Arts @ Wells College

Peace Paper Project Workshop: Global Papermaking and Social Justice

Peace Paper returns to Wells College for a week-long series of workshops and lectures on the history of papermaking and the role of Peace Paper Project in the renaissance of global papermaking.
Since the invention of paper by the Chinese two thousand years ago, papermaking has traversed the globe, with each culture adapting it’s different fibers, tools and techniques. The 19th-century industrialization of papermaking processes pulping trees, almost completely eradicated the varied and unique processes that existed across the globe. The 21rst-century marks a new era for papermaking: the portable, pedal powered papermaking studio.

Peace Paper Project has used the new portable model to help bring traditional and contemporary practices back to communities, specifically designing community-based papermaking studios that use the paper arts for healing and community empowerment. Since 2011, Peace Peace has helped launch 33 studios across the globe; in Australia, India, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Spain, UK and throughout the USA.

Peace Paper Project returns from it’s latest international tour, establishing studios in Ukraine for soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress and Germany for Syrian immigrants. The team will demonstrate a variety of traditional papermaking practices around the world, while discussing cultural, economic and environmental reasons for the different practices.

Students are invited to make paper as it was made; from its Chinese inception from hemp netting and mulberry bark; as it traveled east to Japan using mulberry bark; in the Nepalese tradition using Daphne fiber, the Islamic tradition using linen and hemp rags, the European and early America tradition using cotton rags

In-between hands-on demonstrations of paper-making outside of Morgan Hall , daily lectures will be presented on the history of papermaking and the role of Peace Paper Project in the renaissance of global papermaking. Specifically Drew & Jana will discuss the use of the portable paper studio in developing programs: for orphans in Turkey, ex-combatants and survivors of the sex trade in Ukraine,survivors of Soviet occupation in Poland and Syrian refugees in Germany.

Monday, Sept 5: 10– 4pm
Papermaking Studio: Demonstrating the earliest papermaking recipe: hemp netting and mulberry bark. Demonstrating hand beating fiber, pouring sheets of paper and the flexible mould.
1 pm lecture (Zabriskie Hall): The invention of papermaking

Tuesday, Sept 6: 10 – 4pm
Papermaking Studio: Papermaking travels East: Demonstrating Japanse Papermaking. Using Gampi & Kozo fibers in the eastern tradition.
1 pm lecture (Zabriskie Hall): Papermaking follows religion east

Wednesday, Sept 7: 10 – 4pm
Papermaking Studio: Traditional Islamic Papermaking (hemp & linen rags on laid mould, spur dried, external sized and hand burnished)
1 pm lecture (Zabriskie Hall): Paper in the Islamic world

Thursday, Sept 8: 10 – 4pm
Papermaking Studio: European & Early American Papermaking. Cotton, linen rags, internal sizing, restraint drier.|
1 pm lecture (Zabriskie Hall): The Guttenburg Press, western papermaking and the Hollander beater.

Friday, Sept 9: 10 – 4pm:
Papermaking Studio: Peace Paper Project and 21st Century Papermaking; students are invited to use the pedal powered hollander beater and pulp printing techniques to make personal paper art from underwear, military uniforms, flags, currencies, refugee clothing and Wells College.
1 pm lecture (Zabriskie Hall): The Peace Paper Project and Global Papermaking

About Peace Paper: Peace Paper Project utilizes traditional hand papermaking as a means of engaging communities in art practices which bring people together, broadcast their stories, and transform their fibers into meaningful art pieces. The project operates everywhere from private workshops to public demonstrations in order to perpetuate the art of hand papermaking while adapting to the needs of each specific community. Peace Paper merges its skill set of papermaking, bookbinding, printmaking, and creative writing with the unique practices and concepts of host communities as a way of empowering our collaboration.The project is based out of art studios, universities, and civic centers across the globe. Peace Paper utilizes local creative resources as a means of building connections between participants and their communities. These connections promote sustained artistic expression as well as an enduring sense of personal power for the individuals we work with. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.peacepaperproject.org

About the Peace Paper Facilitators:
About Drew Matott:
Drew Matott is a Master Papermaker with an expertise using traditional papermaking as a form of trauma therapy, social engagement, and community activism. He directs the vision and strategy of Peace Paper Project across the globe.
About Jana Schumacher:
Jana Schumacher graduated from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and is a fine artist based out of Hamburg, Germany. She joined the Peace Paper team in 2016 and directs St. Pauli Paper, where she uses papermaking in her own work, as well as conducts workshops for artists and different healing populations, with a special focus on developing programs for Syrian immigrants.