ABCs of Letterpress Postponed

The ABCs of Letterpress workshop starting in March has been postponed to start on Thursday April 7th. There are still spots left for those who would like to join us!

Other Stuff!
Albert and I have been busy at the studio moving things around, getting rid of stuff and generally trying to make the space flow a bit more. Not sure if we've got it right yet but  we can always tweak it.
Below are some pics of what we've been busy with at the studio in the past few months.

Big new work table that Albert made for the studio! Thanks Albert!! 

My Ladies of Letterpress Swap came in the male a couple of weeks ago!
Nice folio made for all of our broadsides!

Some of the letterpresses goodies inside the folio.
I always love seeing how everyone interprets the project! 

One of my new interns, Pauline, helping me print
this year's Wayzgoose Anthology submission. 

Claro, another intern helped print the
outside of the Wayzgoose Anthology submission.

All Canadian cuts and engravings.

Close up of some of the cuts and engravings in their form.

Back in the studio

The studio has been pretty quiet over the holidays but we're slowly getting the presses humming for 2014. Let's shake the dust off the type, oil the presses, and get some printing done!

There are new workshops scheduled and we're in the middle of an "advanced" type-setting course. Pictures of the students' work will be posted soon.

Can you spot the typo?

Here's a lock-up of some 24 point Alpha-Blox on one of the Vandercook SP-15's at the studio. Alpha-Blox was a modular system created by American Type Founders that allowed a compositor to create a variety of designs and letterforms with a set of discrete shapes. This is the linear set; there is also a reverse set. Combining the two creates opportunities for some really abstract imagery.

Alpha-Blox are fun to play with mostly because all the sorts are square. So a lot of the headaches that come with setting metal type and locking-up are avoided.

-Al (studio assistant)

New batch of vintage wood type orphans for sale at the studio. I cleaned them and everything!

Printing my paper bags.

Proof for a broadside. I ended up changing some of the fonts.

Some Scenes

These are some photos from two of the classes I teach. The first two sets are from the January ABCs of Letterpress class and the third is from the Intro. to Book Binding workshop.

Pics!

A-ha!
Here are some photos from the paper making workshop several weeks ago, as well as from the book binding and letterpress workshops that are ongoing... I had to get people to remind me to take photos!
Next week we start sewing our text blocks together in the book binding workshop and on Tuesday everyone (fingers crossed) in the ABCs of Letterpress class will be printing their one colour broadside on the Vandercook SP15 and learning how that press works.

A freshly pulled sheet of white cotton.

Andrew is adding some found suburban detritus to his pulp before making his sheets.

Andrew's sheet with suburban detritus inclusions (Oo! that sounds  so pretentious!)

Dan peeling his sheets off the felts after pressing. He pulled such nice thin white sheets of
paper that he found using some newsprint pressed onto the damp sheet was helpful in pulling it off the felts for drying.

Andrew laying his cover on his accordion book while Sophie watches.

Cori looking happy with her wee accordion book.

The beginning of Dana's broadside.

Checking out the wood type and metal type before composing broadsides.

Sheila is going to try to set some rules on angles!!

Kerning the wood type.

Welcome to the studio, Mason!

Last Saturday was an exciting day at the studio. Mason, our new foster press was delivered! After months of trying to co-ordinate between Sigrid, Craig and I, it finally came together! Mason ( a Vandercook SP15 that is rumoured to once have belonged to a famous Canadian writer that current mayor Rob Ford had never heard of ) was delivered to it's new long term temporary home at KOZO Studio. Along with Mason, Sigrid also gave me several boxes filled with various ornaments, leading, rules, metal display type and ink to use with Mason! Thank you Sigrid! I'll keep it all safe for your working visits to the studio.

It was a beautiful day for moving Mason. The last thing you want to do is movie a big press made of steel in the rain! As you can see from the photos we had lots of sun, a little bit of a breeze and a nice fall temperature! Thanks to Craig Black, Nick Kennedy and Albert Kwon for doing the pick up and delivery! Next time I have to remember to have more Coca Cola around.

So, right now the studio is in a state of disarray. Well, more than usual disarray! I've been sorting leads, cleaning and sorting ornaments, finding space for type and moving big pieces of furniture around (with the help of Ken and Albert - thank you, guys).  Now that all the press stuff and moving is settled I'll be able to start workshops again next week. Not sure how the new floor layout will work in terms of flow. Hopefully it will be fine. It ain't easy moving cases of lead and heavy metal presses around! We'll see how it goes.

Nick and Craig moving Mason onto the hydraulic cart.
Nick's new Universal Press is behind him.

Nick  and Albert posing on the hydraulic lift!

Lift down and now To move Mason onto the sidewalk...

...with a handy piece of flat steel to use as a ramp. 

The cool edge pry/lift-y thing helping craig get Mason onto the sidewalk.

There's Mason on the sidewalk.
Sorry guys. Mason is not going to walk into the studio on it's own!

