This special class is being offered by the San Francisco Center for the Book to students who have achieved a high level of binding and working with leather, and who are interested in spending an extended amount of time with one of the most renowned bookbinders working today, Dominic Riley.

Dominic taught this class for the first time in 2016, and it was a great success: nine students produced bindings of stunning imagination technical achievement. Dominic and SFCB  are thrilled to able to offer the class for a second time.

In this comprehensive four-week master class, you will get to experience all the steps involved in making a fine designed binding with one of SFCB’s most experienced teachers. Because of the concentrated nature of this unique class, you will be asked to apply for a place in advance, stating your experience and commitment to the project. Working with a handsome Private Press text chosen by Dominic, you will be led through a very thorough process of creating a design binding, incorporating all the technical steps associated with high quality binding, and focusing on complex design execution, leather decoration, creative gold tooling, and box making.

And that’s not all… During the class Dominic will share many of the tips and tricks of the trade, garnered from 30 years as a fine binder, conservator, artist, teacher and exhibitor.

And finally… there will be a group exhibition at the end of the four weeks where all the finished bindings will come together in an exhibition at SFCB. This exhibition will run for a month, and there will be a fine reception to show off your work and enjoy your achievements with friends and fellow artists. 

BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS CLASS:

Those interested in signing up for the class must complete this application form. Applicants will communicate with the instructor, Dominic Riley, via email to review their interest, statement and experience. *Dominic will make the final decision regarding applications and acceptance into the intensive.

Please contact SFCB at 415.565.0545 or via workshops@sfcb.org with any questions. 

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Materials to Bring: Instructor will reach out to accepted students 6 weeks in advance of workshop start date with details about materials to bring.

Pre-Requisite: Bookbinding Cores 1-4, Orientation to Leather AND at least 1 Leather Core workshop; or similar bookbinding experience.

Workshop Fee (includes $400 materials fee): $2900.00*

Date & Time: Mondays through Fridays July 13 through August 7, 2020 :: 9:30am-5:30pm 

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 6 weeks PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

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About the Instructor | Dominic Riley

Dominic Riley Is an internationally renowned bookbinder, artist, lecturer and teacher. He has his bindery in England, from where he travels across the UK teaching and lecturing. He spends part of the year teaching in San Francisco and across the USA. His work is mostly restoration and Design Binding, for which he has won many prizes in the Designer Bookbinders competition. He was elected Fellow of DB in 2008. His bindings are in collections worldwide, including the British Library, the Grolier Club in New York and the San Francisco Public Library. In 2013 he won first prize, the Sir Paul Getty Award, in the International Bookbinding Competition. Dominic is President of the Society of Bookbinders.

He has taught masterclasses in the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, at the Centro del Bel Libro in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Canada.

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Past Student Reviews:

“Many aspects were helpful. The design binding process was developed fully in great detail. I will immediately proceed to additional design bindings and try to meet the standard Dominic demonstrated. For me, the attention to detail, orderly work habits and organization will be helpful in strengthening my work habits. Seeing the work of the other folks in the class will set a higher standard for innovative design work. The class was a delight.”

[What did you like most about the workshop?] “Working together learning all the intricate layers of what makes a designer binding. I love the passion of everyone there. Dominic teaches with superb skill, compassion, wit and patience.”

“Working with Dominic for a month has been one of the best decisions I have made with my time in years.”

“With Dominic’s guidance and assistance we made amazing books, and three boxes. We covered a huge amount of information and we almost finished all of the pieces. Making a design binding, with boxes, having the reception and seeing the finished work on display feels like an accomplishment.

This class was an amazing experience. To be able to focus on a complete project for an extended period of time.”