Classic book arts meet high tech tools at new boundedition studio

The book arts industry is undergoing a considerable amount of change, and so are the options for studying them in Ann Arbor. When Hollander's announced the end of their School of Book & Paper Arts, a group of local bibliophiles decided they would both pick up where the traditional books arts school left off – as well as introduce new technologies into the community. 

 

"Ann Arbor has a rich history of producing high-quality books," says boundedition partner Laura Earle. "There are a number of people in the area who love all things bibliophile."

 

Boundedition opened this week on Plaza Dr. inside the Maker Works space. The LLC is a partnership between five book lovers and book arts instructors, including Earle, Jim Horton, Barbara Brown, Tom Veling and Gene Alloway. The member-based community will offer classes in the classic book arts, such as bookbinding, but will also partner with Maker Works to blend high tech tools into the process. 

 

"It's definitely old world craftsmanship meets new world technology," says Earle.

 

This could include incorporating such tools as laser cutters into traditional bookbinding techniques, or creating books out of unconventional materials. Earle says she hopes the community will attract a new generation of people interested in learning the book arts. Ultimately, she says, the member-based business will become whatever the members make it. 

 

"This is a really innovative, creative community," she says. "I have high hopes that they'll do interesting things with it."