No Strings on Me: Marionette Making

Create a dynamic sense of wall power by pushing two-dimensional painting onto three-dimensional surfaces. Incorporate physical elements, painting on a variety of substrates and collage to develop a sense of physicality, space, and texture. Painters and sculptors alike are invited to delve into the painterly world of stepping outside of the rectangular picture plane to incorporate found objects and alternative painting surfaces while maintaining painting as the primary medium. Lectures include an exploration of artists who make sculptural paintings, and discussion centers on how a painting changes when the focus shifts to painting as object.

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, we dive into the process of reconstituting, blending, dying, and casting sheets with a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper is characterized by long fibers with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. We mold the wet sheets onto objects from home, around the studio, or in the environment. Sewing and gluing aid in combining dried paper objects into small-scale sculptural creations.

This immersive workshop invites participants to delve into the art of handmade papermaking and the alternative photographic process of cyanotype. Participants explore the natural world as a source of both materials and inspiration, emphasizing the inherently place-based nature of these techniques. The first part of the workshop focuses on collecting and processing local plant materials, including invasive species, to create handmade paper. Participants learn essential papermaking techniques, such as fiber preparation, pulping, sheet formation, and drying, while discovering which plants are best suited for papermaking. In the second phase, participants investigate photographic imagery through the lens of place and connection. Using cyanotype—a historic photographic process known for its vivid blue tones—participants design image-based compositions that integrate seamlessly with their handmade paper. By merging organic materials with photographic imagery, the workshop creates a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of craft, nature, and storytelling. Ideal for artists and creatives interested in sustainable practices, alternative photography, and the expressive potential of handmade paper, this workshop fosters innovation and a deep appreciation for place-based artmaking.