Alisa Golden
never mind the press
As I worked on my first book of poems during my first semester at California College of Arts and Crafts, my teacher, Betsy Davids, suggested that I choose a press name. The book was called never mind the crowd, so it seemed fitting that never mind the press become its imprint. As evidenced by the poetry, I liked wordplay. Choosing never mind the press seemed an offhand way of making something serious and not serious at the same time.
I mixed my writing with the work that I did in other printmaking classes and was very happy merging the writing and the art. Finally, I didn't have to choose one or the other; I could make things and write.
The imprint graduated with me, and I bought my own press in 1987. All of the books are still designed, written, set in type, printed, cut, folded, sewn, glued, signed, numbered, and stored in boxes by me. Setting the words one letter at a time gives me the opportunity to do some editing; on the other hand, I occasionally run out of a letter and have to change a word at the last minute. Each book challenges me in a new way.
In addition to making books, I have taught and continue to teach book structures and printing in the San Francisco Bay area, including CCA, the San Francisco Art Institute, the San Francisco Center for the Book, and Ocean View elementary school. As a result of my teaching experience I wrote Creating Handmade Books, a how-to book; it was published in 1998 by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. I pursued my investigation of interesting book structures and the creative processes of different artists and wrote a second how-to book called Unique Handmade Books (November 2001) A third book, focusing even more on the creative process and specifically linking content to form, followed: Expressive Handmade Books (December 2005). I wrote the fourth book after exploring acrylic inks on paper: Painted Paper: Techniques and Projects for Handmade Books and Cards (January 2008).
I am a former program director and board member of the Pacific Center for the Book Arts.
note: In 2003, CCAC changed its name to CCA, or California College of the Arts.