FOBA North Intensive
Save the Date! June 13-19, 2027
Join us in Fairbanks, Alaska,
Land of the Midnight Sun,
for the Inaugural
Focus on Book Arts North Intensive
Focus on Book Arts (FOBA) is an inspiring, hands-on organization where creativity, craftsmanship, and camaraderie come to life! Whether you’re a seasoned book artist or just starting, FOBA offers a welcoming space to explore the fascinating world of book arts.
In partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Northwoods Book Arts Guild, FOBA has created a new opportunity to gather as a bookmaking community—to immerse ourselves in creating artist books, and to inspire and learn from one another.
Offered in the year between FOBA’s biennial conferences in Oregon, the FOBA North Intensive is designed especially for intermediate to advanced book artists ready to deepen their practice. The program features outstanding instructors offering intensive, hands-on workshops that encourage creative problem-solving, experimentation, and the development of original work.
The Intensive will unfold over seven days in two workshop sessions, with a day in between to rest, explore, and experience Fairbanks during Summer Solstice. Participants will choose one workshop for each session, allowing them to pursue two distinct areas of study while becoming part of a vibrant community of artists and makers.
Classrooms, housing, meals, evening gatherings, and other special events will be centered on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. Beyond the workshops, participants will be invited to take part in the unique activities that make Summer Solstice in Fairbanks such a memorable time of year.
Two Intensive Workshop Sessions
Cost: $475 each, including catered lunches on full workshop days
Session One: June 13–15
Sunday, June 13: 1:30 pm–4:30 pm
Monday, June 14, and Tuesday, June 15: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Session Two: June 17–19
Thursday, June 17: 1:30 pm–4:30 pm
Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19 – 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Registration Will Open January 2027
The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
About FOBA
At FOBA, we’re passionate about sharing the art and craft of bookbinding, printing, decorative paper techniques, papermaking, and more. Our late-June signature event—the FOBA Conference—is a five-day, in-person extravaganza held every two years at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. With more than 200 attendees, expert-led workshops, a bustling Trade Show, an inspiring Faculty-Staff Exhibition, and lively evening events, this conference is a dream destination for anyone who wants to explore all the possibilities of handcrafted books.
But FOBA is more than just a biennial event—it’s a mission-driven, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to making book arts education accessible to all. We strive to ignite public interest in bookmaking, support educators in bringing book arts into classrooms, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all skill levels.
FOBA is about fueling passion, fostering connections, and celebrating the timeless art of handcrafted books. Want to learn more about the conference? Or learn how to become a volunteer? Explore our website, then email us with any questions: conferenceinfo@focusonbookarts.org or volunteers@focusonbookarts.org.