Papermaking – Spring Concentration
March 2 – April 25, 2025 (8 Weeks)

Jo Stealey
Exploring Paper as Sculpture

Create small-scale objects or large-scale installations using handmade paper. The workshop will begin with fiber processing for paper pulp, including methods for beating fibers to create specific qualities in the paper: opaque/translucent, low or high shrinkage, thick/thin, delicate/strong, etc. Then we will cover sheet forming, pigmenting pulp, pulp painting, collage, stencils, casting into found molds and cloth molds, joining cast elements, armatures, draping, and other approaches to developing 3-D forms. After three weeks of experimentation, students will use their preferred techniques to create a new body of work. The focus will be on artistic concepts and personal vision for the materials. All levels. 

Studio artist; professor emerita of fibers at University of Missouri-Columbia; solo exhibitions: Windgate Gallery (AR), Cedarhurst Museum (IL), Havana Biennial (Cuba); collections: National Portrait Gallery (DC), University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Lamar Museum (FL), Sioux City Art Center (IA), Spring Art Museum (MO); co-curator and catalog author for the traveling exhibition Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America. 

jostealey.com | @jostealey.art

Regular enrollment begins November 15.

Books – Spring Short Session
April 27 – May 2, 2025 (4 studio days)

Reina Takahashi
Paper Potluck

Students in this workshop will learn basic paper sculpture techniques with an emphasis on creating texture and dimension. Through demonstrations and hands-on instruction, we will cover methods for hand-cutting, curving, creasing, gluing, and creating dimensional forms. Students will have time to experiment and to create a paper food item of their own. By the end of the workshop, we will have created a paper potluck. Students should be comfortable working with an X-Acto knife as all cutting will be done by hand. All levels. Books studio.

Paper artist primarily working with commercial illustration and design clients; teaching: Kala Art Institute (CA), Stanford University (CA); Communication Arts Illustration Shortlist, Bronze Telly Award; Penland Winter Residency participant; exhibitions: Heron Arts (San Francisco), Chicago Museum of Design, Society of Illustrators (New York); client list includes The New York Times, Wired, Adobe, Google, and Target.

reinasaur.com | @reinasaur

Regular enrollment begins November 15.

BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 1
May 25-30, 2025 (4 STUDIO DAYS)
Alisa Banks
Adventure Travelog

A travelog is a record of a travel experience that can also make a great souvenir. In this workshop, students will bind a pamphlet-style travelog including a handmade, foldout map and pockets. Students are encouraged to bring any ephemera, notes, maps, and images from previous travel, or they can opt to focus on a microadventure on the Penland campus. Microadventures are short travel experiences of nearby places and are a good way to learn more deeply about our surroundings. After making notes of their experiences and interactions, students will carve stamps out of Speedy Carve, and are welcome to share them with the class in order to create a unique map of their experience. No drawing experience is required to make the stamps or the map. Writing prompts will aid in the development of text, and we will also cover low-tech printmaking techniques such as rubbings and plant pounding. Bring a sense of adventure and an openness to observation. All levels. Books studio.

Studio artist; teaching: National Museum of Women for the Arts (DC), Minnesota Center for Book Arts,  Women’s Studio Workshop (NY); collections: Library of Congress (DC), Smithsonian Institution (DC), The British Library (UK), Smith College (MA), Baylor University (TX), Vanderbilt University (TN), Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (WA).

alisabanks.com | @abanksart

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING – SUMMER SESSION 1
MAY 25-30, 2025 (4 STUDIO DAYS)
Jocmarys Viruet Feliciano
Papel Como Auto-Expresión: Paper as Self-Expression

This will be a bilingual—Spanish/English—papermaking workshop focused on creating a range of materials and paper surfaces using various papermaking processes and techniques. The goal is to create a material library to inspire ideas and support future papermaking projects. The workshop will include beginning Western-style sheet forming, drying, and pressing as well as fiber manipulation during the wet stage. We will explore and combine fibers like cotton, flax, and abaca, and there will be a demonstration of the Korean joomchi technique. There will be daily demonstrations and explanations of techniques, materials, and equipment along with time for experimentation and play. Introductory level. Papermaking studio.

