Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.

Praise Moyer

SPACE Preceptor

Artist and maker

Since her days as a fine art student, she has freelanced as an artist and craftsperson, including teaching private art classes, illustration, concept art, graphic design, and making handmade goods. [see full bio...]

All Modules

Introduction to Binding Books by Hand

Lecture-based • Low intensity
Do you love the physical object of a book just as much as the information it contains? Do you smell your books when you get home from the library or the bookstore? Do you like working with your hands to make things? Then this module is for you!

This class is an introduction to the materials, tools, and methods of making books by hand. Whether you're looking to make "junk journals" on a tight budget or want to rebind your favorite tome in leather, you'll find the information you need in this module!

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
Outline 8-Session Structure
Week 1 Session 1: Brief History of Book Binding and Tools Overview
Session 2: Materials and Terms - The Anatomy of a Book
Week 2 Session 3: Text Block Assembly 1 - Glued Binding Options - Perfect Binding and Double Fan Binding
Session 4: Text Block Assembly 2 - Sewn Binding Options - Kettle Stitch, Coptic Binding, and Japanese Stab Binding
Week 3 Session 5: Cover Assembly 1 - How To Make a Softcover - Paperback and Wrap Covers
Session 6: Cover Assembly 2 - How To Make a Hardback - Classic/English Binding and Hollow Back Case Binding
Week 4 Session 7: Cover Decoration and Finishing - Traditional and Modern Methods
Session 8: Overflow, Resources for Further Research, and Final Q & A

Introduction to Watercolor Painting

Lecture-based • Low intensity
Do you love to look at paintings, but aren’t sure how to make them yourself? Do you want to paint, but you don’t have room to store flammable, smelly chemicals like turpentine? Do oil/acrylic canvases and easels take up too much room for you to work in a small space? If you’ve painted watercolor before, have you wondered why they looked washed out or why you get certain unexpected textures in your color mixes? Then this module is for you!

This class is an introduction to the materials, tools, and methods of watercolor painting. Whether you're brand new to making art, a seasoned painter who wants to connect with other makers, or you just want to find out how Tolkien created many of his Middle-earth illustrations, you’ll find a place in this module!

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
Outline 8-Session Structure
Week 1 Session 1: Defining Watercolor – What makes Watercolor different from other art media?
Session 2: Materials and Terms – What you need and where to get it
Week 2 Session 3: Prep – What to do before you start painting
Session 4: Composition – Tips for visually interesting paintings and how to save your whites
Week 3 Session 5: Values – How to get good tone, range, and contrast
Session 6:Color Mixing – Sediments vs. stains and how to make harmonious paintings
Week 4 Session 7: Texture – Tips for interesting textures and brushwork
Session 8: Overflow, Resources for Further Research, and Final Q & A
If you have any questions about the SPACE program, please reach out to [email protected].