Montana Institute for Book Arts
About us
The Montana Institute for Book Arts is a summer program that brings together fine artists, craftspeople, and motivated students from across the country to share their professional knowledge and their love of bookmaking. The two sessions are split between a historic research station on Flathead Lake and the University of Montana’s campus in Missoula. Students will be able to choose from a range of courses, including bookbinding, papermaking, letter carving, and a printing workshop on a 1936 Hacker Test Press, home of Bear Scratch Press.
The Institute supports high quality craftsmanship within a flourishing arts community. Between immersive workshops, there will be opportunities to visit the Montana Museum of Art and Culture, where teachers at the Institute will display their art, readings, wilderness excursions, cozy nights under the stars, and a chance to meet fellow lovers of the printed word.
The University of Montana will be awarding one scholarship to a dedicated UM student, and one scholarship to a Missoula community member. Please email robert.stubblefield@mso.umt.edu for scholarship details.
Sessions
- Session 1 will take place between August 3rd - August 7th, 2026 at the University of Montana in Missoula, under the golden face of Mount Sentinel. Missoula is the cultural hub for western Montana, and its downtown scene and First Friday art walks are just minutes from a vast expanse of wilderness.
- Session 2 will be held from August 10th - August 14th, 2026 at the Flathead Lake Biological Station, a university-owned lodge at Yellow Bay, close to Glacier National Park. The area is famous for its jaw-dropping vistas and Flathead cherries, among other charms.
Class Overviews
Aug 3-7 in Missoula
- Master Printing Workshop with Harry Reese and Jonathan Gerken
- Wood Engraving with Richard Wagener
- Introduction to Bookbinding with Brenda Gallagher
- Lecture on Rare Books from Stephanie Stillo, Library of Congress
- Talk on Curation and teaching by Cristina Favretto, Tropic Bound
- Book Arts Exhibition at Montana Museum of Art and Culture
Aug 10-14 on Flathead Lake
- Papermaking with Amanda Degener
- Letter Carving in Stone with Christopher Stinehour
- Innovative Book Structures with Emily Martin
- Lecture from Richard Wagener on naturalist depiction in books
- Lecture from Peter Koch and Debra Earling on art and collaboration
*Note, there will be a maximum of ten students per workshop.*
Lay of the Land
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It's easy to fly in and out Missoula. Find flights through Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Sun County, or United Airlines. Follow this link to find a flight from your region.
Our new airport also has great local food and rental car services. You won't need a car to enjoy our program, but you may want one to explore the area on your own time.
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Missoula
Missoula is a bustling town at the meeting of five rivers, and at the edge of multiple wilderness areas. This land is the home of the Salish and Kalispell people. The name Missoula derived from the Salish placename Nmesulétkw, which means “the place of freezing water”. This name has been used since the existence of Glacial Lake Missoula, and dates to the last ice age. You can still see traces of the great glacial lake on the mountains above campus. The first settlers to arrive here borrowed and modified this name to become Missoula. Later, Salish people began using an additional term for Missoula: Nłʔáyčstm, which means “place of the small bull trout.”
Missoula has great bars, restaurants, art galleries, and a thriving music scene. Check out this link to Missoula Events to see what's going on in town. Missoula also is the access point to hundreds of miles of wild lands and rivers. A favorite pastime during the summer is to float through town on the Clark Fork River.
University of Montana
UM's beautiful campus sits just across the river from downtown, and it dates back to 1895. It is Montana's flagship liberal arts university, and home of the Griz. The Creative Writing department is nationally recognized for its influence in American literature, and Richard Hugo, James Welch, and Debra Earling have all passed through its halls.
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Hotel Courtesy Blocks
We have arranged hotel blocks with the University Comfort Inn and Suites and the Downtown Holiday Inn. Follow these links to book before they fill up!
Holiday Inn
Scan QR Code Below
Or click here to be directed to the Holiday Inn's website.
We also have a courtesy block at the University Comfort Inn. Click this link to book with the Comfort Inn.
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MIBA will arrange a group shuttle to bring attendees from Missoula to Flathead Lake and back. If you fly into another airport or plan on renting car, you will be responsible for transporting yourself.
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Flathead Lake Biological Station
Established in 1899, Flathead Lake Biological Station is an 80-acre campus on the east shore of Yellow Bay on Flathead lake, just south of Glacier National Park. The station serves as the “Sentinel of the Lake” and has been rigorously monitoring the water quality of Flathead Lake since the 1970s. FLBS scientists conduct world-class and world-renowned ecological studies, which are regularly published in top scientific journals. We will be sharing the space with a number of environmental researchers, so please be respectful of their important work. This is a link to their campus map and lodging information.
MIBA will have access to student and staff cabins, the lodge, and two main halls. Meals will be catered, but you can buy your favorite snacks in Missoula and keep them in a small shared kitchen onsite. This is a remote campus, and if you do not plan on renting a car, you will have very limited access to towns or supplies. We will arrange shuttles to take people to and from Missoula.
Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions or other needs.