Studio artist, bookbinder, papermaker, educator; teaching: Arrowmont (TN), Lapaduma (PR), MUSA (PR), University of Iowa; recent exhibitions: La Lineal, Río Piedras (PR); awards: 8th Collegiate Paper Art Triennial Viewer’s Choice, The Iowa Art Fellowship, Global Korea Scholarship; collections: University of Michigan, Stanford University (CA), Yale University (CT), University of Miami, University of Pennsylvania. 

jocmarysviruetfeliciano.com | @joko_viruet

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

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FABRICACIÓN DE PAPEL – SESIÓN DE VERANO 1
25-30 DE MAYO DE 2025 (4 DÍAS DE ESTUDIO)
Jocmarys Viruet Feliciano
Papel Como Auto-Expresión: Paper as Self-Expression

Este será un taller de fabricación de papel bilingüe (español/inglés) centrado en la creación de una variedad de materiales y superficies de papel utilizando diversos procesos y técnicas de fabricación de papel. El objetivo es crear una biblioteca de materiales para inspirar ideas y respaldar futuros proyectos de fabricación de papel. El taller incluirá el inicio del conformado, secado y prensado de láminas al estilo occidental, así como la manipulación de fibras durante la etapa húmeda. Exploraremos y combinaremos fibras como algodón, lino y abacá, y habrá una demostración de la técnica coreana joomchi. Habrá demostraciones y explicaciones diarias de técnicas, materiales y equipos junto con tiempo para la experimentación y el juego. Nivel introductorio. Taller de fabricación de papel.

Artista de estudio, encuadernador, fabricante de papel, educador; docencia: Arrowmont (TN), Lapaduma (PR), MUSA (PR), Universidad de Iowa; exposiciones recientes: La Lineal, Río Piedras (PR); premios: 8ª Trienal Universitaria de Arte en Papel Elección del Espectador, The Iowa Art Fellowship, Global Korea Scholarship; colecciones: Universidad de Michigan, Universidad de Stanford (CA), Universidad de Yale (CT), Universidad de Miami, Universidad de Pensilvania. 

jocmarysviruetfeliciano.com | @joko_viruet

15 de noviembre al 16 de diciembre: se aceptan solicitudes de becas
3 de febrero: se abre la inscripción regular

BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 2
June 1-13, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Jerushia Graham
Paper: Slice, Snip, Cut

Making papercuts hones the skill of defining the essential elements of an image. Impressive cuts can be created using the most basic of tools: paper, scissors, cutting mat, x-acto knife. Students will learn about paper cutting traditions of cultures around the world; construct a sample book of cuts; experiment with cutting lightweight and heavyweight papers, vinyl, and yupo (a plastic paper). Students will be encouraged to try cutting with scissors, art knives, surgical knives, snips, chisels, and punches. Mounting techniques will include spray adhesive, artist-tac, PVA, rubber cement, and a glue stick. We will cover the design concepts of black line, white line, mirrored images, asymmetrical designs, and multi-colored layered images. Our sample books will provide practical experience and serve as reference tools for personal projects made during the second week. All skill levels are welcome. Books studio.

Studio artist, museum manager at Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking (Atlanta); teaching: Paper Book Intensive (MI), Arrowmont (TN), Kennesaw State University (GA), University of West Georgia (GA), Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur (GA); exhibitions: A&E Atlanta Local Stories Digital Billboard, Cochran Gallery (GA), Hudgens Center (GA), MOCA GA; residencies: Art & History Museum of Maitland (FL), Halden Bookworks (Norway), The Creatives Project (GA); collections: Thomas J. Watson Library of The Met (NYC), Cochran Collection (GA). 

jerushiagraham.wixsite.com/jerushiagraham | @jerushia.graham

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING/BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 2
JUNE 1-13, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Radha Pandey and Johan Solberg
Art of the Book in the Islamicate Lands

In this intensive workshop, students will learn Indo-Islamicate papermaking and use some of the paper they produce to bind two Islamic-style codices. Using traditional methods of sheet forming and fiber preparation, we will immerse ourselves in the papermaking practiced in India in the 13th century. We will then size, dye, and burnish our sheets to prepare for the next step: binding. During the second week, students will work on two Islamicate bindings based on historical examples from the 9th and 15th centuries. Students will leave with a sampling of various techniques on their papers and two historical binding models. All levels. Papermaking studio.

