By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri‑Cities
RICHLAND, Wash. – A master papermaker will join the Washington State University Tri‑Cities community Oct. 15‑18 to offer workshops and a public lecture in the therapeutic art of hand papermaking. The event is part of the “Peace Paper Project.”
The Peace Paper Project is an international organization of hand papermakers, art therapists, social activists and fine artists. The organization uses hand papermaking across the globe to improve the lives of survivors of trauma and loss through the traditional practice of hand papermaking.
A free lecture by master papermaker Drew Matott is slated for 3‑4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Floyd Atrium. He will address the art of hand papermaking and the goals of the Peace Paper Project.
Matott also will lead several free workshops and sessions with student and campus groups during the week.
Workshops and sessions:
- Veteran students will recycle their old uniforms into paper, 9 a.m.‑3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in the Student Union Building.
- Members of the Dreamers and MEChA clubs will recycle migrant farming clothing and other fabric-based items into paper, 3‑4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in the Student Union Building.
- International students and their cultural learning partners will make paper, 5:30‑6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16.
- The community is invited to bring their own fabric to make paper, 9 a.m.‑7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16‑18, in the Student Union Building.
- Matott also will work with a variety of classes and student groups throughout the four days on the art of traditional hand papermaking and how it’s a therapeutic practice.
“We are very excited to have the Peace Paper Project on campus,, especially as it provides a creative avenue for our students to learn resiliency as they cope with change,” said Jana Kay Lunstad, director of enrollment and campus registrar. “Art has the power to heal. Our hope is that our students will connect with a practice that allows them to share their stories with their families, friends and other individuals dealing with difficult loss and trauma.”
Since 2011, the Peace Paper Project has set up more than 40 collaborating studios worldwide and has made paper with more than 30,000 survivors.
This week’s schedule:
Monday, Oct. 15
- 9 a.m.‑3 p.m., WSU Tri‑Cities and CBC Veteran Students Workshop
- 11‑11:30 a.m., English 101: College Composition (25 students) Classroom Presentation,(CIC 214)
- 3‑4 p.m., DREAMers and MEChA Clubs Workshop, (SUB)
Tuesday, Oct. 16
- 9 a.m.‑7 p.m., Open to Campus Community Workshops, (SUB)
- 9:10‑10 a.m., H_D 205 Freshman Seminar (85 students) Classroom Presentation, (East 266)
- 10‑11 a.m., Anna Hahn and Sherrie Lennox from SARC Workshop, (SUB)
- 1:25‑2:40 p.m., FINE ART 331 Art, Science & Technology (12 students) Workshop, (SUB)
- 3‑4 p.m., Public Lecture Presentation, (Floyd Atrium)
- 5:30‑6:30 p.m., International Students & Community Partners (# TBD) Workshop, (SUB)
Wednesday, Oct. 17
- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Open to Campus Community Workshops, (SUB)
Thursday, Oct. 18
- TBD TRIO Students (# TBD) Workshops, (SUB)
- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Open to Campus Community Workshops, (SUB)
For more information, visit the Peace Paper Project website.
