ACE CREATIVE LAB
Adult Workshop
We invite you to five creative evenings where you’ll create your own book.
The book can be exactly what you want it to be. A family photo album, a cookbook of your grandmother’s recipes, a collection of poetry, a book for your child, or perhaps simply an idea you’ve long wanted to turn into a real book.
Together, we’ll learn how to plan the book’s structure, lay out the pages, and create text, illustrations, collages, or a photo layout. We’ll also explore the basic principles of book layout and design.
We’ll focus most of our attention on bookbinding, we’ll try out several different binding techniques, and you’ll be able to choose the one you like best for your book.
You don’t need to be an artist or have any experience in bookmaking. Just come with an idea, and we’ll work together to bring it to life.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
This workshop is for anyone who wants to slow down, try something new, and create a book with their own hands.
Over the course of 5 sessions, we’ll go through the entire book-making process together.
Workshop Dates
October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Thursdays 18:30–20:00
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Price: 180 €.
Duration: One session 90 min.
Location: Keramikų g. 2, Dvarčionys, Vilnius
Meals: Coffee, tea and a place to warm your own food are available.
PROGRAMME
Workshop 1 – Book Concept and Outline
We’ll start with the idea: what kind of book do you want to create?
Together, we’ll map out the book’s structure, plan the pages, and begin our first sketches and notes. If the book will include text, we’ll start writing and editing it.
Workshop 2 – Images, Text, and Collage
We’ll create the elements that will appear in our book: illustrations, collages, text, or photo compositions. We’ll experiment with different ways to arrange images and text on the page so that the book has a cohesive mood and its own character.
Workshop 3 – Book Layout
We’ll put together the final look of the book and focus on layout and design. We’ll introduce you to Adobe software and teach you how to arrange text, photos, and illustrations, and prepare the pages before moving on to binding.
Workshop 4 – Book Cover
In this session, we’ll focus on the book cover. We’ll choose colors, materials, and various details, consider its design, and create the cover by hand to complete and complement our book.
Workshop 5 – Book Binding
During the final session, we’ll learn how to bind our book. We’ll try out different binding methods and choose the one that works best for our book. Then we’ll assemble all the pages and the cover to complete our book.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
This workshop is for those who want to take a break from their daily routine, clear their minds of the constant stream of thoughts, pick up a piece of paper, a pencil, or some paint, and simply create.
We welcome both experienced artists and those who say, “I can’t draw at all.” No experience is necessary, because together we’ll try out different techniques, experiment, and allow ourselves to create without pressure.
ORGANIZERS
Gabija Gasiunas
ACE book author, illustrator & publisher
After completing her Master’s degree at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Gabija founded her own successful independent publishing house and created the bilingual ACE book series. For Gabija, creativity is more than just a job — it’s a way of life.
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During the camp, she’ll open the doors to the world behind the books: how an idea becomes a sketch, how a sketch turns into an illustration, and how illustrations come together to become a real book. She’ll teach children not only the theory and practice of illustration, but also how to confidently express themselves through creativity.
Gabija might even find it easier to connect with children than adults. She speaks their language, encourages their wildest ideas, and knows how to spark that creative fire in every child.
Joana Monastyreckienė
Creative mentor
Creator, event organiser, mum, and someone who simply has a way with children. Joana is constantly involved in creative projects — writing, filming, organising — and brings that same energy and enthusiasm to the camp.
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During the camp, Joana helps children discover that writing doesn’t have to feel like hard work or a school assignment. It’s a space to experiment, laugh, play, and surprise yourself. In her sessions, the group quickly comes alive, the energy rises, and stories begin to flow naturally.
Joana also shares relaxation techniques that help children let go, feel more confident, and create without being afraid of making mistakes — because the best stories often appear when you simply give yourself permission to play with words.
Space is limited—there are only 10 spots in the workshop.
Don’t miss this chance to take some time for yourself and your creativity.
Sign up now, and see you at ACE Creative Lab!