From Plants to Paper: Papermaking with Laguna Plants Two-Day workshop with Jane Ingram Allen

This workshop will cover how to make paper from local plant materials found in the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Learn what plants will make paper. During a walk around the native plant landscape at the Laguna Environmental Center, we will identify plants suitable for papermaking and gather dried leaves and bark from trimmed branches or fallen twigs. We will also talk about and experiment with invasive plants that can be used for papermaking. We will cook the plant materials, beat the fibers, and make paper from them. The emphasis will be on creative problem solving and creative use of materials to make unique handmade paper using sustainable methods that do not harm the environment. Pulps that the instructor will bring to supplement the ones gathered in the workshop will also be used in the class, such as kozo and abaca. The instructor will introduce unique techniques that she has developed from her experiences as an artist in residence around the world. Students bring scissors, notebook, and a sheet of cardboard to carry home any wet sheets of homemade paper. All other papermaking supplies will be provided, as well as hot drinks and snacks. Suitable for adults and teens 15 years old and up and all experience levels from novice to experienced papermakers. The handmade papers can be used for drawing, painting, printmaking and collage as well as for creating greeting cards (just in time for the holidays!).

Jane Ingram Allen is originally from Alabama and lived in Taiwan from 2004-2012, and in Santa Rosa since 2012. She is an environmental artist who creates sculpture installations and community public art projects using handmade paper made from local plants and other natural materials. She is also an independent curator and arts writer and has taught art courses at colleges and universities as well as papermaking classes all over the world. Jane has received awards to do artist in residency projects in the USA, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Nepal, Brazil, China, Bali, Indonesia, and Turkey. She exhibits her art internationally, teaches workshops, and creates site-specific public art installations. For more information, visit Jane’s website and her blog.