Papercutting Experimentation With Béatrice Coron

Live from NYC

We're delighted to welcome back internationally renowned artist and creator of spectacular papercut artworks, Béatrice Coron, for a hands-on session on paper cutting experimentation! 

Béatrice recently shared with us her exciting journey, from shepherdess in France to artist in New York, with works in the Metropolitan Museum, the Getty and the Walker. Her life as an explorer is evident in the wonder of her pieces. She moves through paper like she has moved through the world; carving a myriad of fantastical tales out of negative space.

On Saturday April 10th at 11AM, you will discover the multiple facets of papercutting by making your own samples of different techniques. Learning basic principles of designing with full and empty shapes, you will explore adapting pictures you collected to papercutting. 

We will start the session with a presentation of the art of papercutting, then we will make one exercise outlining what papercutting is and how it can be used. Then each participant will choose an image to adapt to papercutting. It can be a photocopy of a photograph. Other ways to use papercutting with colors, dimension and theatrically will be discussed.

Tips, tricks and resources will be provided. 

All levels are welcome and there is no prior experience required. There will be plenty of time to share, get feedback and meet other participants from around the world.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time.

What you'll need

• A cutting mat
• Xacto knife, blades 11 and extra blades
• Tape
• Glue
• Stapler 
• US letter size paper
• Tracing paper
• Cardboard box e.g. a recycled cereal box or any box
• Recycled Tyvek envelopes (USPS or UPS)
• Old magazines and newspapers
• Optional: Any art supplies you have

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We'll send link and details to join via email 1 day and again 30 mins before it begins.

About Béatrice

A native to France, Béatrice reinvented herself as an artist in New York 1985, after extensive traveling and many odd jobs. Her work explores visual storytelling through the technique of papercutting, drawing with a blade to create empty and full shapes that cast shadows. She often translates her bold and elegant hand-cut designs to metal, glass or stone to create public art. Bridging the gap between old tradition and new technology, Béatrice pioneers a striking new medium, that catches the eye and has transformed subways, schools and airports. Her work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty and the Walker Art Center. 

Read more: Béatrice Coron Lets Curiosity and Creative Intuition Take the Lead

Watch: TED Talk “Stories Cut From Paper”

Sessions are ticketed to support artists, makers and our small team. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please reach out. We may have a generous participant who has paid it forward. We would ask that you pay the love forward by sharing online sessions with friends.

Featured photo: Courtesy of the artist