Radha: papermaker and letterpress printing; teaching: University of Iowa Center for the Book (IA), Princeton University (NJ), Cleveland Institute of Art (OH), Harvard Art Museums (MA), Institut National du Patrimoine (France), Leksands Folkhögskola (Sweden), Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall (Norway), Museu Molí Paperer de Capellades (Spain); residencies: Women’s Studio Workshop (US), Kristiansand Kunsthall (Norway); artist books in over 80 public collections internationally.

radhapandey.com | @pandey.radha

Johan: bookbinder; co-director of Halden Bookworks (Norway); teaching: Leksands Folkhögskola (Sweden), University of Iowa Center for the Book (IA), Morgan Conservatory (Cleveland), Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall (Norway), Snow Farm (MA); residencies: Kristiansand Kunsthall (Norway).

johansolberg.com | @johan_solberg

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 3
June 15-27, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Mica Mead and Colin Sutherland
Risograph: Methodology and Practice

In this workshop students will learn the fundamentals of risograph (riso) printing and expand on their existing knowledge and experience. Topics will include design, prepress workflow, printing, and production. This workshop will cover some of the more technical aspects of riso printing while remaining accessible to riso newcomers. Students can expect to complete multiple projects including prints, posters, zines, and a collaborative class edition. They should bring or be prepared to quickly generate ideas, whether these are illustration, photo, design, or text. Students are encouraged to bring whatever tools they use to make artwork: pen, pencil, paper, camera, laptop, tablet, image software, etc. All levels. Books studio.

Mica: co-founder of Woolly Press; teaching: Penland; exhibitions: Bookworks (NC), Brainfreeze (TN), Asheville Area Arts Council (NC).

Colin: co-founder of Woolly Press; teaching: Penland; exhibitions: Bookworks (NC), Brainfreeze (TN), Society of Illustrators Museum of Illustration (NYC).

woollypress.com | @woollypress

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

TEXTILES – SUMMER SESSION 3
JUNE 15-27, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Sabrina Sachiko (Sachi) Niebler
Kami-ito and Shifu: From Paper to Cloth

Following a time-honored Japanese tradition, we will explore the multi-step process of turning paper into thread (kami-ito) and then weave it into cloth (shifu). This is a process-based workshop where much time will be spent immersed in the beautiful act of making paper thread: folding, cutting, rolling, separating, spinning, boiling, and skeining. From there we will prepare the looms and weave our paper threads into shifu. Students will come away with some finished shifu in the form of noren (a small curtain), a wall hanging, or usable piece of cloth. Those with some weaving experience may choose to make finer thread or a larger project. All levels. Second-floor textiles studio. 

Note: this workshop takes place in a second-floor walk-up studio that is made partially accessible by a stair lift.

Studio artist; teaching: Parker Street Studios (BC), Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (BC), University of Victoria (BC); exhibitions: Centre d’art de La Sarre (Quebec), Salon des métiers d’art de Montréal (Quebec), Centre National d’exposition (Quebec), Centre Matéria (Quebec), Musée des Métiers d’Art du Québec, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (BC), Alberta University of the Arts.

sabrinasachiko.com | @sabrinasachiko

Observe Sachi’s process HERE… and also HERE.

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 4
JUNE 29-JULY 11, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Kate Conlon
Paper Engineering

In this experimental workshop, we will explore the kinetic possibilities of paper. Using a variety of approaches to movement mechanics, we will create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks activated by mechanical linkages, folded paper mechanisms, and pop-up connections. Technical demonstrations at the start of the workshop will support self-directed making and experimentation in the latter part. We will cover both hand-cut and laser-cut production methods. All levels. Books studio.

NOTE: if possible, students should bring a computer. Students who cannot bring a computer should fill out this form.

Professor of the practice at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (MA), co-director of Limited Time Engagement Press; residencies: Emily Wilson & Wolf Kahn Fellowship at Vermont Studio Center, Haystack Open Studio Residency (ME), Boston Center for the Arts Studio Residency; exhibitions: 68 Projects (Berlin), Goldfinch (Chicago), Grand Rapids Art Museum (MI); Mana Contemporary (Chicago); collections: Art Institute of Chicago, DePaul Art Museum (Chicago), Joan Flasch Artist Book Collection (Chicago). 

Here’s a short video of Kate’s kinetic pieces in action.

kateconlon.com | @kate_conlon_studio 

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING – SUMMER SESSION 4
JUNE 29-July 11, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Gretchen Schermerhorn
Pulp It Up!

