Collaborative Paper Mosaic, "Stained Glass Window"

This workshop will take participants through from scratch papermaking, to adding colors to the paper formation process, to piecing cut paper elements together and constructing a collaborative mosaic or individual art pieces. Using abaca, cotton, and local cattail fibers, participants will learn to form sheet paper from plants via historical methods which began in current-day China almost 2000 years ago. We will mix mineral pigments into the pulp vats and make papers of varied colors. Once the sheets dry, we will cut them into a mix of geometric shapes and each participant will piece and glue together a square per their own composition. These compositions can then be saved as individual art pieces or fastened together to make one, collaborative art piece composed of all the individual pieces together. These mosaics are beautiful to hang in windows. The mineral pigments do not fade in sunlight and the backlighting shows of the texture of the plant fibers as well. Great for take-home art and for community installations. 

6-18 participants

2-4 days, 3-4 hours per day, depending on number of participants and scale of finished artwork. 

Host site must have running water. 

Curriculum focuses on Social emotional learning (SEL), Building collaboration and community skills, and Embodied learning 

Good for:  Schools (age 9+), Youth 18-25, Community groups, Libraries, Assisted living, Veterans

Papermaking Workshop, From Plant Fiber to Paper Sheet

Papermaking is an almost 2000 year old art form! Following these historical traditions, participants will make paper sheets from start to finish including: making plant fibers into paper pulp, mixing a pulp vat, forming sheets with a mould and deckle, and drying sheets flat. Program expansion is available to include learning how to harvest and process local plant fibers to make paper partially or entirely from locally available plants. Program is hands-on and can include an overview of the history of papermaking and craft-specific tools and terminology. At the end each participant will have 1-4 finished sheets of paper ready for however they want to use it next!

1 day, 4 hours. With program expansion, 2 days.

Host site must have running water. Can be taught indoors or outdoors.

Curriculum focuses on  Social emotional learning (SEL, Critical thinking, Embodied learning, Studio Habits of Mind, STEAM

Good for:  Schools (age 6+, program expansion 15+), Youth 18-25, Hospitals and or cancer patients (outpatient or inpatient), Community groups,  Autistic folks, Libraries, Assisted living, Veterans

Paper History and Drawing on Historical Papers

Through a slide show and hands on paper samples made from different plant fibers, participants will learn the history of paper and paper-like materials including amate, tapa, and papyrus, including where in the world these materials are from, how they're made, and how the materials have spread through cultures the world over. After learning about paper history, participants will use historical or modern inks to draw on papers pre-made via the historical methods covered in the history and method lesson. Participants will learn the incredible history and process behind what is now an ordinary material, and leave with a piece of art they made using archival quality, historically accurate materials.

This program can be taught in several 40-75 min sessions or one 2-4 hour session

Curriculum focuses on Critical thinking, Embodied learning, Culturally responsive teaching, Studio Habits of Mind, STEAM
Good for: Schools (all ages), Youth 18-25, Hospitals and or cancer patients (outpatient or inpatient), Community groups, Autistic folks, Libraries, Assisted living, Veterans