Summer Camp!
Sessions available for children, adults, and families.
Book your spot today!
10% Early Bird discount will apply until May 31st.
Join us for a week-long summer camp as we explore the world of making books by hand. From making the paper to sewing the binding, campers will acquire a new set of skills and walk away with a variety of hand-bound structures and printed materials that they will be proud to share with friends and family. Beginning with a brief introduction to the history and design of books, campers will then dive right into learning time-honored skills and historic crafts, all of which may be replicated at home with easily acquired materials.
MORNING and AFTERNOON sessions may be taken independently. Campers registered for ALL-DAY sessions will explore both form and content by incorporating the works created in the morning into books bound in the afternoon. All-day sessions include a 45 minute lunch break.
SESSION 1: July 13-17. Children ages 10-14 (rising 4th through 8th grade)
SESSION 2: July 20-24. Adults! What could be more fun than summer camp for adults?
SESSION 3: July 27-31. Families! Experience the joy of making books as a family.
MORNING sessions will focus on creating content* with:
• Hand paper making
• A creative writing session
• Paper marbling and paste paper decoration
• Printing cyanotypes and image transfer techniques
• Letterpress printing
*If a student registers just for the MORNING session, he/she will combine all completed loose works into a hand-bound portfolio.
AFTERNOON sessions will focus on the form of the book with these structures (incorporating content created in morning sessions):
• Accordion sketchbook
• Long stitch journal
• Post screw photo album
• Classic hardcover book
*If a student registers just for an AFTERNOON session, he/she will create the book structures using blank pages.
No previous bookmaking experience or artistic knowledge required. This camp is appropriate for anyone who loves books and reading, or creative writing and artistic self-expression. Class sizes are small so that instructors can provide one-on-one assistance, ensuring each camper realizes their creativity to their fullest potential.
10% Early Bird discount will apply until May 31st.
SESSION 1: July 13-17. Children ages 10-14 (rising 4th through 8th grade)
MORNING: 9 am -12 noon, $250 (includes all materials)
Click here to register for SESSION 1 MorningAFTERNOON: 12:45 pm – 3:45 pm, $250 (includes all materials)
Click here to register for SESSION 1 AfternoonALL-DAY: 9:00 am – 3:45 pm, $450 (includes all materials + 10% discount)
Click here to register for SESSION 1 All-Day
SESSION 2: July 20-24. Adults! What could be more fun than summer camp for adults?
MORNING: 9 am-12 noon: $250 (includes all materials)
Click here to register for SESSION 2 MorningAFTERNOON: 12:45 pm – 3:45 pm, $250 (includes all materials)
Click here to register for SESSION 2 AfternoonALL-DAY: 9:00 am – 3:45 pm, $450 (includes all materials + 10% discount)
Click here to register for SESSION 2 All-Day
SESSION 3: July 27-31. Families! Experience the joy of making books as a family.
MORNING: 9 am -12 noon: $450 (includes tuition + materials for 1 adult & 1 child; Add $200 for each additional child or adult).
Click here to register for SESSION 3 MorningAFTERNOON: 12:45 pm – 3:45 pm, $450 (includes tuition + materials for 1 adult & 1 child; Add $200 for each additional child or adult).
Click here to register for SESSION 3 AfternoonALL-DAY: 9:00 am – 3:45 pm, $900 (includes tuition + materials for 1 adult & 1 child + 10% discount; Add $400 for each additional child or adult).
Click here to register for SESSION 3 All-Day
The mission of Austin Book Arts Center is to engage people of all ages in creative, interpretive, and educational experiences related to the arts of the book. The ABAC Summer Camp presents an opportunity for people to develop a deeper appreciation of the book in our predominantly digital environment, thus preserving historical crafts for future generations. For centuries, the book has been the prime mode for communicating knowledge and continues to be a vital force for literacy and education. We envision a future where books continue to play an important role in our everyday lives. Our children and grandchildren will share with us the tactile experience of holding a book in our hands and turning the pages, no batteries required. Through books we learn of the world around us; imaginations are sparked; spirits are ignited. We seek continuity in these intellectual experiences and wish to share the delight in the sight and touch of a well-constructed book.
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.