Classroom Spotlight

Zines, Artists’ Books, and Experimental Printmaking

Scripps College, Summer 2020
Professor Tia Blassingame

During the virtual Summer Session of 2020 at Scripps College in a course conceived by Tia Blassingame, Director of Scripps College Press and Assistant Professor of Art, students in the Zines, Artists’ Books, and Experimental Printmaking course explored the basics of conceptualizing and making zines and artists’ books through demonstrations, library visits, and conversations with artists like Morgan Stewart and Jerushia Graham, and curators like Marcia Reed at the Getty Research Institute. Students learned the basics of folding paper combined with mark-making and early printmaking techniques that could be done at home. Through structured and open exercises, students developed content and layouts for increasingly complex books. Remote class visits to Denison Library, Honnold/Mudd Library Special Collections, and Asian Library Special Collections showcased historical and contemporary book arts treasures at Scripps College and within the Claremont Colleges.

Utilizing the book and print techniques that they had learned during this six-week, intensive summer studio course, students created final projects that explored their choice of subject matter: personal, political, informational, storytelling. These artists’ books were designed and executed by students working in their homes across the country and globe.

Please visit the links below to read selected project descriptions and student interviews for an in-depth response to the experience.

Kesi Jackson

Eliza Kornfeld

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