Handmade paper arts.

(The paper-based art created at Dieu Donné would have surprised the old paper makers of Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Image from the NYPL Digital Gallery.)

It's the time of year for paper crafts–snowflakes, paper chains, and more. You might be making your own paper arts at home–I’m thinking of making a handful of the elegant paper decorations like those described on Design*Sponge a couple of weeks ago. But if your interest in the paper arts extends beyond the paper chain variety, I would recommend checking out an exhibit at Dieu Donné, the amazing paper arts workspace here in New York.

Now through January 5, 2008, Dieu Donné presents a retrospective exhibition of what will surely be challenging and inspiring work in handmade paper. The art was produced in collaboration through their Workspace Program for emerging artists over the last six years. The exhibition is curated by Patti Phillips, who will host a special panel discussion on artist workspaces at 6:30pm on December 21st.

If you’d like to explore more handmade paper art of this kind, you’ll find works at the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library by searching for Dieu Donné Papermill in Catnyp. You can also examine an assemblage by Jean Shin, who has participated in the Workspace Program. Shin, whose work is part of the Dieu Donné exhibition above, will also be part of the panel. You’ll never look at paper the same way again!