How is a sheet of handmade paper made, and how can a traditional craft continue to evolve while remaining rooted in its heritage? Artist/instructor Sinrong Chen begins with a short introduction to the history of Chinese calligraphy and painting. Chi Huang, the third generation owner of a handmade paper mill in Taiwan, will introduce the process of traditional hand papermaking: from the preparation of plant fibers to sheet formation, pressing, and drying, in order to offer viewers a closer look at the knowledge and craftsmanship behind a single sheet of paper. The presentation will conclude with a live papermaking demonstration, allowing audiences to see firsthand how fibers suspended in water are formed into sheets of handmade paper.

Ms. Huang also shares the 60-year journey of Goang Xing Paper Mill, founded in Puli, Taiwan, in 1965. Through three generations of papermaking, the mill has witnessed the rise and decline of Taiwan’s handmade paper industry while continuously adapting to changing times. From producing traditional papers for calligraphy and painting, to opening the mill to the public, developing specialized papers for artists, museums, and conservation, and experimenting with local plants and recycled materials, Goang Xing’s story reflects how a traditional craft can respond to new needs while remaining rooted in generations of papermaking knowledge.

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