Step into the creative energy of JAYU’s studio and get hands-on with the art of decorative stitch bookbinding.

In this workshop, you’ll explore the tactile process of decorative stitch bookbinding by learning the necessary skills, techniques, and tools to bring your ideas to life. Design and craft a unique cover that reflects your personal style! Feel the textures, make each stitch intentional, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something entirely your own.

This is also an opportunity to get a glimpse of our year-round iAM programming, where youth artists develop skills, express themselves, and bring human rights-inspired creativity to life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced maker, this is your space to connect, create, and leave with a one-of-a-kind art piece.

MEET YOUR MENTOR – Jess De Vittoris
Jess (she/they) is a community arts mentor and visual artist based in T’karonto (Treaty 13). With over 10 years in the community arts sector, they’ve led workshops in various mediums—from watercolour and acrylic to bookbinding and digital art—both online and in person. As a queer mixed-race white Latine (Mexican-Italian) artist, Jess is dedicated to anti-oppressive, care-centered practices that challenge scarcity mindsets and create intentional connections within the arts.

JAYU is committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event for everyone. When registering, please mention if you require any accommodations or have any dietary allergies that can impact your time in our space. Light refreshments will be available.

This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners and funders. We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage’s Canadian Arts Presentation Fund and the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program Events Stream for supporting JAYU’s Annual Festival of the Arts.

We also thank the Canada Council for the Arts for supporting this workshop, along with our iAM Core Lead Sponsor TD Bank, and partners including RBC, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Co-operators, Canada Life, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Toronto, and St. George’s Society of Toronto.

A huge thank you to all our supporters for helping us make community programs like this possible!

About JAYU

JAYU is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of equity-deserving youth (ages 16-30) from the GTA. Through both year-round and festival programming, we support and elevate young, emerging artists by offering them professional development opportunities and platforms to showcase their work.

About JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA)

JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) is a five-day celebration of creative expression informed by human rights, equity and social justice. Youth-produced and youth-led, creatives from across the GTA share their art with community and ignite meaningful conversations.