Book Arts

Book Arts exists at the intersection of printing, design, image making, wordsmithing, and libraries. From letterpress printing to bookbinding, students learn how to make a book from start to finish. They are simultaneously invited to examine the narrative, sculptural, and temporal possibilities of books in their traditional and contemporary forms.

Montserrat’s Book Arts curriculum is unique. With guidance from their instructors, students create a customized program within Book Arts, selecting electives from virtually every department at the College, and choosing from an array of capstone experiences.

Book Art Facilities

Tucked away in the basement of the Hardie building, our letterpress studio is perhaps the heart of Book Arts activities at Montserrat, being home to our lead type, proof presses, and bookbinding equipment. The papermaking studio, located at 248 Cabot Street, is a place for students to experiment with fiber in two-dimensional and three-dimensional ways.

Other facilities and equipment utilized as students learn how to make a book are found in the Printmaking studios, the Photography + Video + Film studios, and the Sculpture studios. Naturally, our library, computer labs, and Digital Fabrication Studio are equally important resources for Book Arts activity at Montserrat.