Joomchi: Creating Textured Paper w/National Artist-in-Residence Esther Cho

Two-part workshop

Date: Wednesdays June 17 and June 24

Time: 6-9pm

Description: Join artist, Esther Cho—who will be in residence in the Contemporary Craft studios for the month of June—in the paper studio to learn the art of Joomchi, a traditional Korean technique that transforms hanji (Korean mulberry paper) into soft, textile-like forms. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will use water and hand manipulation techniques to layer, texture, and fuse paper into tactile surfaces. Through folding, rubbing, and casting processes, participants will create unique handmade works while exploring the expressive possibilities of Korean paper art. No experience necessary.

Tuition: $130 + $40 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided.

We really want you to join us in the studio! Full and partial tuition scholarship opportunities are available to alleviate some of the financial burden of attending a class.

Please fill out the application here! You can expect to hear from someone on the CC staff within 2 weeks.

If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle, Fibers Program Manager, at jboyle@contemporarycraft.org, or leave a voice message for them at 412-465-1628.

Location: Contemporary Craft, Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Note, this workshop will take place in the Papers Studio, which is on the first floor of the building.

There are 2 entrances to the Timmons Studios.

One entrance is facing Butler Street. To access the Paper Studio from the Butler Street facing entrance, there are a total of 8 stairs to attend

One entrance is facing 57th Street. This entrance is accessible by ramp, with no stairs to ascend. The Paper Studio is located down the hallway from this entrance.

If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call (and leave a message for) Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1628 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

student example

student example

Esther Jihye Cho is a New York-based artist working across woodworking, textiles, and paper sculpture. She explores the hidden layers of memory, emotion, and secrecy by transforming them into sculptural forms. Using handmade paper and traditional Korean techniques such as jiseung and joomchi, her slow, detailed process invites reflection and care.

Cho holds dual MFAs from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Woodworking and Furniture Design, and Design Studies with a focus on papermaking and textiles. A recipient of the 2017 Windgate-Lamar Fellowship, she has studied Korean papermaking traditions in South Korea and bridges historical craft with contemporary expression. Her work has been exhibited at venues including the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, the Textile Arts Center of Madison, and the Art and Literature Laboratory. She has been awarded upcoming residencies at Contemporary Craft and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.