If you haven’t marbled in a while or are a relatively new marbler, you are often unsure of the basic techniques such as how to alum or mix paints or lay the paper down so no hesitation marks blemish the paper. Also, you may have forgotten the basic patterns built on the Get-Gel, the Non-Pareil, and the Chevron. Sally will work with each individual to identify what techniques might be improved and attempt to solve any problems that are plaguing their practice.

Midwest Marbling Instructor:
Sally Power has been marbling for 25 years and taught a variety of workshops at MCBA. She has studied with Steve Pittelkow, Antonio Velez Celemin, Galen Barry, and the Chena River Marblers. In June 2024 she had a solo show of her work at the Owatonna Arts Center. She is Chair of Midwest Marbling.

REGISTRATION & COST

• Members $137 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)
• Non-Members $165 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)

All tools & materials will be provided. If you have a particular color of paint you would like to troubleshoot or use, bring it to class.

What do you do with all the marbled paper you created? Join Aviva Aviel, our guest artist from Tel Aviv, for this in-person workshop making a simple, yet elegant Japanese Stab Binding book. Participants will learn how to create at least one template for a Japanese Stab Binding book and make a book using marbled paper. Feel free to bring your own papers to use. You’ll love how your papers shine in this book format.

Guest Artist:
Aviva Aviel is an Israeli artist who earned her Book Arts Certification from MCBA. She has an impressive set of skills ranging from marbling to creative book formats and has taught book arts in Tel Aviv. She is visiting Minnesota and we’re excited to have her offer this workshop!

REGISTRATION & COST

• Members $67 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)
• Non-Members $82 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)

All tools & materials will be provided. Feel free to bring your own marbled/decorative papers to use.

Intro to Paste Papering  — 9:30am-12:30pm
Welcome to Paste Papering!  By combining acrylic paint with paste and experimenting with a variety of tools, one can create a range of intriguing patterns on paper. In this first half of this workshop you will learn three basic patterns that you can build on. By the end of the session, participants will be able to Paste Paper on their own.

Paste Papering Over Marbled Paper — 1-4pm
Whether you want to jazz up your marbled paper or to add layers to your papers that invite a second look, Paste Papering may be the answer to your prayers. Paste Papering can add depth and interest to your preexisting marbled papers. It is recommended that you bring your own marbled papers for this part of the workshop. We will also have some marbled papers for you to experiment with or you can continue to pastepaper on plain paper. At the completion of the afternoon session, when folks wax enthusiastic over your papers, you will be well prepared answer this question: “How did you do that?”

Midwest Marbling Instructors:
Celeste Brosenne has been marbling for nearly 8 years and from the beginning she was smitten. Celeste is all about color and patterns  She is a former member of the MN Center for Book Arts Artist Collective and an active member of the Weaver’s Guild. Celeste has a Masters degree in Art History from the U of M. 

Mary Holland has been a marbler and surface designer for over thirty years. She began her art career after resigning from teaching music in 2007. She has been a long time member of Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and a founding member of Midwest Marbling. She has a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Systems.

REGISTRATION & COST

• Members $132 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)
• Non-Members $162 (Workshop + Materials + PayPal Fee)

Please bring your lunch because there are not any restaurants nearby.

Marblers are always searching for the best papers to use — and trying to stay away from paper that won’t “work.”

Erin Maurelli will do a presentation and answer questions about paper and marbling at Wet Paint on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2:30.

This presentation/conversation will explore one of the major questions that plague marblers: Why does some paper work for marbling and some doesn’t? Part of the answer is chemical — part is probably the process used to create the paper — and part of the answer is preference based on the ease of putting the paper down on the tank. The answer is often just buy a few sheets and see how it works before investing. Can there be a more certain answer?

Erin Maurelli will explore the factors that affect success when marbling and also highlight some papers that work well using the Wet Paint resources. She will also take questions and lead a discussion on the issues. This program is being put together by Midwest Marbling, an organization of marblers in the region and beyond who want to build their knowledge and expertise in marbling.”

Erin Maurelli is a Twin Cities based artist with 25 years of experience in printmaking and all things book arts. Her understanding of paper started as a young printmaker at Tamarind Institute, preparing paper for printing. Her knowledge of paper expanded under Timothy Barrett at the University of Iowa, where she studied the art of paper making. Today, she teaches college courses at multiple institutions, and adult education classes at Minnesota Center for Book Arts. As a member of Midwest Marbling, Erin is delighted to geek out over paper, and share what qualities she looks for when choosing papers.

The workshop will be free and open to the public.