Altered Book Workshop with Sarah Upson at the Mark Twain Library
Ever wonder what magic hides inside an old loved book? In this hands-on altered book workshop, you’ll transform a discarded book into a one-of-a-kind piece of upcycled art using collage, paint, stamping, cutting, folding, drawing, and more. No experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to play. Let’s fold, rip, glue, paint, explore, and give new life to forgotten pages, leaving with a unique, meaningful book that tells your story.
All materials are provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own book to work on, or choose from our selection of beautifully worn, ready-to-be-reimagined books. You may also bring personal treasures, scraps, photos, or keepsakes to weave into your pages, making your creation truly your own.
About the instructor:
Sarah Tuttle Upson, a Redding resident, attended Alfred University School of Art and Design in NewYork, earning a BFA in both photography and painting. She continued her art education at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, where she completed an MFA in Photography. She began teaching studio art at the high school level at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., followed by Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY. She has also taught various levels of adult photography classes at the Silvermine Art Center. She currently teaches and runs Art workshops throughout the year for all ages.
As a mother, educator, and artist, Upson brings a distinctive vision to the world, one that manifests in her photographs, paintings, and collage pieces.Sustainability is important to her as she uses upcycled materials to create new work, diverting objects from the landfill and giving them renewed purpose.Her work encourages viewers to reflect, imagine, and see with fresh eyes, offering a timeless, multidimensional perspective on the world around us.
