Tom McEwan
Tom graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1980 with a degree in Fine Art, before training as a die-sinker and moving into bookbinding, which he started in 2004. He is now Chair of the Society of Bookbinders in Scotland and very well-renowned in his field. Tom has been a trainer in his craft for 15 years and has taught over 500 students in a variety of courses and formats. He has several long-term students, as well as providing shorter courses and support to university students. Tom is a great advocate for the craft, making time to investigate new techniques as well as discover and celebrate old ones. He is frequently invited to travel across the UK to share his skills through workshops, conferences, demonstrations. Bookbinding is becoming increasingly harder to learn, particularly in Scotland where Tom is one of the only trainers of this craft. He goes out of his way to share his techniques with people who are keen to learn and is a fantastic teacher, putting his students at ease and encouraging them to get the most out of their sessions. There are many bookbinders in Scotland who would not be practicing without Tom, and he has had an enormous impact on the craft in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Photograph credits to Stefen Jakubowski and Heritage Crafts.