An MTSU professor will instruct the next generation in the art of pop-up books surrounded by an exhibit full of examples.

Kathleen O’Connell

Kathleen O’Connell, book arts instructor in the MTSU Department of Art, will teach youngsters ages 8-12 and their parents at a free “Make It Pop-up!” hands-on workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27, in the Special Collections area on the fourth floor of the James E. Walker Library.

O’Connell will teach the children and parents how to create a simple, yet surprising pop-up book using sheets of paper and some simple cuts and folds.

The workshop will be held in conjunction with “The Anatomy of Pop-ups: Structure and Design,” a display open in Special Collections through May.

For this exhibit, 31 titles have been pulled out of the library’s collection of more than 400 examples of movable and pop-up books, many of which date to the 19th century.

All materials and tools will be supplied, and there is no cost to participants. Free parking will be available next to the library.

To reserve a slot in the workshop, contact Susan Hanson at 615-904-8503 or Susan.Hanson@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)

This iguana is part of the work in “Trail: Paper Poetry Pop-Up” by David Pelham, one of the books on display at MTSU’s James E. Walker Library.

This close-up of a page from “How to Find Flower Fairies” by Cicely Mary Barker shows some of the intricate work included in children’s pop-up books.