Man has been making marks on surfaces for thousands of years; in this informative talk learn more how handmade writing and printing surfaces have evolved, from the papyrus of old to the paper of today. Kathy Gurwell, resident Master Papermaker at The Printing Museum, will offer a timeline of that progression, including where, when, and why each new form developed. We will explore the early surfaces of papyrus, parchment and the development of paper around the world. Samples shown will include those both fiber-based (such as flax, bamboo, abaca, cotton, and kozo) and animal-based (parchment), as well as unique surfaces such as wood and stone paper.
Registration: The event is FREE and open to all. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift! Your donation helps keep our program fees accessible to all. Thank you! In order to best serve our community near and far, many of our online classes are pay-what-you-can. During programs, registrants can watch the instructor live or work alongside them, ask questions, and get feedback.
Location: It will be held virtually over Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We are planning to make a recording of the program available to everyone who has registered for several weeks afterwards, so you will be able to watch the entire program at your convenience even if you can’t join us live.
About the instructor: Kathy Gurwell has years of experience in the fields of paper and printing, beginning with her graphic arts study in Paris and continuing as a Curator Fellow at Tamarind Lithography Institute in Albuquerque, NM, at the Museo della Carta in Fabriano, Italy and the Awagami Paper Factory on Shikoku Island, Japan. She has demonstrated papermaking in San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Houston, where she now lives. She makes paper in both Western and Japanese styles, working with fibers such as cotton, linen, kozo, abaca, and flax. She has taught workshops in Houston and the surrounding area for the past 20 years. More of her work can be viewed at kathygurwellhandmadepaper.com
Join Kathy Gurwell in an informative class on the history of paper making equipment, comparing various traditional and non-traditional methods (which are similar, but differences will be shown and explained). As paper making traveled around the globe, details changed but the basics are the same. Kathy will talk about both western and Japanese papermaking equipment and the fibers commonly used for each. A short demonstration at her home studio will include pulling a sheet of paper, Western style from cotton pulp, with examples of other styles of paper. She will also offer suggestions for equipment, supplies, skills, and resources so you can set up a home studio of your own. Ask questions along the way in this interactive demonstration.
Registration: $25.
Members receive a 10% discount. Become a member today! Members must log in to activate the discount. If you don’t have a login, please contact us at info[at]printingmuseum.org.
Location: Online via Zoom. We are planning to make a recording of the program available to everyone who has registered for several weeks afterwards, so you will be able to watch the entire program at your convenience even if you can’t join us live.
Cancellations and refund requests must be made a minimum of three days (72 hours) prior to the first class date, by calling (713) 522-4652.
About the instructor: Kathy Gurwell has years of experience in the fields of paper and printing, beginning with her graphic arts study in Paris and continuing as a Curator Fellow at Tamarind Lithography Institute in Albuquerque, NM, at the Museo della Carta in Fabriano, Italy and the Awagami Paper Factory on Shikoku Island, Japan. She has demonstrated papermaking in San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Houston, where she now lives. She makes paper in both Western and Japanese styles, working with fibers such as cotton, linen, kozo, abaca, and flax. She has taught workshops in Houston and the surrounding area for the past 20 years. More of her work can be viewed at kathygurwellhandmadepaper.com
Join us for our FREE Educator & Artist Open House!
Artists and educators interested in unforgettable learning opportunities are welcome at our Open House. Explore our printmaking studios, tour the museum for a printing demo on our historical presses, learn more about our permanent collection from a docent, and see the first survey of work by artists from the museum’s new Artist-in-Residence program.
Educators: Learn how we can work with you to tailor tours and activities to any age group and focus programs on history, social studies, art and design, technology, journalism, communication—whatever fits your lesson plan or your group’s curiosity. From in-person and virtual field trip programs, to bespoke school group workshops at our printmaking studios, we want to foster an interactive and collaborative learning experience to make print come alive! The first 20 to RSVP will receive additional free educational materials.
Artists: Our studios are a space for artists across disciplines and experience levels to explore, exchange ideas and grow creatively through delving into the endless possibilities of the print medium. Tour the bookbinding, letterpress, printmaking and papermaking studios and learn how you can access the studio resources through workshops, studio memberships, rentals and more.
Where: This event is in-person at The Printing Museum, 1324 W. Clay St. We look forward to welcoming you and are taking recommended safety precautions regarding COVID-19.
The event is free to attend, but RSVP for a chance to win a gift bag as a special thank you.
Join us for a live letterpress printing demonstration with Artist-In-Residence Gaby Hurtado-Ramos, drop-in any time between 12 and 3pm. Attendees are invited to participate and pull a print on the Vandercook press. Everyone will receive a broadsheet take-away made by Hurtado-Ramos, combining image and text. The broadsides are part of a body of work by the artist exploring queer Houston history.
Registration: Ages 13+: $15; Ages 6-12: $12. Registration includes General Admission to the museum! Members receive a 10% discount. Become a member today!
Members must log in to activate the discount. If you don’t have a login, please contact us at info[at]printingmuseum.org.
Location: The Printing Museum, 1324 W Clay St. Houston, TX 77019.
This event is in-person at The Printing Museum. We look forward to welcoming you back and are taking recommended safety precautions regarding COVID-19.
Drop-in any time between 12 and 3pm. You are encouraged to spend 30-60 minutes, so as to allow for social distancing and for other groups to come in at their times.
Cancellations and refund requests must be made a minimum of three days (72 hours) prior to the first class date, by calling (713) 522-4652.
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