Participants will learn to make artisan papers by hand with recycled paper, cotton linters, flower petals, glitter and other inclusions. Equipment used in the process include: kitchen blenders, mould and deckle screens, vats, felts and sponges (provided by the instructor). Techniques such as pulp painting and adding text or images to the paper will be demonstrated. Seeds can also be added as an inclusion to make 'seed paper' that can later be planted.
| Grade Suitability | Gr 3-12 |
| Maximum Class Size | 22 |
| Time Required | 2-4 hours (paper requires overnight drying), 1 hour prep |
| Material Required | recycled paper, tissue paper in a variety of bright colours (for pulp painting), glitter, seeds, flower petals, pressed flowers, mould and deckle papermaking screens, kitchen blenders, access to water and electricity, plastic vats, felts (equipment provided by artist) Teachers provide inclusions and recycled paper |
| Material Cost | $30 |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Communities | All |
| Special Notes | A longer version of this workshop can be created. |
Helen O'Connor is an award winning Yukon visual artist who specializes in papermaking and paper arts. She exhibits her works in the Yukon, across Canada and Internationally. In 2025 Helen's paper art was featured at the International Paper Art Biennale in Shanghai. She is an experienced educator and possesses a Yukon Teacher's Certificate. In 2020 Helen completed a Master of Visual Art Education with a focus on inquiry and land-based education. She has taught in many Whitehorse and Yukon community schools.