NATURAL DYEING ON PAPER AND CLOTH — a CBAS workshop with fiber artist Judy Dominic

Two options:

Saturday, July 20 (1-5 p.m.) & Sunday, July 21 (2-4 p.m.)

or Saturday, July 27 (1-5 p.m.) & Sunday, July 28 (2-4 p.m.)

Using only what nature offers, dye paper and cloth with the lovely colors of the world around us. We will collect interesting local organics, place them on paper and/or cloth, bundle, wrap, tie and simmer them to extract the available color. The first day will be spent collecting and bundling/folding and wrapping/tying. Pots will be simmered and left to cool overnight. The second day will be like Christmas as we discover what has happened with our bundled treasures. To complement the process, compost and rust dyeing on both paper and cloth will also be explored.

 Judy Dominic is a weaver, basket maker, paper maker, book artist and installation artist who has exhibited and taught nationally and internationally. For more information and images of her work, see http://www.judydominic.com.

Workshops will be held at the artist's studio in Harrison, Ohio. Directions will be sent to all registrants.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

CBAS members $25

Non-members $40 (includes membership for remainder of 2013)

Fee covers 2-day workshop and basic materials. Estimated supply cost $20-$30. Reservations will be honored in the order received (no phone or e-mail reservations). All details, including cancellation policy, are on the registration form.

Space is limited. Deadline for reservations: Wednesday, July 10.
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(To print registration form, right click on your mouse, then save image as JPEG to your desktop.)

   

First Bookworks 14 Walk-Through Opens Our Eyes

Peg Rhein describes Parallel Lives, her collaged paper accordion

The First Bookworks 14 Artist Walk-Through on Sunday, June 23, brought a group of fifteen interested book lovers to the Main Library. Seven exhibitors each spoke about the work they had contributed: the inspiration behind the work, the process of creating it, the materials and techniques they used. Hearing those back stories gave us a glimpse into each artist's creative journey, and every one of the pieces took on much more meaning.

Fran Watson tells us what inspired her book Shades of Gray

 The second (and last) Walk-Through will be held Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. in the Atrium of the Main Library, 800 Vine Street. Even if you've seen the exhibit, you won't want to miss the opportunity to hear from some of the wonderfully creative artists in this year's show.

NOTE: At the request of the Public Library, the exhibition dates have been extended, and Bookworks will be on display until September 1.

Thanks to Janice K. for the report.

CBAS Announces Purchase Award

CBAS is very pleased to announce its Purchase Award for 2013, chosen from its annual Bookworks exhibition. This book will be a gift to the collection of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in memory of Keith Kuhn, former CBAS Chair and Library Services Director.

Selected by judges Amy Bogard (Art Academy of Cincinnati) and Lisa Jameson (Northern Kentucky University) was Paul's Blues by Lou Kroner. The artist's statement describes the work as follows: Inspired by the work of artist Dolph Smith, this book of old blue prints seemed to have only one presentation possibility—as part of an architectural structure. This project includes the tools and blueprints of my father-in-law, Paul Stryker, teacher and architect.

Paul's Blues by Lou Kroner

Be sure to plan a visit to Bookworks 14, now on view in the Library Atrium, June 11 through August 18, where you can see Paul's Blues, one of forty creative entries this year. And mark your calendar for 3 related events: 2 Sunday walk-throughs with book artists at 2 p.m. on June 23 and August 11; a free journal making workshop on Saturday, August 3, 2-5 p.m.

Note: The Library's fine collection of artists' books can be accessed anytime by visiting the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room on the third floor during regular business hours. The collection contains the best of local, regional, national and international work.

CBAS MEMBERS TOUR VENT HAVEN MUSEUM

CBAS gatherings are always enjoyable, but our much anticipated June 8 field trip to the Vent Haven Museum exceeded everyone's expectations. Vent Haven, in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, calls itself "the world's only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism," and 20 CBAS members spent the afternoon exploring one of Greater Cincinnati's true hidden treasures.

Curator Jennifer Dawson (back row, left) was wonderfully generous with her time, taking the group through each of the museum's three main buildings, sharing a wealth of information about the history of the art and the museum's founding, introducing us to a few of the 800 ventriloquist's dummies that bring the museum to life, and then allowing us to stay to photograph and sketch. The field trip was the first step in a CBAS collaborative project to create an exquisite corpse book this fall based on images inspired by the visit to Vent Haven.

Most of the figures were new to us, but a few old friends—among them Charlie McCarthy, Lambchop and Señor Wences—greeted the group as well. In what may be the first CBAS sing-along, the whole group spontaneously burst into "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestle's makes the very best choc'late" when Jennifer pointed out Farfel the dog sitting high on a shelf.

The Vent Haven Museum was the life's work of William Shakespeare Berger (1878–1972), a Cincinnati businessman who on a trip to New York in 1910 impulsively bought and then promptly lost interest in a dummy he later named Tommy Baloney. Years later he remembered the forgotten figure and began to learn the art of ventriloquism. After he retired in the late 1940s, Berger devoted his energies to acquiring figures for his collection and serving as President of the International Brotherhood of Ventriloquists. The revenue from a trust Berger established continues to maintain the museum today. In July, Vent Haven will again host the annual ConVENTion that brings over 400 amateur and professional ventriloquists from all over the world to the area and to the museum.

Many, many thanks to curator Jennifer Dawson for her time, expertise and hospitality. Our field trip to Vent Haven has been a highlight of the year, and great inspiration for our collaborative book.

Thanks to Janice K. for sending along this information and photos.

CBAS at Ohio Print Gathering

Cincinnati's Tiger Lily Press (TLP) hosted the Fourth Annual Ohio Print Gathering (OPG), May 31-June 1. Artists from Cleveland's Zygote Press, Phoenix Rising from Columbus, and the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative joined TLP members and friends.

Activities included a tour of the studio of Jay Bolotin; a visit to the Steam Whistle Letterpress and Design; the opportunity to view prints at the Clay Street Press; and the opening of Prints for Peace and Justice at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Congratulations to CBAS members David Umbenhour and Terri Kern, whose collaborative work with Richard Hague won the Director's Award.

Plenty of time to admire and discuss the work of CBAS members and Ohio printmakers

Thanks to Tiger Lily for inviting CBA members to display work during Open Portfolio Review on Saturday. OPG participants examined the work on display, asked lots of questions, and listened as Cecie Chewning, Nancy Driesbach, Lou Kroner, and Peg Rhein discussed their work and process.

CBAS members who had work on display included: Cecie Chewning, Trish DeMonge, Jo Diamantes, Judy Dominic, Nancy Driesbach, Nancy Hignite, Janice Kagermeier, Paula Kirk, Lou Kroner, Peg Rhein, Judith Serling-Sturm, Anne Endress Skove, Veronica Sorcher, and Stefan Washburn.

Thanks to Rick Finn for the photo and Lou K. for this information. For more photos of the weekend, visit TLP's blog. http://www.tigerlilypress.blogspot.com/