Workshop with Stephanie Stigliano
Pop-Up Book Constructions
On February 2, 2020, NEBA’s Stephanie Stigliano taught a one-day workshop on pop-ups in her Malden home. In attendance were Marie Canaves and Susan Marsh both of whom had jumped (no pun intended) at the chance to study with such an accomplished artist, curator, and teacher.
Stephanie is well respected in the New England book arts community, and her work forms part of such august collections as the Fogg Museum, Houghton Library of Harvard University, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the National Museum for Women in the Arts.
Stephanie Stigliano
Pop Up Book: Black and Red, (2019)
6 x 30”, open
Stephanie Stigliano
Pop Up Book: Ocher, (2019)
4 x 24”, open
Stephanie began the workshop by showing her favorite reference books on paper engineering, The Elements of Pop Up, by James Diaz and David A. Carter; and The Pop Up Book, Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating over 100 Original Paper Projects, by Paul Jackson. She also talked about other published books on the subject by Marion Baitalle, Carole Barton, Scott McCarney, and Emily Martin.
In a very clear and methodical manner, Stephanie introduced pop ups that are cut into the fold and become dimensional in motion. The next segment covered more complex pop ups which are laid out before cutting and folding. During the third part of the workshop, she demonstrated how to make additive parts that become dimensional when the page is fully open. Additionally, she spoke of the importance of grain direction in making a successful pop-up structure, the use of hinges as design elements, and how to consider the book as a sculptural object. She gave participants detailed diagrams and all of the materials they would need to make the various parallel and angled folds of simple and complex pop ups in their our own studios.
NEBA members, Marie Canaves (left)
and Susan Marsh (right)
Attendees also learned how to make several different single-sheet constructions (one-page) books such as the “Secret Room,” an “Ox-Plow,” and “T” books. These elementary folded and cut pieces are simple versions of “imposition,” how multiple pages of a book can be commercially printed on one sheet, then folded, stitched, glued and trimmed into a signature. Stephanie, a seasoned and very fine teacher, has the patience of a saint and explained every technique, all the supplies and tools thoroughly, and as many times as necessary, so that it would be crystal clear to us.
After a few hours there was a lunch break, at which point Stephanie served her absolutely delicious, piping-hot minestrone soup with some wonderful focaccia made by her husband Chuck. After this much-needed sustenance, they got back to work. The last assignment involved creating an accordion book which incorporated all of the samples made in the workshop. By the end of the day, just how very much the attendants had learned was clearly evident as was their sense of accomplishment.
Marie Canaves’s pieces from Stephanie’s Workshop
A few days later, Marie got a wonderful surprise in the mail. It came in the form of a plain and mysterious, manila envelope. As it turned out, it was from Stephanie, and it included the motherlode of instructions inside: a detailed diagram with how-to instructions as well as a sample of the technique, both of which Stephanie had made for her! This obviously represented a considerable amount of additional time for our venerable teacher, something which made Marie appreciate her all the more.
Stephanie’s workshop was full of great information, wonderful camaraderie, and good cheer. Her expertise, generosity of spirit, patience, and creative abilities are a continuous source of inspiration.