Reimagining Illumination is a series of workshops designed to interrogate and expand the concept of illumination (i.e., the use of light) in books and manuscripts.
How can we use light to make our books beautiful, interesting, fun, or informative? Through a series of workshops, scheduled over the 2025-2026 academic year, we will investigate this question. Over the course of the year we'll look at books from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts, and we'll make some of our own. The series will culminate in an open exhibition with manuscripts and books viewed under candlelight, and featuring our creations, too.
Register for one, or register for them all! Everyone is welcome, but seats are limited.
The workshops will all be held in the Vitale II Lab for Digital Humanities and Book History (Van Pelt 623, in the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts).
On Tuesday, September 16, Schoenberg Curator of Manuscripts Nick Herman will talk about the practice of illumination in premodern manuscripts, showing us a variety of manuscripts from Penn's collections.
On Tuesday, October 21, SIMS Curator for Digital Humanities Dot Porter and Program Coordinator of Technology and Play Christine Kemp will lead a workshop where we will make our own illuminated initials on parchment using gold leaf and paint.
On Tuesday, November 11, Program Coordinator of Technology and Play Christine Kemp and SIMS Curator for Digital Humanities Dot Porter and will lead a workshop where we will investigate the playfulness of manuscript illumination through hands-on making, including stickers, buttons, and plushies.
