Come join us to learn about Artists’ Books, paper arts, box structures and creating dynamic book bindings! Reserve your seat!
Reserve your seat!
SDBA offers a wide array of classes in book constructions, box creations, as well as paper arts and embroidery. Check out our upcoming workshops. Don’t miss the opportunity of studying with Paul Jackson, renowned paper artist, for one-piece structural packaging! Kit Davey adds joy to the world with her creative book constructions. Daniel Kelm returns with more ingenious lessons. Nancy Akerly continues to entice us with her wonderful box structures, and Celeste Chalasani is bringing dynamic embroidery techniques to SDBA, marrying fiber and book arts into delightful outcomes.
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Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:00 am PT via Zoom and Monday, January 19th is the last day to reply in order to receive the RSVP reminder
Open to members and non-members. RSVP required. Attendees must take care of their RSVP in a timely manner, and take note of the Zoom link that is received upon replying.
Presentation:
Why Do Some Books Open So Well, While Others Do Not?
“Why do some books open so well, while others do not? This query has been a central focus of attention for my entire five-decade career. The question is specific to the opening and closing of a book, but in my experience that can be a good indicator of the overall quality of the book. By looking at a wide variety of books, what they express, and how they function, we will examine the characteristics and qualities of materials, the integration of the elements that make up the binding structure, and the intention of the book artist/maker. All of these contribute to the success or failure of a book.”
Tips & Tricks
Judith Christensen
"Home is Where the Story Begins"
Exhibit Dates
January 12 - February 20
Opening Reception: January 15, 2026, 4 - 6 PM, Pacific Time
James Alan Rose Art Gallery
6501 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111
The Genie Shenk Excellence in Book Arts Award was granted to Judith Christensen, San Diego Book Arts member. The award recognized an outstanding mid-career artist in the San Diego area whose body of work demonstrates artistic achievement in the medium of book arts. SDBA celebrates and supports this recipient’s solo book arts show.
Your Directors present a brief slideshow, followed by a wonderful presentation with Paul Jackson!
Boxes: Should we be Thinking Outside, Inside or Between Them?
Paul Jackson gives reasons why it is preferable to think between boxes, instead of thinking outside them, when creating new work. He gives tips on how to do this and shows examples from his own creative practice as a paper artist.
Paul Jackson has been a professional paper artist and paper engineer since 1983. He has taught extensively, including at the Royal College of Art in London, MIT in Boston and is a semi-regular instructor at the Centro del Libro in Ascona, Switzerland. He has written 45 books and been a consultant for many clients, including Nike, Disney and the Harry Potter movies. His folded artworks have been exhibited extensively. English born, Paul has an MA in Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.