Jan. Photos

Lead used for holding space.

A student's project printing vintage cuts on the vandercook SP15.

From my Letterpress 1 workshop.

Close up of odds and ends of cast type.

Odds and ends of tiny cast type fished out of trays.

WORKSHOPS FOR SPRING!

Here's the latest on workshops at KOZO. There are workshops in letterpress, book binding and book arts and relief printmaking. I'm really excited!

Intro. to Letterpress
April 6 from 10 - 3 pm

Learn the basics of printing on a flatbed press with Akemi Nishidera at her studio.

The Vandercook press is one of the most popular presses for letterpress printers and the little Showcard is perfect for small editions, gift tags, and quick prints. In this introduction class participants will learn to print from a combination of wood type, metal type, and metal cuts. This is a great workshop to take if you have an inkling that you might like to get your own press.

Cost $ 55.00+GST plus supply fee of $10.00.

Letterpress 1
Sun. April 20 & 27, 10 - 5 pm

This intensive two day workshop picks up where the Intro. class ended. Participants will learn about composing, using furniture, locking up a form and registration. Each participant will create a small two colour edition of their own unique letterpress printed Broadsides

Participants should have 'Letterpress Printing Intro.' or have discussed their previous experience with the instructor.

Workshop price for the 2 days is $150.00+GST plus a $15.00 supply fee.



Relief Printmaking
6 Wednesdays starting May 21 from 6 - 9 pm.

Relief printmaking is a popular form of printing because it can be done very simply and inexpensively if you are just a hobbyist or a beginner. In these hands-on sessions participants, will explore creating images with some traditional and non-traditional supplies We will also learn about tools used for creating these "plates", types of papers, inks, and methods of hand printing. Students will have created a portfolio of prints by the end of the session.

$140.00+GST plus $20.00 supply fee



Book Binding 101
8 Tuesdays starting April 1 from 6 - 9 pm

In this set of 8 workshops participants will learn about bookbinding terminology, tools, supplies and create a variety of book forms (concertinas, stab bound, single page, pamphlet, hardcover, experimental, etc.). Students will learn about the book structure and the importance of the papers that are used. Methods of embellishment for books will also be taught.
Cost $ 186.00* plus $20.00 supply fee


Progressions in Paper
4 Wednesdays starting April 16 from 6 - 9 pm

Four days of playing with paper! In this series we will explore the world of paper and methods of decorating them Participants will try paste papers, orizome marbling, relief, washes and glazes and momigami. The resulting papers are , sturdy, unique and perfect for bookbinding, scrapbook projects, cards, collage and so much more!
Cost $72.08 plus $20.00 supply fe


Chigiri-e
Sunday May 4 from 10 - 3 pm

Chigiri-e is a Japanese art form that uses paper to create a 'painting'. Washi (known as rice paper) of varying colours, weights and textures are torn in small pieces and collaged to create an image that looks very much like a watercolour painting! Participants will learn about washi and why it is used, create their own 'painting', and frame it in a traditional Japanese style.
Cost $ 55.00+GST plus $15.00 supply fee.
Makes a great Mother'sDay gift!


Bind and Blab
Thursday March 27, April 24, May 29 & June 26, from 6 - 9 pm

FREE

Drop in for an informal gathering at the studio. Bring your book projects to work on, chat, trade information, share stories, opinions, ideas, meet people and have some tea.
Please call ahead to book a chair.

VANDERCOOK SP15 RENTAL for letterpress

$35.00 for the first two hours/session

$10.00 for each additional hour/session

Add $20.00/hour if you need assistance and/or technical help.
A minimum of two hours must be booked per session.
Included; black rubber based ink, access to available wood type, metal type and cuts, furniture, leading, chase, clean up supplies.

Workshop Registration Information

A deposit of 50%of the workshop cost (before 5% GST) is required upon registration to guarantee a space in the workshop. We will contact you by telephone or e-mail to confirm your registration. Remainder of payment plus GST on the total workshop cost is due on the first day of the workshop. Supply fees are payable to the instructor in cash at the workshop.

Cancellations are allowed up to three days before the date of the workshop and a cancellation fee of $15.00 will be charged. After that time, no refunds will be given.

We reserve the right to cancel a workshop if there is insufficient participation and in this case all fees will be refunded to the participants.

For more information contact Akemi.
e-mail: kozostudio@gmail.com
tel: 416-214-1882

Payment is by cash, cheque., VISA or MC.. Registration and deposit may be mailed to
KOZO c/o Akemi Nishidera, 51 Cummings St., Toronto, ON M4M 1M9

Please do not forget to include your name, e-mail, telephone number and the name and date of the workshops you wish to register in!

*Cheques should be made out to Akemi Nishidera.

Please DO NOT put cash in the mail!


Registration should be mailed to

Akemi Nishidera, 51 Cummings St., Toronto, ON M4M 1M9

All workshops held at the studio located at 257 Broadview Ave.