About This Activity
In this hands-on workshop for ages 11–14, young artists will design and create their own one-of-a-kind artist book from start to finish. Teaching artist and zine maker Erika Rier will guide participants in an exploration of the creative possibilities of bookmaking, demonstrating foundational techniques such as gate folds, fold-outs, layered pages, and hand-cut elements that transform drawings into interactive visual stories. Along the way, participants will learn how to storyboard ideas, design memorable characters, and shape a compelling visual narrative from early sketches to a finished, bound artist book or zine. Through guided prompts and creative experimentation, they’ll move from rough sketches to a thoughtfully constructed, interactive book. Participants will develop their personal artistic style while strengthening their understanding of composition, pacing, page design, while discovering how the structure of a book can make a story even more powerful. This workshop centers creativity, critical thinking, and storytelling skills in a collaborative studio environment. By the end, each artist will leave with a finished handmade zine or artist book that is uniquely theirs, and the tools to keep creating their stories long after the workshop ends. Why join? This workshop gives young artists the chance to build confidence, and create something immersive, interactive, and entirely their own. Students will learn real artist book-making techniques while strengthening storytelling, design thinking, and creative problem-solving skills.
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