Embark on a journey into stenciling and printing pulp onto freshly formed sheets. We will start with an introduction to pulp preparation and cover beating specifications, sheet production, and producing pulp that mimics the quality of ink. Then will look at high- and low-tech methods in stencil and image creation, including exposing images for screenprinting pulp. We will use the vacuum table and deckle boxes to build and then excavate layers of color and imagery. There will be daily demonstrations covering topics ranging from pulp transfers to registering multiple layers while exploring sculptural techniques. At the end of the workshop, students will have a small portfolio of pulp paintings and a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals needed to establish their own pulp printing practice. All levels. Papermaking studio.

NOTE:  this workshop will be physically demanding: moving buckets, cleaning and loading the beater, and sheet forming will require physical stamina.

Studio artist; teaching: Maryland Institute College of Art, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore), Arrowmont (TN), Snow Farm (MA), Touchstone (PA), Pyramid Atlantic (MD), Women’s Studio Workshop (NY); fellowships/residencies: Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, Seacourt Print Workshop (UK), Robert Rauschenberg Residency (FL); exhibitions: University of Maryland (MD), Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking (Atlanta); collections: Montgomery County Public Art Trust (MD), Janet Turner Print Collection (CA).

gretchenschermerhorn.com | @gretchenschermerhorn

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING – SUMMER SESSION 5
JULY 13-25, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Akemi Martin and Cynthia Nourse Thompson
From Concept to Completion

This workshop will introduce students to many aspects of hand papermaking, including preparing pulp and making sheets of paper from a wide range of fibers such as linen, cotton, kozo, and abaca. We will also explore contemporary papermaking techniques such as pulp painting, coloring, collaging, stenciling, and watermarking to produce individually designed two- and three-dimensional artwork or book projects. Drawing on decades of experience teaching and collaborating with professional artists, the instructors will customize workshop content to provide a wide range of technical instruction while individually guiding students’ focus and vision from concept to completion. Artistic collaborations will be shown as examples of how to conceptualize and produce work. Students are encouraged to bring imagery, poetry, text, and collage materials for inspiration.This workshop is open to adventurous students of all levels. Papermaking studio.

Akemi: master papermaker at Pace Prints (NYC) collaborating with artists for the past 14 years; former director of Pace Paper (NYC); teaching: Cooper Union (NYC), Boston University (MA), State University of New York-Purchase, Dieu Donné (NYC), Gowanus Studio Space (NYC), Penland; publications: Hand Papermaking.

@akemimartin_paper

Cynthia: professor and director of curatorial affairs at the Zuckerman Museum of Art at Kennesaw State University (GA); former faculty at University of the Arts (Philadelphia) and Memphis College of Art (TN); other teaching: Haystack (ME), Penland, Morgan Conservatory of Papermaking, Dieu Donné (NYC); residencies: Yaddo, Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, Minnesota Center for Book Arts; 2022 visiting scholar and printer-in-residence at Bodleian Bibliographical Press (UK). 

cynthia-nourse-thompson.com | @zuckermanmuseum_curator

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

BOOKS – SUMMER SESSION 6
JULY 27-AUGUST 8, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Megan Gibes
Thinking in Multiples: Intro to Editions

In this workshop we will explore the concept of edition bookbinding: making multiples of the same book design or variations on a theme. We will begin by constructing a blank, flat back case binding that we will use as a prototype, creating jigs to plan and produce a small edition of the same book. Then we will consider how to think through a design concept and an efficient production process, including efficient material usage, measuring twice and cutting once, and planning for mistakes and design opportunities. Students will be able to use these concepts and techniques in their personal practice within and outside of book arts. All levels. Books studio.

Studio artist; lead bookbinder at the Arion Press (CA); teaching: San Francisco Center for the Book, apprenticeship program at the Arion Press (CA); bookbinding clients: Erik Ruin (PA), Samantha Wolov (CA), Eugene Rodriguez (CA), Corina Dross (PA), Heirloom Bindery (CA); collections: Smithsonian Libraries (DC), Getty Research Institute (CA), University of California-Berkeley, Swarthmore College (PA), Vassar College (NY), San Francisco Public Library, University of San Francisco; television: How It’s Made; Handbookbinders of California board member.

longarrowbindery.com | @longarrowbindery

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING – SUMMER SESSION 6
JULY 27-AUGUST 8, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Delaney Smith-Vaughn
Paper in Space

In this experimental paper casting workshop, students will learn to create three-dimensional surfaces and forms with naturally-dyed handmade paper. Working with cotton and abaca, we will begin by preparing the fibers in the beater, dyeing the pulp with natural materials, and pulling sheets of paper. Then we will use paper and pulp casting techniques to achieve a variety of forms from site-specific castings and molds we will make in class. Students are encouraged to bring objects or materials to use in casting. In addition to experimenting with three-dimensional papermaking techniques, students will be guided through several creative processes designed to encourage ideation and growth. All levels. Papermaking studio.

