This program offered by: Shoka Stonelake

Shoka guides students 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 each student’s original design, and the message will be written in their own words.

In each etegami class, Shoka will introduce one topic for students 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 for students.

Shoka will provide educational or fun information about the topic and encourage student discussion in order to increase interest and knowledge of the item they are going to draw. This helps students focus and observe the topic closely.

Shoka will offer students different materials to create etegami art, such as watercolor, crayon, marker, stamp, paint, recycled material, origami, glue and sumi ink. In order for students to become familiar with various materials, Shoka will demonstrate material usage and unique etegami methods at the beginning of class, and encourage students to explore freely from there.

At the end of the class, all cards are gathered on a table so classmates have an opportunity to acknowledge one another’s work and learn from each other.

Shoka will provide art materials for students to use, but material set-up and clean-up are done by students. It is about working together, helping each other, and respect for materials and class.

There are many ways to create etegami art for any age including adults. Different methods are available for each grade and experience level. However, 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.

This program is available for kindergarten and first grade classes with 20 or fewer students.