This special class is being offered by the San Francisco Center for the Book to students who have achieved a high level of binding and working with leather, and who are interested in spending an extended amount of time with one of the most renowned bookbinders working today, Dominic Riley.

In this comprehensive four week master class, you will get to experience all the steps involved in making a fine designed binding with one of the Center’s most experienced teachers. Because of the concentrated nature of this unique class, you will be asked to apply for a place in advance, stating your experience and commitment to the project. Working with a handsome Private Press text chosen by Dominic, you will be led through a very thorough process of creating a design binding, incorporating all the technical steps associated with high quality binding, and focusing on complex design execution, leather decoration, creative gold tooling, and box making.

And that’s not all… During the class Dominic will share many of the tips and tricks of the trade, garnered from 25 years as a fine binder, conservator, artist, teacher and exhibitor. And finally… there will be a group exhibition at the end of the four weeks where all the finished bindings will come together in an exhibition at SFCB. This exhibition will run for a month, and there will be a fine reception to show off your work and enjoy your achievements with friends and fellow artists. 

BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS CLASS:

Those interested in signing up for the class must provide the following:

• A statement describing your interest in the intensive that includes a list of past binding classes and related experience. Email to info@sfcb.org with the subject line: Design Binding Intensive Application

• If available, please provide images of your work. Applicants will meet with Dominic (over the phone) to review their interest, statement and experience. Dominic will make the final decision regarding applications and acceptance into the intensive.

Please call SFCB with any questions: 415-565-0545 ex.105

Workshop Fee: $2,400 (before January 1st, 2016), $2,700 (after January 1st, 2016)

Date & Time: Monday, July 11, 2016 thru Friday, August 12, 2016. This includes a one-week break between weeks 1-2 and 3-4. This class will run Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

About the Instructor | Dominic Riley

Dominic Riley learned bookbinding at age 16 from Benedictine monks and at the London College of Printing. He spent the last 10 years in San Francisco teaching, lecturing and restoring rare books. He now has a bindery with Michael Burke in England's Lake District and serves as vice chairman of the Society of Bookbinders.

He also recently won the top award of £10,000 ($15,670.89) at the second Sir Paul Getty Bodleian Bookbinding Prize 2013 ceremony.The BBC filed the following report. To view the original go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22841501

Past Student Reviews

"Dominic is a masterful teacher. Very good with ALL students"