Studio artist, designer, educator; teaching: Arrowmont (TN), Oil & Cotton (TX), Haywood Community College (NC), Eastfield College (TX), Penland; exhibitions: Erin Cluley Gallery (TX), 500X (TX), Gallery 219 (TX), Vignette 2019 (TX); collections: Texas Women’s University (TX).

delaneysmith.studio | @delaneysmithstudio

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

DRAWING/PAINTING – SUMMER SESSION 6
JULY 27-AUGUST 8, 2025 (11 STUDIO DAYS)
Christina Shmigel
Diving into Authenticity

This workshop is designed for makers in any medium who are searching to identify and deepen their authentic creative expression. Through an evolving sequence of playful, experiential explorations, deep listening, and group reflection, you’ll investigate what gives purpose, pleasure, and meaning in your work. Working outside your familiar materials and methods in ways that let you get out of your own way, you’ll be surprised by how this workshop enriches your practice. This workshop is for all skill levels, but will be most beneficial to those with an established studio practice. Drawing and painting studio.

Studio artist, educator; former associate professor of sculpture at Webster University (St. Louis); former Penland Resident Artist; exhibitions: Ukrainian Museum (NYC), Ukrainian Institute for Modern Art (Chicago), St Louis Art Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park (St. Louis), Duolun Museum of Contemporary Art (China). 

shmigel.com | @cshmigel

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

CROSS-MEDIA – SUMMER SESSION 7

AUGUST 10-15, 2025 (4 STUDIO DAYS)
IlaSahai Prouty
The Art of Experience: Facilitation Skills for Community-Based Art 

In this workshop we will explore how experience itself can be an art form and learn tools for building successful community-based art experiences. Using activity structures and concepts from the fields of experiential education and art as social practice, we’ll create art experiences for groups and individuals. Take this workshop if you work with groups and individuals making art, if you teach and want to deepen your practice, or if you plan to work with art in community settings. Strengthen your understanding of how to lead successful group art experiences and reflect on how facilitating art experiences is an art form in and of itself. We will work with a range of accessible materials and explore how they might function in community-based art. All levels. Books studio.

Professor of art at Appalachian State University, teaching courses such as “Cultivating Creativity through Visual Art and Art for Social Change”; author and facilitator for Project Adventure, Inc, a nonprofit organization focused on disseminating experiential education techniques; co-author of experiential activity books; former Penland core fellow and resident artist; board member for Crafting the Future. 

ilasahaiprouty.com | @prootproot

November 15 – December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens

PAPERMAKING – SUMMER SESSION 7

AUGUST 10-15, 2025 (4 STUDIO DAYS)
Veronica Pham
Vietnamese Papermaking with Dó 

Dó (pronounced zaw in Vietnamese), a strong perennial shrub growing in the Northern Vietnamese mountains, has been used for 17 centuries in paper and textiles for its durability and texture. This workshop will make paper using dó and traditional Vietnamese techniques with the liềm seo (bamboo woven screen) and khung seo (two-part bamboo frame). We will also look at similar plants, such as gampi and mitsumata, to compare fiber length, sheen, and strength in sheet formation. We will work in various sizes and each student will build their own library of sample papers. Instruction will cover fiber preparation, hand beating, sheet formation, pressing, drying using traditional equipment, and demonstrations for dó lace and thread. Students will gain knowledge of the history and techniques of traditional Vietnamese papermaking while expanding their own studio practice. All levels. Papermaking studio.

Studio artist, educator, designer; teaching: Minnesota Center for the Book, Chazen Art Museum (WI), Fresh Press Paper (IL), Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute at University of Wisconsin-Madison; exhibitions: Trúc Chỉ Gallery (Vietnam), Merwin and Wakely Gallery at Illinois Wesleyan University, Lyndon House Arts Center (Atlanta), Morgan Conservatory (Cleveland), Paper is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures at San Francisco Center for the Book; publications: Hand Papermaking, Hand Papermaking Traditions in Việt Nam. 

veronicapham.com | @veronicaypham

November 15-December 16: Scholarship applications accepted
February 3: Regular enrollment opens