A School of Fine Binding and Book Conservation
Founded in 1993 by Tini Miura, Einen Miura and Daniel Tucker, the American Academy of Bookbinding is an internationally known degree-oriented bookbinding and book conservation school that offers book enthusiasts of all levels the opportunity to initiate and improve their skills in a generous and supportive learning environment. The Academy conducts intensive courses in the fine art of leather binding, conservation and related subjects. The goal of the Academy is to graduate professional-level binders and book conservators who have the knowledge and skills to produce the highest quality work and the ability to pass on these skills to the next generation. The Academy is unique in the United States in its ability to offer a comprehensive diploma granting program in the study of bookbinding and book conservation, taught by some of the most experienced and highly regarded book artists and conservators in the world. Our main campus is in Telluride, Colorado, and in 2012 we are offering workshops in San Francisco and at the Lallier/Etherington studio in Summerfield, North Carolina.
There are many introductory classes offered and students may attend some classes with little or no experience. Some students pursue their studies further and enter a program that culminates with a diploma in Fine Binding or Book Conservation. Some students pursue both tracks of the curriculum. Your training and practice at the American Academy of Bookbinding will give you a strong foundation in bookbinding and conservation that will complement whatever path you choose to follow.
Selective Admission Policy
Classes are limited to eight or 10 participants (five in Summerfield), and each student must apply to the Academy for acceptance into the program. Students are required to submit a resume and written statement about why they would like to attend the Academy. Applications must be received no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of each class.
A Note From Our Directors:
I am delighted that the book conservation program at the American Academy of Bookbinding is flourishing. With the newly remodeled Telluride facility and additional equipment, we have the capability to offer more diverse programs in both bookbinding and book conservation. We also look forward to expanding our faculty.
With improvements to the Telluride studio, we would like to concentrate our energy on expanding our course offerings in Telluride and bringing more students to our main campus there. The facility is truly one of the best-equipped teaching facilities for bookbinding in the country, and with our administration based in Telluride, we are better able to oversee the program and take care of our students there.
Monique Lallier and I will offer a few weeks of classes at our studio in Summerfield, North Carolina during the summer. It is difficult to offer summer classes in Telluride due to the resort economy there (and the lack of affordable student lodging), and these classes are an opportunity for those who cannot attend classes in the spring or fall in Telluride. We are also looking forward to traveling less! Please join us in Telluride or Summerfield as we continue to provide you with the highest level of instruction in Fine Binding and Book Conservation.
Don Etherington
Director of Book Conservation
As well as continuing with our comprehensive selection of technique oriented classes for those interested in Fine Binding and Book Conservation, we’ve added classes in Concept and Design. These classes will be open to both fine binding, conservation and other interested students. They will be oriented toward the better understanding and exploration of invention and design and their application to the modern book form. Our goal is to provide instruction that will help students not only construct wonderfully crafted books, but ones that are conceptually integrated and visually exciting.
The instructors who will help with our goal are familiar names from various facets of bookmaking: letterpress printing, calligraphy, printmaking, artist books, binding and more. However, at AAB they will put their techniques in the background and concentrate on facilitating the discovery of interesting ideas and ways to materialize them related to bookmaking. While the individual instructors’ goals will be similar, they will approach and explore those goals according to their own art-making and teaching styles.
I invite you to read the class descriptions for 2012 and hope that you will join us.
Don Glaister
Director of Fine Binding
Check out our BLOG!:
americanacademyofbookbinding.blogspot.com
2012 CLASSES ANNOUNCED!!
DOWNLOAD THE 2012 CATALOG:
