North Branch Projects

North Branch Projects is an independently run project space located in Albany Park, Chicago, IL, that serves as a community bookbinding facility. The space provides an outlet for exploring the creative process in a neighborhood where few resources for the arts exist. There are two major components to the space:

The first is an ongoing community binding project that serves as the foundation for all of the work being created. Free to all, these gatherings have participants working on a collaborative hand-made book archive, binding individuals together quite literally in a group workshop setting.

The second is an entrepreneurial venture that funds the majority of the community binding efforts. Various book-making workshops are held in the bindery and custom-made books and related objects are sold in conjunction with the bindery's goals of promoting art to the general public. 

North Branch Projects uses the book arts to expand the creative reach of individuals. Dialogue is encouraged between people in an inclusive setting, making it possible for ideas to have a positive impact in society. The studio community fosters an open approach to sharing work with new audiences and encourages collaboration and integration.