Summer E-tegami Workshop at Gaijin

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

E-tegami, meaning "picture letter" (e=picture, tegami=letter), is a form of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you'll create an ink drawing of a seasonal object on a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, this activity allows us to slow down and mindfully contemplate our relationships with the people and plants in the world around us.

This workshop will take place at Gaijin restaurant in the West Loop, and for this workshop in addition to making traditional postcard e-tegamis we will also make an e-tegami on a paper fan. We will be studying summery objects (such as watermelon, sunglasses, etc.) and drawing our summer treats from Gaijin (perhaps a scoop of ice cream or a summer cocktail)! The purchase of one ice cream or beverage is required to participate.

You will learn how to work with sumi ink and a calligraphy brush, so please wear clothes you're comfortable getting dirty. In e-tegami, the process is more important than the product—it's not about whether it "looks correct," but rather that you are drawing from your heart.

Give yourself time to make art and enjoy some traditional Japanese food—sign up for this unique workshop today!

This class is aimed at adults. Please contact our office if you would like to register your child for the workshop.

BIO:

Danielle Stolz (she/her) is currently a welder with previous experience in arts education. She learned the practice of e-tegami while living in Tokushima, Japan. For her, this process of 1. slowing down 2. observing 3. reflecting, is a way to connect to the land, its cycles (time), and ultimately her place within it (community). She is still pen pals with her e-tegami teacher and classmates back in Japan. She looks forward to sharing this magical practice and creating an e-tegami community within Chicago. (instagram: @etegamichicago)

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