my book making to a new level. If you sign up for one of Sandy’s workshops, be prepared to be inspired and amazed!” – Nora, Tennessee
EXPERIMENTATION WITH MATERIALS: An Adventure in Creativity
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
We will learn and put into practice various techniques such as grinding pigments from local clays, transferring imagery, chemically rusting papers and altering the surfaces of cloth and other materials while constructing unique and individualized forms that reveal and conceal space.
Students will complete a comprehensive notebook of these techniques and the possible uses in their own work.
BOOK, BASKET AND BOX: Placement of Memory
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
This class will organize the collectibles of a specific time or place.
First the size of the project is determined by the laying out of the pieces to be “saved”, then appropriate fabrics and papers are selected to create a book and design a box which will hold not only the book, but the souvenirs and a small basket. Basic bookbinding, box making, and basketry are the techniques used in creating a unique space for your collection.
“I learnt so much more than just ‘how to make a box or book’ in Sandy’s class. She is an excellent teacher who has a way of drawing out the best in her pupils as well as making them work like they never have before. Sandy’s workshop has given me much more in confidence to move forward in my work as an ‘artist’ a word I wouldn’t have dared to call myself before.” – Beverly, New Zealand
CONTENT AND CONTAINMENT OF INTIMATE SPACES IN BOOKS
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
This workshop explores several constructions for creating hidden spaces in books. Students are encouraged to find ways to personalize the variations from stitching, creating pockets, learning pop-ups and manipulating pages while completing a sample book of techniques.
JOURNALING WITH FOUND OBJECTS
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
Collections brought from home or acquired on site will be the inspiration for recording their importance and housing them in unique constructions.
The objects will be used to make marks and illustrations for books and papers which are then written into and on as we journal the memories and value of each item. Finally a box will be made to house each student’s collection and the small books they inspired. Students can expect to explore the many ways to illustrate, create unique books and build various box forms that reveal and conceal space. We will take the time to reflect and write accompanying text for the personal and meaningful objects we simply can’t help but hold onto.
“Sandy is quite simply the best teacher I have ever had. She interviewed me, looked at the materials I wanted to work with, then taught me the forms and techniques I needed to create something with meaning. She has opened up a world of possibilities about what constitutes a book.” — Lin, Residency Student
WHITE-LINE WOODBLOCK PRINTMAKING
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
The process of white-line wood block prints is also known as Provincetown printmaking from its origins in early 1900’s New England when artists experimented with a simpler approach to making relief prints with many color options.
GATHERING AND PROCESSING PIGMENTS FROM THE EARTH
Instructed by: Sandy Webster
Students will learn how to make pigments from soils gathered on or near our location. Through hands-on demonstrations we will process our own unique paint using various methods of extracting the color. These will then be ground into beautiful paints to be used on paper and cloth using a selection of binding mediums.