This program offered by: Shoka Stonelake

Shoka guides you in the creation of Etegami, art that is about Japanese-style postcard making. The primary activity is to create a card that contains both art and a brief message. The art will be the participant’s original design, and the message will be written in their own words.

TOPIC:
Shoka will introduce one topic to create their card. The topic is often a seasonal item such as a flower, leaf, fruit, or vegetable, but it can also come from a broad range of subjects including trees, mountains, people, and pets. The physical item or picture of the topic is provided. Shoka will provide educational or fun information about the topic and encourage a short discussion in order to increase interest and knowledge of the item they are going to draw. This helps to focus and observe the topic closely.

MATERIAL:
Shoka will use different materials to create etegami art, such as watercolor, crayon, marker, stamp, paint, recycled material, origami, washi, glue, sumi ink, and many more.

METHODS:
There are many different art methods and ways to create etegami available to offer. To become familiar with various materials and methods, Shoka will demonstrate material usage and unique etegami methods at the beginning of class, and encourage to explore freely from there.

CLOSURE:
At the end of the class, all cards are gathered on a table so participants have an opportunity to acknowledge one another’s work and learn from each other. It is a great team building activity.

Shoka will provide art materials to use, but material set-up and clean-up are done by participatnts. It is about working together, helping each other, and respect for materials and class.
Etegami should be focused on creating a card with a message, rather than art proficiency, because sending one’s heart is most important in etegami art. One essential of etegami is “Imperfect is perfect”.