Guild of American Papercutters – paper artists and friends international

Upcoming Workshop on May 22

Dreamy Paper Sculpture Landscape with Tiffany

Come create a beautiful, 3D landscape with Tiffany Budzisz! In this class we will use the provided template design to create a dreamy, layered paper sculpture landscape. Techniques for paper cutting, scoring, sculpting, and layering will be explored. This class will also give you the fundamentals for how to create paper sculpture works of your own design.

Skills taught: paper cutting, paper scoring, paper sculpting, layering of paper to create a three-dimensional effect.

Time/Day: Sunday, May 22, 2022, 3-5pm EDT, 12noon-2pm PDT, 8-10pm UK
Zoom link emailed before workshop. Class is $35 for non-members; Members $30, with discount (use code GAP15 as you check out).
Important Note: Classes are non-refundable. A back-up Zoom recording will be made, but should not be considered a replacement for the class.

Supply list:

6”x6” mat board or heavyweight card stock in blue (or sky color of your choice)
Canson Mi-Tientes, Fabriano Tiziano or similar paper (98 lb. / 160 gsm) in the following colors: White for clouds, and three colors for the hills of your choice, such as light, medium and dark purples/blues. (See sample project image for example).
3/16” Foam board (approx. 6” square piece for cutting and layering)
Craft knife and #11 blades
Cutting mat
White craft glue
Toothpicks
Scrap piece of paper for glue
Wooden craft dowel 3/8” diameter
Embossing stylus tool
Pencil
Graphite transfer paper, or soft pencil for image transfer
Please print out the provided design template at 100% size (fits on US letter size paper). Template will be provided by email 2 days before the class.

Tiffany has many books and templates available for purchase (click here). You can see more of Tiffany’s amazing creations on Instagram (@tbudzi and @art.in.the.valley) and in her online Shop (https://artvalleyva.com/).

Thanks to all who attended!

Belarusian Vycinanka with Master Papercutter Volha Palunisa

“Animals emerging from myth, stars falling from scissors…”
“Hauntingly beautiful…” “Whimsical…”
“Thought-provoking…” “Compelling…”

These are just some of the words used to describe the incredible work of artist and human rights activist Volha Palunisa.

This Mother’s Day, GAP presented a special class and fundraiser: Belarusian Vycinanka with Master Papercutter Volha Palunisa.

In this two-hour class, Volha shared her work, talked about the history and traditions of Belarusian vycinanka, and explained the main laws that govern Belarusian vycinanka and make it unique. The class began with a historical overview of the art by Volha, interpreted by her friend and fellow papercut artist Elena Romashko; then Volha turned us to learning simple elements to create intricate stars in this style, using simple triangular cutouts and folded paper. We were then guided to use those skills to create a more complex image–the example was a bull’s head, since the bull is a traditional animal symbol of Belarus. Even complex images in vycinanka are cut freehand, so we cut with scissors, without templates or drawing things out beforehand – an exciting skill in itself.

The art of traditional Belarusian folk papercutting is very different from other traditions; every image, element, and composition have symbolic meanings, brought to life by the artist’s interpretation. The result is beautiful and mysterious, curious and philosophical. By immersing oneself fully into the symbolism and visual rhythms of creating vycinanka, the doors of the subconscious are opened, calling on internal resources and responses. With minimalist simplicity, Volha shared with us how she honors tradition, pushes boundaries, and creates a world of exquisite aesthetics.

Support Volha Palunisa with a Donation

If you were not able to attend Volha’s class, we would like to ask you nevertheless to consider making a donation. The class was recorded but can only be shared in a very limited way with participants.

Let’s flood Volha with support!

Donate

Please share this campaign on social media: thank you!

“UNDERSTORY”: GAP’s Highfield Hall and Gardens Exhibit 2022

“Can’t See the Forest for the Trees II” by Dena Back

Save the Date! The Guild of American Papercutters Members’ Exhibit, April 19-July 10, 2022, will take place at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

“Understory” refers to the rich variety of life and activity found near and on the forest floor, where little sun penetrates. Over 30 works by GAP members will be shown in beautiful Highfield Hall and Gardens. We hope you will participate in this opportunity for GAP Members in which the larger community gets to see and share all that GAP has to offer.

