The first in Rhizome's 'Art from Invasive Species' Series! 
Explore the art of papermaking using material harvested right here in the District of Columbia. The Paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera), has been prized for thousands of years for making some of the best paper in Asia, including Japanese Washi paper. Paper Mulberrys also grow as an invasive species in our area. Not the red or white mulberry seen growing in many local yards, this material has been harvested from a large stand of trees and shrubs growing in Anacostia on city-owned land.

In this workshop we will explore every step in the papermaking process, from sticks to paper. We'll steam the sticks, remove the bark and separate out the bast. Then we'll cook the bast, beat it and combine it with water to make pulp. After that, we'll make paper! While not a papermaking expert, artist Paige Billin-Frye has a deep interest in using materials found at hand to make almost anything. Let's learn together and see what we come up with.

Paige Billin-Frye is an illustrator, photographer, bookmaker and paper artist working in Washington, DC.

When: Sunday May 22nd, 10am -2pm (bring a lunch if you'd like)
Where: Rhizome DC, 6950 Maple St NW DC
Workshop Fee: $25 (includes all materials)