In May 2023, We partnered with local artist and past CALA resident Diana Calderon for an art workshop on grief and art. Participants explored the exercise of processing grief through art practice, and learned how to create an accordion book which could be filled with photos and objects related to loss and one's personal relationship with the topic of loss (losing a loved one, losing a pet, losing an object, loss of memories, etc.) Participants were able to decorate the cover of their book however they chose, being able to also explore relief printmaking as a form of decoration.  

Before you start, take the time to gather the following materials 

Paper cut in half widthwise (cardstock or copy paper) 

Adhesive (tape or a glue stick) 

2 pieces of book board or chip board (cut to a quarter size of a letter piece of paper) 

Any drawing or painting materials of your choosing 

Decorative paper of your choosing (optional) 

If you would like to try the printmaking techniques 

Print foam 

Block printing ink 

A sharpened pencil 

A brayer (to roll the ink) 

Something plastic to roll the ink onto (saran wrap, plexiglass, etc.) 

Something heavy to press the print onto paper (weights, a heavy book, pressure from your hands, or a print press)