Center For Book Arts

Fun spot to learn some cool things about books and paper! I had a great time learning about pamphlet stitching during my two-day class and I'm excited to learn more. The instructor was fantastic.

There's a wide variety of classes, including some online, some at lower price points than others. As a hobby, it's out of reach for me, but if you're artist interested in making books, this has got to be your spot!

What? I am almost ashamed for the fact that I haven't Yelped about CBA sooner. Seriously. How could I?

If you're into bookbinding or letterpress printing, you'd love CBA without a doubt. You'd feel so lucky to be in New York, because you have CBA here.

I have taken a few courses at the bindery throughout the years and they were all extremely worthy. You get top notch masters in the book art world as your instructors: Barbara Mauriello, Carolyn Chadwick... My personal favorite has always been Susan Mills. She's super friendly and patient. She has given me a lot of wonderful techniques that I'd never forget. For most classes, you will have the opportunities to use their huge collection of fabric and decorative paper.

I stumbled upon CBA's classes through a friend's mention, started making books, and now I can't stop.

Take a tour, and check out some fantastic work that they have on display regularly. (But before you go, check out my books, please! You can find the links on my profile. I've gotta plug them, there's simply no way around it.)

I took the Letterpress Seminar with Barbara Henry here and absolutely loved working with her. I learned so much and got to know some wonderful artists, writers, and small press founders. I have such respect for Barbara and the art of letterpress. She is truly a master of her art--I loved how she would demonstrate the steps, but she would never do the steps for us. That's how you learn. I'm grateful to have met her. As a poet and visual artist I really appreciate what The Center does for the vital intersection of text and art! They host excellent events, classes, and exhibitions. It was an honor to be involved and I will always recommend this place to visitors and NYC residents alike.

The following review is for a letterpress class:
I was SO excited to take this course. I have had an interest in letterpressing for quite some time and have actually taken a class at another center. After moving to NYC, I couldn't wait to pursue this interest further.

Now, I don't want to say I hate letterpressing. But, I do have a strong aversion due to my awful experience at the Center For Book Arts. I took an intro class with Amber McMillian. Never before have I taken a class in which the teacher discourages students from asking questions! The class had no structure or direction. Saliently this class was an after thought for the instructor. I'm not sure if she is mandated to teach since she works for the organization. Regardless of the reason, the Center for Book Arts should not employ a teacher who has no interest in teaching.

When teaching the class about photopolymer plates, she refused to answer questions and didn't explain the process at all! She handed out a brief instruction guide as opposed to teaching the class. She told the students to refer to the handout instead. The hand out included "resources" which directed students to a business' FAQ website and a yahoo forum! Keep in mind this course cost FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. I could have learned more borrowing books from the library.

I am extremely disappointed in the course and lack of enthusiasm The Center for Book Arts has in encouraging this art form in the community. The course was a complete waste of time, money and aggravation.

AVOID THE CENTER FOR BOOK ARTS LETTERPRESSING COURSE AT ALL COSTS!

This place is so cool. It's just a little hole in the wall studio, but it's also the epicenter of an underground NYC book arts community that I didn't even know existed. You come through the door into this huge open loft space with all these machines that look kind of like torture devices, but are actually typographical equipment. I haven't been able to take classes here since they're WAY out of my price range (hence the -1 star), but I've been able to chat with the artists and teachers for free, and they're all really nice.

I first came here for a sale last winter and got a bunch of beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas presents, including this nifty calendar for my mom that folds in this confusing, ingenious way to show the monthly view and daily view at the same time. My friend got an awesome set of comic-like etchings showing people on the subway with overheard comments coming out of their mouths in speech bubbles. Sign up for their mailing list and you'll get invited to their events, which range from excellent sales to black-tie events to silent auctions.

An awesome, little-known scene. Definitely worth checking out.

I've taken two bookbinding courses here -- one five-day intensive and one six-week course -- and loved them. Great instructors, wonderful atmosphere. The *only* reason I'm giving 4 stars and not 5 is because if not enough people register, the courses are canceled ... understandable, but frustrating when you're looking forward to a new class -- and then it doesn't happen. So if you've ever thought about bookbinding ... come on, enroll! You'll get wonderful training with a skilled instructor, and meet a lot of great people!

Great small gallery with a really friendly staff. I hope to get a chance to check out some of their classes in the future.