About the Bark #1
An Experimental Kozo Fiber Workshop
December 7th 2024
10am to 4pm

About the Workshop
Kozo fiber, the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera), makes beautiful, ethereal yet strong traditional papers. It is also a fascinating material in and of itself. Its strands separate into luscious lace-like patterns; it can be cast over objects and layered for strength, pounded into heavy sheets, or used to make delicate bark drawings. Bark lace can be incorporated into collage and mixed media work with adhesives; it can also be sewn to fabrics, other strong papers, or to itself. Best of all, you do not need expensive equipment to work with the bark directly. Come and see for yourself in this individualized class where you will be able to freely experiment with prepared fiber.

Join instructor Melissa Jay Craig in this 6 hour workshop in which you will learn to experiment with Kozo fiber. The techniques learned in this class require minimal equipment and students will be able to replicate what they learn at home; follow up classes will also be available at a later date showing how to dye the fibers, and how to use Kozo for 3-Dimensional work. All materials will be provided, and students will leave the class with their own kozo fiber creations! Class size is limited, so sign up while you can.

About the Instructor
Melissa Jay Craig’s handmade paper book works, sculptures and installation works are exhibited internationally, and are included in museum collections, artists’ book collections, and rare book libraries. Melissa has been awarded numerous grants and residencies, including several residencies at the Ragdale Foundation, Vermont Studio Center, Catwalk, Jentel, I-Park, and Women’s Studio Workshop. She was recently the 2014 Prairie Fellow at the Ragdale Foundation.