Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $240

This is an in-person workshop. As of January 2023, masks are strongly encouraged but not required unless otherwise indicated. 

In this introductory workshop, we will explore the many possibilities of paper mulberry (Japanese: kozo; Korean: dak), a strong fiber that is used primarily in East Asian papermaking.

In the morning, students will learn basic sheetforming, and have the option to form sheets using Western moulds and deckles or Japanese sugetas. In the afternoon after the paper is pressed, we will experiment with our damp sheets to create dimensional forms and textures. Students will also learn how to work with kozo to make bark lace and bark thread, and learn methods for creating sculptural forms out of pulp.

Please note that this is an introductory, experimental class; there is no guarantee of a finished product by the end of the day. This workshop is best suited for those who want to experiment with new techniques for future work, 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.

Students will go home with wet paper and sculptures or have the option of picking up paper/sculptures the following day, after they've dried. Items will not be shipped.

>> Prerequisite: None. No previous papermaking experience is required. <<

Materials to Bring: None. All tools and materials will be provided, but please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting wet/pulpy.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 26, 2023 :: 9am-4pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

NOTE: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. 
 

About the Instructor | Steph Rue (she/her)

Steph Rue is an artist working primarily with handmade paper and books as her medium. She received her MFA degree from the University of Iowa Center for the Book and BA degree from Stanford University. She is a 2015-2016 recipient of a Fulbright Research Grant to South Korea, where she studied traditional Korean bookbinding, papermaking, and printing. 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. Steph teaches workshops and classes on papermaking, bookmaking, and related arts, with an emphasis on East Asian techniques. Her current project, supported by an NEA grant through the City of Sacramento, is to collect stories of immigration from Asian communities through the study of papermaking and natural dyes. Steph lives and works out of her home studio in Sacramento, CA. 

Past Student Reviews:

“Steph is a wonderful teacher and deeply committed to her craft. Please thank her for sharing her passion and knowledge with us.”

“Steph balances traditional techniques with her own perspective derived from her practice, and clearly communicates the difference between the two. She is an exceptional ambassador of Korean book/paper expertise. She's a great teacher!”