Watch for the upcoming World Washi Summit!

We offer just a few workshops this winter so that we can focus on our plans for the exciting World Washi Summit which will take place in Toronto from June 7-15 2008. The excitement is mounting daily as the exhibitions, workshops and special event list grow. You can now follow the growth of the Summit and learn about the participants in our new Summit blog, or simply sign up to receive the final schedule.

But I digress. Until then we have some inspirational and practical offerings – our usual combo. To inspire you, two prominent Toronto artists, Barbara Balfour and Susan Low-Beer will talk about their work with washi. One new workshop this term will be Paper Mosaics taught by Nancy Zboch who has been making mosaics from varied materials, including washi, for years. We can hardly wait to prepare for this one, pulling out our extensive assortment of solid colour dyed handmade kozo sheets which sadly do not get much airing these days.

Whether you are a Torontonian and a regular at the JPP workshops or a washi lover from far away, we hope you’ll join us in June for one – or several – of our very special workshops during the Summit, offered by our top instructors and others from around the world who will bring their special ways of working with washi to Toronto. Let us know if you need help in finding a place to stay, but join us if you possibly can to celebrate washi with some of the special people who make, use and show it! Toronto, by the way, is heavenly in June…….

Just added: by popular demand we are offering David Hu's paper mounting workshop again on Wednesday March 3rd from 2 to 5 PM.

View listings for:

Accordion Variations         $110 + 5.50 gst
with Reg Beatty
Sunday February 10, 10 am – 5 pm

We have often been asked for large format papers by people who wish to make fairly long accordion-fold books out of a single sheet. Since there are limited paper choices in large sizes, and thinner papers that come in rolls don’t necessarily work well, that’s hard to do. Today professional bookbinder Reg Beatty will teach you how to make a few accordion variations, including long forms, in spite of the paper size. The technique involves joining multiple smaller pages in a way that allows writing/drawing on both sides or inserting photos or other memorabilia between the double layers.

Washi Star Talk with Barbara Balfour
Wednesday February 20, 6:45 – 8:30 pm       No charge

We have known Barbara and admired her thought-provoking and innovatively structured work for a long time.

Washi has been a constant in Barbara’s art production since the beginning of The Japanese Paper Place in 1982! She works primarily in print media, print installation and artist’s multiples and her work has been exhibited widely in Canada, USA, and France. As well, her years of teaching at York University have inspired countless others. Join the inspired by coming to another fascinating Washi Star evening – with Barbara Balfour.

Paper Mosaics         
with Nancy Zboch
Saturday February 23, 10 am – 4 pm             $90 + 4.50 gst

Here is an opportunity to play with a myriad of beautiful Japanese papers using an approach of another age-old medium – mosaics.  You will learn three different mosaic design techniques and apply them to paper – the resulting triptych is a journey of exploration that celebrates paper styles, patterns and color.

The first panel is a random technique that challenges your ability to let go of controlling the pattern process. The second panel links with the first and incorporates scale variation. The third panel continues the conversation but focuses on manipulation of surface via mixed media. The finished 3 panels present a conversation between paper qualities as they interact with each other.

Please bring some bits of things that appeal – a button, branch, wire, mesh beads etc., to play with.

Nancy Zboch is a visual artist who works with glass, paper, metal & paint on wood to create assemblages.

Paper Mounting: how to back a thin sheet   
with David Hu
Wednesday February 27, 6:30 – 9:30 pm       $50 + 2.50gst

An important workshop if you are using Japanese paper and wanting to adhere it to another sheet – smoothly – to make it thicker and more suitable for framing and handling. Shanghai-born David works miracles with paste, water and paper. Bring one or two pieces of work on kozo, gampi or mitsumata, watch David go, and learn how to layer papers for any use large or small.

Lamp or Lampshade
with Peter Jones
Saturday March 1, 10 am sharp – 5 pm     $110  + 5.50 gst

Keep the design fairly simple and small to focus on the skills necessary to build a wire frame with soldered joints and cover it with translucent handmade Japanese paper. The frame could become a lampshade for an existing lamp or hanging bulb. Or you could wire it up as a sitting or hanging lamp. Or you could simply aim to create an airy hanging sculptural piece for that empty space in your room.

Maximum size for this course is 8, so book early!

Just added! Paper Mounting: how to back a thin sheet   
with David Hu
Monday March 3, 2:00 – 5:00 pm       $50 + 2.50gst

An important workshop if you are using Japanese paper and wanting to adhere it to another sheet – smoothly – to make it thicker and more suitable for framing and handling. Shanghai-born David works miracles with paste, water and paper. Bring one or two pieces of work on kozo, gampi or mitsumata, watch David go, and learn how to layer papers for any use large or small.

Washi Star Talk with Susan Low-Beer
Tuesday March 18, 6:45 – 8:30 pm          No charge

This evening, we look forward to a talk by Susan Low-Beer who many know for her strong sculptural work which won her the Bronfman Award several years ago. Her combination of curiosity and a near obsession for exploration led her to washi at some point. The resulting drawing/painting/printing on various weights of washi, mixed with clay figures has enthralled all who have seen it.

 “I am an artist that likes the challenge of putting a variety of different materials together. I am excited by the pairing of unlikely partners: clay and steel, found objects and washi, thick and thin, washi and clay, heavy and light. I would like to talk about these relationships in my work, why I first started using Japanese paper and how it has now become part of my vocabulary.”   
    Susan Low-Beer

TO REGISTER FOR ALL THIS FUN:

• Unless noted, all materials supplied at no extra charge. For all workshops, we suggest you bring (if you have them) your own basic 'paper tool' kit: bone folder, scissors, exacto knife, pencil, metal ruler, notebook.
• Payment is required upon registration for all workshops to guarantee a space.
• Withdrawal allowed up to three days before the workshop, subject to a 15% administration fee.  NO REFUNDS AFTER THAT TIME.