Sylvia Ramos Alotta began her classical training in drawing and painting at age of eight. After receiving a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, started as anAutomotive Interior Designer for General Motors in Detroit. In 1995, Sylvia was awarded a U.S. Design Patent for a unique journal system [UNDERAPS] and began a lifelong interest in hand bookbinding. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts in Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Her graduate school sketchbook on various bookbinding structures was published as The Exquisite Notes.  In 2017 she was awarded The Jewish Book Arts Award by the Isaac Anolic Foundation.