Paper Making and Art Therapy Inspiration
How I Found Paper Making
I stumbled upon the art of paper making in college. I was looking for something to learn as an introduction to art therapy and was connected with Drew Matott, founder of a nonprofit organization called Peace Paper Project. I was intrigued, I had never heard of paper making before this. From the moment I met Drew he exuded the most positive, adventurous attitude and a true passion for paper making. He travels all over the country hosting transformative paper making workshops. He brings art therapy to communities who need it, and the work Peace Paper Project does is one of the most inspiring undertakings I have ever been a part of.
From the first workshop with this organization, my eyes were opened to the arts' undeniable ability to transform and heal. Two of the workshops Peace Paper offers include American Flag pulping for Veterans, and “Panty Pulping” for those who have been sexually assaulted. You can imagine how therapeutic it is to watch something that holds negative emotion transform into something with new purpose, meaning, and possibility.
Paper Making & Art Therapy
I was immediately hooked on the art form and the Peace Paper mission. I began working with them whenever possible to help run events and practice the art form. After some training with the machinery and process, I got to run my own workshop for Breast Cancer Awareness at Florida State University. During this workshop, we pulped shirts donated by breast cancer survivors. We hosted a “Make A Sheet, Take A Sheet” event to create and share bright pink paper. The purpose of this workshop was to bring awareness and help survivors face any lingering negative emotions around the memories by transforming this trauma into something with new life. It was beautiful to witness the strength and release of stagnant energy. My appreciation of art therapy rose to an entirely new level once I saw the hope that this therapeutic process gave people.
Paper Making & Nature
One of my absolute favorite adventures with the Peace Paper Project was at a place called Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. This is easily the most gorgeous place I have ever visited. It is pure magic. I highly recommend a visit is you are looking for a healing getaway. During this workshop, we created paper using herbs and flowers from their gardens. This paper will actually be part of a future series of my Blooming Bodies. My time at Esalen inspired my love for nature in a new way that has trickled into my creativity and sense of self ever since my visit.
I was also lucky enough to do my internship with Peace Paper at an artist residency in Sedona, Arizona. Here we created paper out of the surrounding brush, plants, seeds and fibers. Drew Matott can make paper out of just about anything; he always welcomes a challenge! This organization and my experiences with them have truly been one of the biggest inspirations on my artistic journey.
Paper Making & You
Peace Paper Project now primarily works out of their newly built studio in Hamburg, Germany. I implore you to check out their website and read about their mission. It is truly amazing to see this breathtaking work put into action. If you ever get the opportunity to experience one of these paper making workshops, you should! Whether it is just to explore this ancient art form or to transform a memento into something with new beautiful energy, I promise that the takeaway is magical.
