Papermaking and Handmade Books

Discover the art of papermaking and bookbinding by learning to craft your own paper and create handmade books, including Japanese binding techniques, concertina and hardcover journals. In this course, you'll also undertake a self-directed project to transform an existing book into a deconstructed or altered artist book using various creative processes. Students will gain valuable skills in papermaking that are applicable to both bookbinding and artistic endeavours.

Janet Parker-Smith provides demonstrations and hands-on experimentation; you'll explore techniques such as folding, cutting, and constructing to develop a unique artist book from an existing one. Bring your own 2-dimensional art works, found images, fabrics and other materials and learn how to use them to make a unique artist book or a 3-dimensional artwork. Students will leave with basic skills in papermaking, bookmaking and book construction.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over. 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Janet Parker-Smith is a Sydney-based artist whose practice incorporates print media, small sculptural forms, collage and altered books. She has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for over 25 years. Janet has had several solo exhibitions and selected as a finalist in many art award exhibitions. Her work is collected by the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Gallery of Victoria and numerous other public and private collections.
Janet works as a sessional teacher at the National Art School and Sydney College of the Arts, as well as in Public Programs at NAS. She also works as an Arts Worker for councils across Sydney on different art projects and programs. Janet has been supported and represented by Van Rensberg Galleries in Hong Kong, May Space and M. Contemporary in Sydney.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Pencil, ruler, rubber, notebook/sketchbook
• 1 x 125ml Acid free PVA glue – Helmar brand if possible 
• Old prints, papers, fabrics 
• Papers for book making can be purchased on campus if you want them, otherwise use the provided office copy paper. 
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.