Paper artist Joelle Webber started making books at the age of 7. Forty-five years later, she is offering a drop-in workshop making colorful paper flowers from 4-7 p.m. during the Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, Aug. 27. Find her on the sidewalk under a tent (in case of rain, Midcoast Creative, 72 Main St.).
Webber grew up under the tutelage of a very creative aunt, a book artist and calligrapher, who encouraged all the children in the family to give book arts a try. And for Webber, “it just stuck.” Over the years, her aunt continued to instruct, encourage and involve her in workshops. During Webber’s childhood, her father was building the family’s home, giving her another opportunity to “learn how things work.” This experience became instrumental in Webber’s developing repertoire and expanding exploration of handmade books.
Webber, who lives on Westport Island, is known along the Maine coast for her instructional workshops in which students learn to make colorful paste papers, bind simple books and create sculptural forms, like flowers, with paper. In her private work, she makes “artist books,” one-of-a-kind pieces that Webber describes as “sculptural paper landscapes” using pop-up, paper sculpting and box-making techniques.
They often include hand-calligraphed poems and removable pieces that fit together like a puzzle. They stand or lay flat, and they take a long time to make. She looks forward to a time when her collection of artist books is large enough to stage a solo exhibition.
During the Wiscasset Art Walk on Aug. 27, visitors who drop in to Webber’s sidewalk workshop will create sculpted paper flowers using the rugosa rose as the model. Webber will guide participants in cutting the petals, gluing them together, decorating with ribbons and finishing with something unique for the center.
The free workshop is family-friendly, and all materials will be provided.
For more information about Wiscasset Art Walk, visit wiscassetartwalk.org or email [email protected]. Wiscasset Art Walk is a program of Wiscasset Creative Alliance. Learn more at wiscassetcreativealliance.org.