RisoDessert Bar | Printed Matter 2025

Here are some key moments from the RISO Dessert Bar at Printed Matter 2025, held at ArtCenter College of Design. I want to document my experience while the event is still vivid in my mind. (1) The youngest participant in bookbinding that day was likely around 4 years old. We set up a chair so the child could stand and assist with spiral binding. In this digital era, it's heartwarming to see that the younger generation still values the traditional art of bookmaking.

(2) We held four workshops, with the final two open to the entire community. It was wonderful to witness families creating art together. I remember an Asian family who used the risograph for the first time. The mother, father, and son were all highly skilled in image-making. They grasped the concept of the risograph through hands-on experience.

(3) An art director visited to create an image with his daughter, who was experiencing risograph printing for the first time. They experimented with various paper colors and spent time quietly drawing together while enjoying a cookie. I love how art and food are intertwined!

(4) A young man tried bookbinding for the first time. We used last year's misprints to create perfect bound and spiral bound books. He mentioned owning a 1970 edition of a Chinese cookbook, which is no longer in print, and he hopes to digitize it. He expressed a desire for ArtCenter's resources to be accessible to the public.

(5) I am truly thankful to have two outstanding assistants, Wen Everitt and Adam Wachtel, supporting me. Over the past year, they have gained extensive experience with risograph printing. They exceeded expectations by accommodating a large group of participants, most of whom have little to no experience with risograph or bookbinding.

(6) I did a lot of baking to enhance the workshop experience. Since it's a risograph dessert bar, I wanted to provide some snacks for attendees to enjoy and find inspiration to create. I was thankful for Kimberly Velasco, who made some sweet potato pies. I couldn't have prepared all the refreshments alone.

(7) As the fair was wrapping up, both Wen and Adam offered to close up for me so I could explore the event. I'm also grateful to Will for creating a sign indicating the lab was closed. Will's handwritten signs are fantastic, and I definitely want to keep the one he made!

(8) Thank you to everyone who provided support behind the scenes. Ann visited on both days to check in. I met Mickey, her new puppy, for the first time. Dawn also attended the bookbinding workshop and ended up volunteering to help out.

(9) A number of individuals contributed ideas and feedback for this workshop. These include Rob Clayton, Lisa Wagner, Jason Holley, Ann Field, and others.

(10) Finally, I want to thank Printed Matter for effectively utilizing the ArtCenter space. I was concerned about the availability of parking, but they informed me that it was the most parking they have ever had.

I gained significant insights from preparing, executing, and reflecting on our team's activities over the weekend. Everyone collaborated to ensure the book fair's success. We hope that Printed Matter will consider ArtCenter for future events. We have certainly engaged the public who were previously unfamiliar with the risograph and book arts.