Toronto Art Book Fair + Book Binding Workshop by Akin MOCA Member →

This year the Toronto Art Book Fair is turning 3! This milestone is marked by a new venue, Chinatown Centre at 222 Spadina Avenue, and official collaboration with Art Metropole, a compelling jam-packed program for the 2nd annual Art Book Week (July 4-11), and a unique roster of over 300 Canadian and international artists and exhibitors.

This year's exhibitors are a combination of first-time visitors to Toronto and familiar faces debuting new original work. This curated selection of exhibitors offers a glimpse into the experimental characteristics of the artist’s book, how the medium continues to evolve, and the ever-expanding field of printed matter. Artistic forms presented at the fair include, but are not limited to zines, comics, chapbooks, journals, silk-screen and risograph prints, photography, limited edition handmade books and art objects, stick-and-poke tattoos, social practice, performance, and film.

Also featured at this year's Toronto Art Book Fair is a unique Drumleaf and Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Workshop for Artists, lead by Akin MOCA artist Jessica Thalman. 

Thalmann will present a quick lecture on artists exploring unique sculptural elements in their photobooks. Participants will then be guided through the creation of two techniques. This workshop is suitable for artists working in a myriad of disciplines including drawing, painting, collage, photography and interdisciplinary artists wishing to create try more complex book structures. 

About the Instructor:
Jessica Thalmann is an artist, curator and educator currently based in Toronto and New York City. She received a MFA in Advanced Photographic Studies from ICP-Bard College and a BFA in Visual Arts from York University. She has worked at the Doris McCarthy Gallery, Toronto International Film Festival, C Magazine, the Art Gallery of York University and Yossi Milo Gallery.

Akin Creative: Drumleaf and Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Workshop for Artists on July 7 at Akin King

Saturday July 7 / 1pm-4pm / Akin King - 525 King St West, third floor studio / $30 per person / All materials provided / Please register at www.universe.com/bookbinding2018

Artist Jessica Thalmann will lead this workshop with participants interested learning two unique styles of handmade books including Coptic Stitch and Drumleaf binding.

Thalmann will present a quick lecture on artists exploring unique sculptural elements in their photobooks. Participants will then be guided through the creation of two techniques. Drumleaf is a simple glued book structure that is ideal for anyone looking to make books with their own prints as the content. The structure lays flat, eliminates the need to print on the front and back of sheets, and can be created using almost any kind of paper. Coptic Stitch is a very old technique using a visible chain stitch linked across the spine and a hard cover where the entire book is sewn together with one continuous piece of thread.

This workshop is suitable for artists working in a myriad of disciplines including drawing, painting, collage, photography and interdisciplinary artists wishing to create try more complex book structures. 

All Materials are provided but students could bring some special paper for the front and back cover if they want!

About the Instructor:
Jessica Thalmann is an artist, curator and educator currently based in Toronto and New York City. She received a MFA in Advanced Photographic Studies from ICP-Bard College and a BFA in Visual Arts from York University. She has worked at the Doris McCarthy Gallery, Toronto International Film Festival, C Magazine, the Art Gallery of York University and Yossi Milo Gallery.


This event is part of Art Book Week, a week-long series of events and activities that parallels the Toronto Art Book Fair. Art Book Week 2018 takes place from July 4-11 at various locations across the city. The goal of Art Book Week is to celebrate the unique artists' book community in Toronto, as well as increase the visibility of new and exciting projects, spaces, and artists. www.torontoartbookfair.com/art-book-week-2018


Accessibility: 
The workshop will be held on this third floor at Akin King. The address is 525 King St West. The building is fully accessible with a barrier-free entrance leading to an elevator. There are no steps to get into the elevator. There is an all genders washroom with a grab-bar installed. There are no steps to get into the washroom. The door to the studio is not automated but will be propped open for this event. Please let us know of any other accessibility needs, including ASL interpretation, so that we can assist you. Please email michael@akincollective.com at least one week before the event and we will do our best to accommodate you.