This is a three session online workshop.

We are living in the age of rapidly unfolding climate disasters – can the artist’s book function as a tool for community activism? In this workshop participants will explore the use of the artist’s book as a means for presenting Code Red environmental issues such global warming, pollution, deforestation and resource depletion among other pressing concerns. This is a content creating workshop designed to encourage the use of our voices as artists and writers to educate about and advocate for environmental issues. 

The historical lineage of activist artist books and examples of approaches artists have used in creating books with ecological justice themes will be presented. Participants will be asked to identify an issue in their local communities to investigate as potential content for a book project. Research, writing and image-making prompts and assignments will be given with the goal of creating a mock-up or prototype for a future individual or collaborative book project. 

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Materials to Bring: 

• a dozen 3" x 5" notecards
• writing and drawing tools 
• 8.5" x 11" copy paper (6 pieces)
• 11" x 17" or 12" x 18" copy paper or sketchbook page paper (2 pieces)
• scissors
• glue stick
• collage materials (magazine photos, ephemera)

Workshop Fee: $125
Scholarships are available; please apply here.

Date & Time: 3 Thursdays :: February 3, 10 & 17, 2022 :: 4-6pm Pacific time

Location: Online over Zoom

SFCB online workshops are recorded; all registered students will have access to the videos for four weeks.

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.

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About the Instructor | Ellen Sheffield

Ellen Sheffield’s works on paper and artist’s books use text and image intersections and juxtapositions to create unexpected readings. In collaborations with poets, experiments with found text and engagement with her expanding writing practice, she explores themes of the environment, place, memory and language perception. Her studio, Unit IV Arts, is located in Gambier, Ohio, where she has taught for Kenyon College’s Art Department and presented virtual workshops for book art centers around the country. The Beinecke Library at Yale University, the Ella Strong Denison Library at Scripps College, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and many others have collected her artist books.

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Past Student Reviews:

“Ellen helps me think "way outside of the box." Her way of helping me find my voice is unique, quirky and wonderful.”

“I loved Ellen's easy-going style and the way she eased the group into the various writing exercises. Lots of good ideas that I am sure I will make use of in my book arts.”

“I didn't expect to come out of this workshop with so many ideas. I have been struggling with one particular artist book for many months and I feel like I have several directions that I can take now after this class. It felt like Ellen laid out a banquet of ways to generate ideas for content. Thank you so very much.”