In this hands-on silkscreen workshop, participants will create their own limited-edition poster using pre-designed screens inspired by themes of art, activism, and community. Attendees will learn the basics of silkscreen printing and experience the process firsthand, from setting the screen to pulling their own print. No prior experience is necessary and the activity is quick, […]
Join us to recognize the historic significance of Holyoke, MA as The Paper City. During the late 1800s Holyoke produced an estimated 80% of the writing paper used in the U.S. Historically home to the Pocomtuc, Agawam, and Nonotuck people and nestled next to the Connecticut River, the imprint of its manufacturing history can still be […]
Join Natasha Colon Ortiz, the heart behind Paper City Art Kids and Paper City Arts, to make your own paper masks inspired by traditional Puerto Rican folklore vejigantes masks. The traditional mask, influenced by Puerto Rico’s African and Taíno hertiage, is often made of paper maché with lots of spiky horns, bright colors, and bold […]
Join artist Tonya Lemos to learn about this antique photographic process. The cyanotype process, also known as the blueprint process because of its deep Prussian blue color, was invented and named by Sir John Herschel in 1842 and is one of the oldest photographic processes. You’ll learn about how this process works and print your […]
Past meets the present in this simple, approachable printing session. Anne Hulley, who has taught printing workshops around the world, will lead visitors through an add-on style of printing using foam and water-soluble inks to create fun, kaleidoscopic prints on vintage papers from one of Holyoke’s own former paper mills. All ages and experiences are […]
Visit with our friends from the Children’s Museum at Holyoke to learn about paper history in South Holyoke and some bite-sized hands on activities!
Local papermaker Micha Haftle will lead this beginner workshop to show how sheets of paper can be formed by hand at home. Using three types of materials, plant fibers, recycled cotton, and half stuffs, you’ll discuss each fibers different features and how hand papermaking differs from factory made paper.
Explosion books are small, square books which “explode” into a series of square and triangular pages when you open them. They are also super structural and angular making them a favorite to display. You can use decorated paper, photos or old art prints. These books are a great way to explore pattern, and they can […]
Join local historian Bob Comeaux of Historical Tours of Greater Holyoke for a one hour tour along the Holyoke canal. 2025 is Bob’s 11th year of giving tours and presentations on topics about Holyoke, South Hadley, and Chicopee. Come learn about the canal system that is recognized as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American […]
Spend 45 minutes with Roger Duffy, pen and ink artist, to learn about the history of pen & ink as one of the oldest art forms of fine art. The discussion will cover the long history of this timeless medium, and famous artists up to the golden age of pen & ink in America with […]
Calling all flyers, folders, and flight fanatics!Show off your paper-folding skills and creative spirit in our first-ever Paper Airplane Contest at the Holyoke Paper Festival. Whether you’re an origami engineer or just in it for the fun, this high-flying challenge is your chance to soar to victory—on wings made entirely of paper! This friendly competition […]
Let’s learn how to turn our own small-moment stories into beautiful mini-magazines (or “zines”). Zines are the ultimate multi-media experience: In this class we will experiment with words and pictures as we learn and practice the basics of visual storytelling, comic art, and beginning paper bookmaking. Together, we will learn how to make three different […]
Celebrate the end of the first Holyoke Paper Festival with a reception for the HPF exhibition artists and session leaders. De La Luz will have a cash bar, and we are excited to say thank you to everyone who made this day possible! This event is open to the public, so join us and bring […]
