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In this one-day workshop, explore the many possibilities of paper mulberry, a strong fiber that is used primarily in East Asian papermaking.

In this one-day papermaking workshop at the Fibershed Learning Center, we will explore the many possibilities of paper mulberry (Japanese: Kozo; Korean: dak), a strong fiber that is used primarily in East Asian papermaking. The Fibershed Learning Center is located on Black Mountain Ranch near Point Reyes Station, CA.

In the morning, we will work with raw fiber in various states and learn how to process it for papermaking. We’ll scrape, beat, and cook fiber, and then prepare our vats to make paper. We will also prepare natural formation aid, which is added to the vat during sheetforming.

During lunch/in the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to forage for organic materials on Fibershed grounds to use as inclusions in their paper. In the afternoon, students will learn two methods of sheetforming using a variety of Japanese sugetas (papermaking screen and frame) and deckle boxes.

After the paper is pressed, we will discuss various ways to dry sheets as well as sculptural possibilities to create dimensional forms and textures with wet sheets and pulp. Students will also learn how to work with kozo to make bark lace and bark thread.

Students will go home with wet sheets and will be instructed on how to dry their paper at home. The instructor will bring an array of samples of books, papers, sculptural works, and artifacts made with/on kozo. Paper made by the instructor will also be available for sale during/after the workshop.

Please note that this is an introductory, communal, process-based class, and that we will be sharing space, tools, and equipment. This workshop is best suited for those who like to get their hands (and sometimes feet!) wet, and who want a very hands-on introduction to papermaking and/or a raw papermaking fiber.

Participants should bring:

• any personal lunch, snacks, and beverages
• please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet/pulpy, and/or bring an apron.
• optional: materials to include in your paper such as photographs, papers, organic materials, textiles, thread, wire, etc.

Maximum 12 students.

Instructor bio:

Steph Rue is an artist working primarily with handmade paper and books as her medium. She is a 2023 Living Cultures Grant Recipient through the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and a 2023 Individual Artist Fellow through the California Arts Council. After receiving her MFA degree from the University of Iowa Center for the Book, she studied traditional Korean bookbinding, papermaking, and printing in South Korea through a Fulbright Research Grant in 2015-2016. Her artist books and paper works are held in a number of public and private collections, including Yale University, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Library, and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Steph is a co-founder of the Korean American Artist Collective and a member of the Book/Print Artist/Scholar of Color Collective. She is also a co-founder of Hanji Edition, a publisher of fine art and print works with/on hanji (Korean handmade paper). Steph teaches workshops and classes on papermaking, bookmaking, and related arts, with an emphasis on East Asian techniques, and has taught at Mills College, Penland School of Craft, and the San Francisco Center for the Book. Steph lives, works, and teaches out of her home studio in Sacramento, CA.
Learn more at stephrue.com or follow on Instagram @sjrue

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Fibershed Scholarship Program

Fibershed is offering one scholarship per workshop. If you would not otherwise be able to attend, and would like to be considered as a scholarship recipient, please answer a few brief questions on our Scholarship Application. Responses will be reviewed by Learning Center staff and kept strictly confidential.

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Cancellation Policy: Refunds (minus Eventbrite fees) are available up to 7 days before the event. If you cancel after 7 days before the event, we are unable to provide refunds unless we can fill your space from the waitlist (please note that this is uncommon). If someone is waitlisted and is able to purchase your space, we will refund your ticket, minus the Eventbrite fees. Otherwise, there will be no refunds. You are also welcome to transfer your ticket to someone who wishes to purchase it directly from you.

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There is livestock onsite, so we ask that visitors please keep their pets at home. Service dogs are permitted.