Guild of American Papercutters – paper artists and friends international

light filtering through trees; Photo 27554908 / Sunny Forest © Julia Burlachenko | Dreamstime.com to the forest floor — photo: Sunny Forest © Julia Burlachenko

The Guild of American Papercutters announces a juried Guild of American Papercutters Members’ Exhibit, April 19-July 10, 2022, at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts. As a GAP Member, you are entitled to one $15 entry submission that contains up to three pieces.

Deadline for submissions: Mon, JAN 31
Member Entry includes up to 3 pieces: $15
Artist Notification: Sun, FEB 27
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

Submit My Artwork

“Understory” refers to the rich variety of life and activity found near and on the forest floor, where little sun penetrates. GAP is seeking cut paper artwork submissions exploring the literal understory, as well as hidden, underground, or underwater ecosystems of any kind.

Our work will be shown to advantage 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.

Holiday Snow Exchange 2022

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

Paper Lantern Workshop with Lucy P. Liu

Celebrate the incoming Year of the Tiger with paper and light! On the night of the Chinese Lantern Festival, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them. In honor of the festival this year, longtime GAP Member and Artist in Residence at the Chinese American Institute of Chicago, Lucy P. Liu will be offering a workshop on how to create a festive papercut lantern for the Year of the Water Tiger 2022.

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. Come learn about a fun tradition, and leave with a colorful Tiger Lantern of your own to light up your winter months!

When: Sunday, January 30, 2-4pm EST/1-3pm CST/11am-1pm PST / 7-9pm BST
Where: on Zoom
Fee: Members $30, non-members $35

Book Sculpture Workshop with Jodi Harvey

Explore basic book sculpture techniques with artist Jodi Harvey. Participants will combine these skills to create a unique book bouquet. Everyone works at their own pace. While everyone may not finish the piece, two hours will be enough that all of the flowers can be explained and we can make at least one.

Materials

Two books (one must be at least 150 pages)
Glue gun and glue sticks
Xacto knife
Scissors
Thin wire (floral wire preferred)

When: Sunday, February 27, 3-5pm EST/2-4pm CST/12noon-2pm PST / 8-10pm BST
Where: on Zoom
Fee: Members $30, non-members $35

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, 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

Welcome, Winter Paper Magic

CALL FOR MEMBER ART

“UNDERSTORY”: GAP Highfield Hall and Gardens Exhibit 2022