Telegraph Cove Bookbinding Retreat 2023
sunrise over the Johnstone Strait – photo credit: Corinne Flaws 
humpback lunge feeding – photo credit: Corinne Flaws 
majestic creatures – photo credit: Corinne Flaws 
sea lions never disappoint – photo credit: Corinne Flaws 
photo credit: Corinne Flaws 
Telegraph Cove 2023 participants from Florida, California, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba 
sunset over the Johnstone Strait – photo credit: Corinne Flaws
Malcolm Island Bookbinding Retreat 2022
Malcolm Island Bookbinding Retreat 2019
TESTIMONIALS
“I just attended an awesome bookbinding course by Debra Frances in Telegraph Cove, BC. It was an amazing experience working with driftwood from local beaches sanding it, oiling and then sewing in the signatures using a different (to me) Coptic Stitch binding. I loved every minute of the excellent instruction from Debra along with fun co-students who made the experience joyful. The location ocean scenes, and whale sightings made it all the more exciting. I highly recommend you find out when the next course is planned!” – Nancy Dawes, Courtenay, British Columbia
The Malcolm Island Retreat is so special in its all encompassing experience. The eco dyeing and printing on different papers, bound into scavenged beach finds, the coptic binding technique used to create a book structure which is in itself a unique sculptural object. The sharing of food and conversation with other creative souls, some of whom traveled long distances. Let’s not forget the little sea otters and humpback whales. Thank you Debra, Robin and Sue.
– Gale, Victoria, British Columbia
The retreat was a life-changing experience – to be in the company of serious yet irreverent artists who each brought a unique style and vision to the work. I left feeling refreshed and inspired – not only by the company, but by the beauty of the island.
– Wendy Craig, San Diego, California
If you can possibly make it to the Malcolm Island Retreat, you should sign up right away! I highly recommend it! Last year was a fabulous experience. I would give it a solid 5 stars right across the board. The location, the food, and last but not least the instruction far exceeded my expectations. The instructors were more than generous with their time and expertise. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else. I would love to be there again this year because I know the instructors are busy planning another fabulous retreat. I will miss all the new friends that I am sure will be back. I will be there in spirit while traveling in the Arctic!
– Pauline Braun, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Malcolm Island Retreat is My Happy Place Found myself! It was a fabulous week of driftwood hunting, Canadian forest/beach hiking, whale watching, fresh crab and salmon dinners, wasabi education, eco dying, mono printing and of course BOOK BINDING! Malcolm Island was the perfect setting for a personal and artistic retreat. Learning new art skills from Debra, Sue and Robin while we looked out the Oceanfront Hotel windows to the ocean is almost indescribable. Inspiration was everywhere, and especially in the fabulous group of strangers that became friends by the end of it. I have been on an artistic binge ever since. This retreat awakened a long lost passion for making that had been quelled by the unrelenting structure of “real life”. I hope to return for more skills, more friend making and more artistic wakening. This is my happy place.
– Ayoka Paek, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Thank you to Janet Etter and The North Island Eagle for this lovely article on our 2019 bookbinding retreat.
