Papermaking: Mould, Deckle, Watermark! 3-part Series with Katy DeMent

About this event

Create your own mysterious semi-translucent designs embedded in every sheet of

paper you make! And, keep your unique mould and deckle!

3-Week Series

Date: Tuesdays, November 17, December 1, and December 8, 2026 (note, this series skips Tuesday, November 24)

Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

Description: Katy will share her decades of experience and deep knoweldge of histories, fibers, tools, processes, and joys of papermaking in this special 3-part series: Mould, Deckle, Watermark!

Create your own “Western style” Mould and Deckle (11×14”) with a custom designed bent wire watermark.

Katy will teach you how to attach screens onto the beautiful, custom made moulds that current Artist-in-Residence, Aidan Rhoades created just for you here in the CC Wood Studio! Then, Katy will lead you through the process of adding a watermark to the screen! Yes, you will create your own mysterious semi-translucent designs embedded in every sheet of paper you make.

What are watermarks?

Watermarks in handmade paper are subtle, visible designs imprinted into the paper during the papermaking process. They are created by manipulating the thickness and thinness of the sheet, resulting in an image that becomes visible when the paper is held up to a light source.

Your custom mould and deckle will be yours to keep! You can bring it with you when you come to use Open Studio sometime after this class concludes.

Tuition: $170 + $80 materials fee (includes the mould and deckle that you keep forever!)

Materials: All materials will be provided

Registration: Register through Eventbrite. If you are viewing this listing on the Contemporary Craft website on your phone, please click this link to visit the Eventbrite registration page.

Scholarships: We really want you to join us in the studio! Partial and full scholarships are available—with some limitations—to alleviate some of the financial burden of attending a class.

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

If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle, Senior Education 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 3 days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds can be given without 3-days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the Artist

” For my entire life I have been a working artist, organic gardener, and beekeeper. I create handmade paper as a means to an end. Paper art works take the form of: art lighting, shadow box, stationary, books and sculptures all crafted from sustainably collected plants, recycled and invasive fibers.

Each piece is a vignette that holds a visual narrative. Through layers of vintage ephemera, photos and bits of cloth, tales are told. When etched images are included the dialogue begins. Toys, natural and found objects punctuate the story. No material is arbitrary; I am influenced by overlooked materials found in my community, my own back yard. Rusty old tools are mashed together with deconstructed plants; this is where I find humor, combining these unlikely fellows. Often my works invite the viewer to playfully interact with the art work through light and kinetic elements that bring the imagery to life.” – Katy DeMent

From Contemporary Craft