Pyramid offers unique educational programs in which professional artists bring the arts of papermaking, printmaking, and the book to K-12 classrooms and other educational venues throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC:
Papermaking in the Schools
Master papermakers bring papermaking to K-12 classrooms throughout the Washington, DC metro area. The rich history of papermaking and its roots in Asian and Western cultures come alive in hands-on workshops in which students learn how to make various kinds of paper and teachers discover ways to integrate the history and process of hand-made paper into classroom curriculum.
Y.E.S. (Youth Employment Skills)
Y.E.S. combines skills-building in the visual arts with the construction of original “zines” created by youth using computer-printed text, comics, and hand-written text that speak to youth empowerment and the critical issues concerning youth today. At the beginning of the program, youth learn the history of bookmaking and discover the tradition of magazines in America. The youth then research and identify a topic that is important to them and that that they will make the focus of their small (6 to 8 pages) self-published magazine. Finally, using a variety of techniques to construct their zine (i.e. creating it all on computer in Pyramid Atlantics digital studio, typing it out, hand writing the content, or cutting and pasting) the youth print and assemble enough zines to trade with one another, as well as providing one copy for the culminating exhibit here in Pyramid Atlantic’s Gallery.
More Than Words
MORE THAN WORDS is an afterschool program at Silver Spring International Middle School. In MORE THAN WORDS, youth build their literacy skills while learning the crafts of papermaking, storytelling, printmaking and bookmaking. Students begin by learning the history of papermaking and discovering the materials involved in papermaking. They learn how to beat plant fibers to make pulp and how to make the beaten pulp into sheets of paper. Students also learn the elements of effective storytelling, building their vocabulary as they learn to structure a narrative. Through the characters, settings and themes of these stories they explore their culture and creativity; through reading the stories of their fellow students, they learn about the culture of their peers. Next, students learn various print making techniques and create original prints based on themes from their stories. Finally, the students construct a book, consisting of their handmade paper, their original story and their printed images. Each hand made book is unique, and is exhibited for family, friends and community leaders at the culminating exhibit. This after school program invites youth to see themselves in their stories and work, to define themselves as readers and writers and to construct their own learning opportunities via the creation of their own hand-made book.
To schedule a workshop or develop a special program, at your school or at Pyramid Atlantic, contact us.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Pyramid offers unique educational programs in which professional artists bring the arts of papermaking, printmaking, and the book to K-12 classrooms and other educational venues throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We can also tailor a class to meet your specific needs and curricula. For more information on how your group can be involved, contact Cara Hunt, Education Coordinator, chunt@pyramid-atlantic.org
Lectures , Demonstrations & Workshops brought to you by Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
LECTURES
Hand Papermaking
This lecture is an overview of hand papermaking with historical and contemporary perspectives. Basic technique and equipment will be illustrated for both Western and Asian methods of sheet forming. Contemporary artist’s work will be shown, and paper samples and tools will be displayed.
Time : 1 hour
Group size : unlimited
Fee : $150, plus travel expenses
Asian Papermaking
This lecture will cover the history of Japanese papermaking, the process of fiber preparation, and will also show how a sheet of Asian paper is made. Lecturer will also show artists who currently use this type of paper in their work.
Time : 1 hour
Group size : unlimited
Fee : $150, plus travel expenses
Printmaking History and Techniques
This lecture will cover a brief history of printmaking-from Chinese 2nd century prints, to contemporary printmaking. Different types of printmaking will be discussed, including : relief, etching(intaglio), lithography, screenprinting and monoprinting. Basic technique and equipment will be shown for creating various types of prints.
Time : 1 hour
Group size : unlimited
Fee : $150, plus travel expenses
The Art of the Book
This lecture will introduce students to the concept and techniques of creating artists’ books. Emphasis in lecture will be placed on the history of artists’ books, the tradition of books, and the contemporary resurgence of interest in books as an art form. Various techniques and equipment will be shown for creating artists’ books.
Time : 1 hour
Group size : unlimited
Fee : $150
DEMONSTRATIONS
Hand Papermaking
In addition to lecture on hand papermaking, a step-by-step demonstration will be given, showing both Western and Asian papermaking. Workshop includes 15 gallons of prepared paper pulp for classroom use, enough for approximately 50 students to make several sheets of paper.
Time : 1 ½ hours
Group size : up to 50, plus 2 supervisors present
Fee : $250, plus travel expenses
Asian Papermaking
In addition to lecture on Asian papermaking, a demonstration of Japanese papermaking will be given. Workshop includes 15 gallons of prepared kozo paper pulp for classroom use.
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Group size: up to 50, plus 2 supervisors present
Fee: $250, plus travel expenses
Printmaking History and Techniques
In addition to lecture on Printmaking history and techniques, a detailed demonstration in relief printmaking will be given. Workshop also includes enough materials for 50 students to produce a relief print of their own.
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Group size: up to 50, plus 2 supervisors present
Fee: $250, plus travel expenses
The Art of the Book
In addition to lecture on Artist Books, a demonstration for the creation and binding of an artist book will be given. Workshop includes enough materials for 35 students to create their own artists book.
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Group size: up to 50, plus 2 supervisors present
Fee: $250, plus travel expenses
WORKSHOPS
Papermaking Half-Day Workshop
Workshop begins with lecture describing historical and contemporary perspectives of hand papermaking. Discussion includes use of materials, tools, preparation of fibers, sheet forming, and use of paper as a medium for artistic work. After a demonstration on sheet forming is given, students will make their own sheets of paper. Students should bring any materials they may want to embed or include in their paper, such as photos, drawings, sticks, or wire. Students will be able to make several sheets of paper.
Time: 3 hours plus 1/2 hour set up and 1/2 hour clean up
Group size: up to 30 participants, plus 2 supervisors
Fee: $350 plus travel expenses
Papermaking Full-Day Workshop
Presentation includes a slide lecture regarding traditional techniques and equipment for both Western and Asian papermaking. Contemporary artist’s work will be illustrated. Discussion includes use of materials, tools, preparation of fibers, sheet forming, and use of paper as a medium for artistic work. After a demonstration on sheet forming is provided, students will have ample hands-on time to experiment and will receive time for individual attention in this longer session. The last part of the workshop will be dedicated to pulp painting and other experimental approaches to papermaking. Students should bring any materials they may want to embed or include in their paper, such as photos, drawings, sticks, or wire. Students will be able to make approximately 10 sheets of paper.Time: 6 hours plus 1/2 hour set up and 1/2 hour clean up
Group size: up to 30 participants, plus 2 supervisors
Fee: $550 plus travel expenses
SPECIAL TOURS
Educational Tour of Pyramid Atlantic
This tour is an overview of Pyramid’s facility: the exhibitions, store, paper studio, bindery, and the two printmaking studios. The tour will include a demo in one of Pyramid’s areas: hand papermaking, printmaking, or hand bookbinding, depending on your interest and what arrangements have been made before your visit.
Time: 1 hour
Group size: up to 50
Fee: $200
CATALOGUES AVAILABLE
– Collaboration As A Medium ($40 plus tax)
– The Creation – Tim Rollins and K.O.S. at Pyramid Atlantic ($20 plus tax)
If you have any questions or wish to schedule a workshop or develop a special program, at your school or at Pyramid Atlantic, contact us.
8230 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring MD 20910
Telephone: 1.301.608.9101
Fax: 1.301.608.9102
Email: hello@pyramid-atlantic.org Sign up for our Newsletter!
