Arts & Entertainment

Joyce Francis Brings Artisan Bookmaking to Northfield

The bookmaker and calligrapher will be teaching a series of classes this spring.

For Northfield artist Joyce Francis, the cover and pages of a book are as important as the words on them. 

That’s because Francis is an artisan bookmaker, crafting vibrant and visually arresting bound books, and she’ll be sharing her techniques with the Northfield community through a series of classes this spring.

Francis became interested in bookmaking 39 years ago, when she learned to make books while training to become an elementary school teacher. After finishing school, she expanded her skill set by taking calligraphy classes while living in Portland.

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“It’s a vehicle for people to be able to express thoughts,” said Francis of her artwork. “It’s just a real personal thing.”

Francis has worked as a children’s art teacher in the past and currently sells a line of cards at the and the Edina Art Center.

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Now, Francis is bringing her artistic skills to the Northfield community.

She recently led a bookmaking session for Circles of Spirit, a local women’s spirituality group to which she belongs. Francis put together a book containing several quotes with which the group was familiar and then made copies of the book, allowing each member to personalize her own copy.

“It was just a really fun, creative project,” said Shelly Steinhoff, a member of Circles of Spirit. “She invites you to fully partake in the creative process.”

Soon the entire Northfield community will have the opportunity to join in the creative process.

In the coming months, Francis will use the funds from a calligraphy scholarship she recently received to teach a series of classes entitled FIND YOUR heART. The classes are intended to encourage self-discovery through art and will include bookmaking, journaling, interpretive painting and personal shrine construction.


MORE ON JOYCE
Check out her exhibit at the
One Stroke at a Time
Wednesday, January 11 through Saturday, February 18
Opening Reception:  Friday, January 13, 7pm-9pm 

For more information about the FIND YOUR heART classes, email handwrittenbyjoyce@gmail.com.

To find out more about Francis, visit her website.


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