Transforming the Familiar

Transforming the Familiar
Saturday, February 21, 2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Zoom
Registration is Required
Mini-workshop fee: $30.00

 Join me as I demonstrate how to turn old books into new paper sculptures. Part demonstration, part exploration; you will learn techniques for altering books by cutting, folding and tearing pages. I will also demonstrate how to remove a text block from a book and sew a signature back together. If you can’t bring yourself to cut up old books you can use small notebooks instead. Examples of altered books; mine and other artists, will be shown during the class.

Materials:

• 1 - 4 x 6 bound notebook (sewn, not spiral bound) or vintage hardcover book (size is approximate)
  
• 1 - 5 x 7 bound notebook (sewn, not spiral bound) or vintage hardcover book (size is approximate)
  
• Packaging or cereal box cardboard several pieces at least 6 x 9 (not corrugated please)
  
• 8 - 8.5 x 11 inch printer paper or colored construction paper
  
• Some scrap paper
  

Meet the Presenter: Gina Pisello
Gina Pisello is a paper engineer and book artist. Her work consists of original book structures, altered books, and paper sculptures. She explores themes of time, personal history, and the interplay of shadow and light. She has taught book arts for over 20 years, focusing mainly on book structures she has invented. Her work has been shown across the US and in Britain and can be found in several public collections. You can learn more about our presenter by viewing her Instagram page.

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