Upcoming Courses:
A Mad Hatter's Tea & Painted Pages Party
July 26th, 2026
10am - 2pm
Fable Books + Cafe in Holly Springs, NC
We’ll be painting Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with a special guest, The Vintage Teapot, who will teach a tea segment midway through the lesson!
Fee: $150, includes all materials, tea and light refreshments
Full Day Fore-Edge Painting Workshop: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
October 3rd, 2026
10am - 5pm
Cocoon Gallery in Apex, NC
Full Day Fore-Edge Painting Workshop: Little Women
November 14th, 2026
10am - 5pm
Cocoon Gallery in Apex, NC
PAST COURSES:
Mother’s Day Book Painting Workshop
May 2nd9am - 1pmHilltop Needmore Town Park Community CenterFee: Fuquay Varina Resident $209 / Non-Resident $262
Full Day Fore-Edge Painting Course: Pride & Prejudice
Saturday, May 9th 10am - 5pm
Cocoon Gallery in Apex, NC
REGISTRATION LINK HERE
Cost: $180 including materials
What Students Will Learn
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Intro to history and tradition of fore-edge painting
Explore materials, gather inspiration
Paint on a practice paperback book
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Step by step guidance on design and painting
Begin painting a hardcover book
Explore techniques for layering and details
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Refine details
Seal edges
Leave with a finished, archival quality hand painted book!
About Mandy Howard
Mandy Howard is an award-winning artist and professional fore-edge painter. After over 10 years as a recognized abstract painter with work exhibited in public and private collections across the East Coast, she transitioned her practice to the rare craft of fore-edge painting, creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted books. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Richmond Magazine, and DesignSponge, and she has served as a creative consultant, guest speaker, and panelist for organizations including Google, Square, Michaels Craft Store, and DecoArt; paint manufacturing company. Mandy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University and now runs a thriving fore-edge painting studio, combining historical craftsmanship with clear, beginner friendly instruction. She is passionate about preserving this endangered art form and creating a supportive learning environment where students feel confident and inspired.