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Transformative Paper: Sculptural Forms with High-Shrinkage Pulp

About the Class

For any student interested in using handmade paper to create sculptural forms with armatures, this is a class for you! Students will learn building methods for armatures and ways to wrap and dip their armatures in handmade paper prepared in a way that is called “high shrinkage.” In this method, paper pulp has been beaten for a long period of time to absorb a large amount of water, and dramatic transformations can occur when the form dries. All supplies are provided through the materials fee. La maestra habla español.

Papermaking is a wet process, please wear clothing and shoes that can get wet. Papermaking also involves some lifting and arm movements.

Note: There will be a one-hour lunch break each day. Please bring a bag lunch.

Location

276 East Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

About your Instructor

Michelle Wilson

Michelle Wilson is an artist living in Oakland CA, whose work explores hand papermaking traditions from all over the world. Her practice includes frequent collaborations with other artists; in particular the Rhinoceros Project (with Anne Beck). She has been making paper since 2002. Wilson has an MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking from the University of the Arts, and a BFA from Moore College of Art and Design. She lectures and teaches widely, including places such as Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Magnolia Editions, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art Print Center, the Kala Art Institute, and currently teaches papermaking, printmaking, and book arts at Stanford University.

Website: www.michellewilsonprojects.com
Instagram: @michellewilsonprojects

Schedule

Saturday, October 18 & Sunday, October 19, 2025
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This Session

October 18, 2025 @ 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Experience Level

All Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced

Ages

Adults


$205 Registration Fee
$45 Materials Fee

$250 Total Registration Fee

Class FAQ

We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

All credits must be used within 1 year.

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

  • All Levels
  • Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
  • Beginning
  • Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
  • Intermediate
  • Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
  • Advanced
  • Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.

We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.