Highfield Hall & Gardens Members Opening Party (GAP Members welcome!): Tues, APR 19
Public Opening of Exhibition: Wed, APR 20
Artist Reception: Sun, JUNE 26, 12-2pm
Final Day of Exhibition: JULY 10

Wycinanki Florals Blossom Forth in Sam’s Workshop

On April 24, seventeen papercutting artists joined Sam Wróbel (aka sparrowpapercraft) in an exploration of layering and symmetry in wycinanki. Flowers are one of the most popular features in wycinanki; Sam taught how to layer colors through a floral motif. All participants, old members or brand new possible members, looked at symmetrical designs, and began to explore depth and color achieved by layering paper. It offered a chance to cut with the traditional scissors.

Cuckoo Clock Scherenschnitte with Hannah

This lovely workshop took place Sunday, March 27. Rave reviews have been received! Thanks, Hannah!

Happy Clock Creators from around the globe (or at least, the US and UK!):

Roll call of places where clocks are being created: Takoma Park, MD; Seattle, WA; Mantua, NJ; South Carolina; Little Rock, AR; Cumbria in the UK; San Diego, CA; St. Paul, MN; McMinnville, OR; Chicago, IL; Rapid City, SD

Book Sculpture Workshop with Jodi Harvey a Blooming Success

Thanks so much, Jodi Harvey, for a wonderful class! Participants combined the skills Jodi showed us to create a set of beautiful flowers and a book vase to “hold” them… But the workshop covered SO MUCH MORE! Jodi’s art of folding, cutting, and creating amazing paper sculptures based in and around books and the love of stories in those books was a joy to discover.

Holiday Snow Exchange 2022

Enjoy the wonderful Snow Treasures being sent by this year’s Exchange Participants!

Paper Lantern Workshop with Lucy P. Liu

As 2021 came to a close, GAP members and other interested folk gathered via Zoom to learn about Chinese Paper laterns from Lucy P. Liu. Lucy is a long time GAP Member and Artist in Residence at the Chinese American Institute of Chicago,
This will be the Year of the Tiger. On the night of the Chinese Lantern Festival, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them. The Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节), marks the first full moon of the new lunar year. In 2022, it falls on Tuesday, February 15th.

Attendees created colorful tiger lanterns to light up their winter months.

Ex Libris: GAP’s Traveling Exhibit of Papercut Bookplates

Last year, Guild members contributed their papercut artwork to an exhibit of bookplates at GAP’s National Museum in Somerset, PA, curated by Rebecca Raupach. And now, all of these beautiful member-created designs have been traveling through the country, hosted by GAP members and their communities. If you think your area could host a showing at a specific place you have in mind, please let us know: Write us at exhibitions@papercutters.org or president@papercutters.org

January Crafty Hour with Rosa a Hit! Happy 2022!

Just a reminder: Crafty Hours are free to all members, and hosted by our members, too! Come hang out, bring a beverage, some paper, and whatever you use to cut: Scissors, knife, sheep shears, scalpel, chainsaw, sickle…. We won’t judge! You do you. Let’s get to know each other and get cutting!!

A Look Back at Shadow Puppetry with Myra Su

On December 12, quite a group (16!) of members and non-members got a chance to learn about shadow puppets, animation, and puppeteering with Myra Su, Chicago-based puppeteer and puppet and animation guru. In addition to her independent work, she is currently a touring performer with Manual Cinema, with performances worldwide. She is also a co-curator for a quarterly puppet slam in Chicago, Nasty, Brutish & Short. In the past, she has done work for other puppetry/spectacle companies such as Redmoon and Blair Thomas & Co. Myra holds a BA with honors in Theater and Anthropology from the University of Chicago. We were all delighted to hear her and try out some interesting new techniques for storytelling with paper, including shadow puppets that focus on expressive silhouettes as well as paper puppets with hand drawn features, and techniques of lighting and movement.

Looking Back at the Ctrl+V(irtual) GAP 2021 Conference

Our virtual conference was a hit! Thanks to everyone who participated, in all ways! You can still access some of the fun at our Conference2021 website. Enjoy!

The Guild of American Papercutters is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The operation of the Guild is accomplished by volunteers and a very part time archivist and administrator at the Laurel Arts Center. For more information, email: gap@papercutters.org

Dream of Summer with GAP