For several years I have offered workshops through schools and community education programs and on an individual basis in Canada. The workshops include an overview of the history of papermaking; a hands-on introduction to papermaking; and an opportunity to explore practical uses of paper in collage, art cards and three dimensional design.
I offered full day Papermaking Workshops at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Annual Children's Festival held in September of each year. I was invited to participate in this event until its discontinuation, and the response was always enthusiastic!
I presented the Introductory Workshop at a variety of schools in London, England, including the Sir John Cass Secondary School in Stepney Green by arrangement with the Bowarts Trust, the Lavender Primary School in Enfield, the Salisbury Secondary Summer Art School in Edmonton sponsored by the University of the First Age, the Galliard Primary School in Edmonton and the Westgrove Primary School in Southgate. The workshop is set up to be adaptable for students from the Foundation (Primary) Stage through to the Secondary School level and for adults.
Feedback from students and teachers at these schools was positive and enthusiastic. Teachers linked the workshop to the UK National Curriculum and identified skills and knowledge developed by the students.
" This is a lovely workshop where children are introduced to the many possibilities of papermaking through an interesting and informative talk followed by hands-on experience. It was pitched at exactly the right level for the children."
"It is useful for considering properties, uses, and changes of material; knowledge of paper manufacture and use; and knowledge of recycling. It is a way into thinking about creative uses of paper."
Students have expressed enthusiasm and interest in the process of papermaking.
"It was extremely interesting and allowed us to learn a new skill as well as helping us develop our knowledge of art."
"The most beneficial was when we started making pulp and how we were guided through the lesson."
