Lunalux at MCBA’s Book Arts Festival
November 12, 2009 by Jenni · Leave a Comment
We hope to see you at the Book Arts Festival this Saturday at Minnesota Center for Book Arts. MCBA will be brimming with local artisans (including Lunalux) selling bookish wares: letterpress-printed cards, hand-made papers and journals, fine art prints, limited edition artist books, and other beautiful hand-crafted paper-related treasures. Some exhibitors will be demonstrating their crafts, and there will be hands-on activities for the kids too. This is the 8th year for this event, and every year it’s an absolute pleasure to participate. I would be there even if it weren’t my job! It’s also a good opportunity to check out MCBA’s facilities – explore the space, poke around the shop, linger in the gallery, and pick up a class schedule.
If you’re on the Lunalux snail mail list, you should have received a postcard from us recently, announcing the Book Arts Festival along with upcoming Stationery Saturday dates. It’s been a few months since we sent out a mailer, and we’re pretty pleased with how this one turned out. It’s letterpress-printed in blue and cool gray inks, on light gray felt-finish cover. The brick pattern in the background is from a photo I took this summer, while waiting at a bus stop in Uptown. If you’re not on our mailing list but would like to receive postcards from Lunalux in the future, you can use this contact form to send us a message with your street address; we’ll add you to the list for our next mailing.
The 8th Annual Book Arts Festival takes place Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Minnesota Center for Book Arts (1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis), 10a.m.-5p.m. Free, family-friendly and open to all! Bring quarters for the parking meters, just in case the free parking lot is full. You’ll find directions and more information about MCBA on their website at www.mnbookarts.org.
Book Arts Fair at MCBA
November 13, 2008 by Jenni · Leave a Comment
Look for Lunalux at the 7th Annual Book Arts Fair at Minnesota Center for Book Arts this weekend. Dozens of artists and craftspeople will be showcasing and selling their wares – unique books, prints, letterpress-printed stuff, paper objects, and what not. We were part of this event the first few years of its run, but scheduling conflicts have prevented us from being there in recent years, so we are excited to participate again! In the past it’s been an impressive crop of work, and we expect this year to be more of the same. This is a fun opportunity to support local artisans, pick up some gifts and holiday cards (how many shopping days until Christmas?), and learn about the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. We’re looking forward to a change of scenery, and expect to be inspired by all of the creative energy!
Regular Lunalux shoppers will be relieved to learn that our studio store will be open regular hours on Saturday, so you can still visit the shop for greeting cards, fountain pens, journals, holiday cards, calendars, and what not.
The Book Arts Fair takes place at Minnesota Conter for Book Arts on Saturday Nov. 15 (10a.m.-5p.m.) and Sunday Nov. 16 (noon – 4p.m.). MCBA is located at 1011 Washington Avenue South in Minneapolis. Visit the MCBA website for a list of participating artists, and more information about the event.
Letterpress fun around the Twin Cities
August 22, 2008 by Jenni · Leave a Comment
No trip to the Great Minnesota Get-together is complete without a tour of the Minnesota Newspaper Museum (I wrote about last year’s visit over here). Tucked away in the back corner of Heritage Square, itself in the back corner of the vast fair grounds, the museum offers visitors a peek at the past with its fully operational old-school print shop. This year I am proud to be volunteering at the museum. Monday August 25th and Monday September 1st, I’ll be spreading the good letterpress word from 2:30 to 8:00 p.m. I’ve signed up to run their platen press. I hope you’ll stop by to say hello! Hopefully, I’ll be standing near the front door, right where this dude is standing.
As the Minnesota Newspaper Museum celebrates the functional aspects of letterpress printing, a new exhibit at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in downtown Minneapolis explores the cultural significance of letterforms. Face the Nation: How National Identity Shaped Modern Typeface Design, 1900-1960 explores how the desire to reinforce, redefine or transcend national identities influenced typeface design around the world. There’s a small proof press in the gallery, and guests are invited to try their hand at printing – the picture to the left shows both a flyer for the exhibit and the print I made.
The exhibit includes type specimen books, exquisite prints, and artifacts from type design and manufacturing. Of particular interest is the signage, which explains how cultural issues have influenced type design in various countries and cultures. This exhibit is interesting and informative, and highly recommended! While you’re visiting MCBA, be sure to dart across Washington Avenue to visit the new location for CorAzoN, a great shop full of jewelry, clothes, home accessories, original artwork, and paper goods (including Lunalux cards, of course)
The Minnesota Newspaper Museum is located on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. The museum will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., August 21-September 1, 2008. Face the Nation is on display through September 21, 2008. MCBA is located in the Open Book center at 1011 Washington Avenue South. Read more
