Instructor: Switch Grass Paper- Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie
Format: In Person, 2-day workshop
Date(s): March 14 + 15, 2026
Day/Time: Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Sunday 1 pm - 5 PM
Join artists Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie of Switch Grass Paper for a hands-on introduction to western-style papermaking using hemp and abaca pulp. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll explore the creative possibilities of paper: embedding meaningful objects into your sheets, creating stencil molds for shaped paper, and designing watermarks.
Saturday is devoted to learning, experimenting, and getting comfortable with tools and methods; Sunday introduces watermark techniques and gives you dedicated studio time to bring your ideas to life. This immersive workshop is ideal for both beginners and experienced makers who want space, guidance, and inspiration to deepen their papermaking practice.
Switch Grass Paper provides all materials, including a wide selection of molds and deckles to explore various sizes. Participants are welcome to bring flat materials that they might want to embed into the paper - examples are pictures, confetti, ribbon, etc. - along with a sketchbook for notes and reflection. To keep the experience intimate and supportive, the workshop is limited to 8–10 papermakers, ages 18+.
Participants should note that we will be working with water and wet materials like paper pulp. Please wear waterproof shoes/clothing.
Scholarship
We have one scholarship available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please write a short paragraph (200-word max) statement of need. Email to hello@theweavingworkshopschool.com Scholarship statements will be accepted from Feb 1 to February 7, 2026.
Cancellation & Workshop Policies
Please review our FAQ page before registering. By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our cancellation terms and health guidelines.
Switch Grass Paper is Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie:
https://www.switchgrasspaper.com/
Artist Bios
Megan Diddie is a Chicago-based visual artist. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and Art History from Santa Clara University and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has exhibited at venues in the United States and abroad, including Roots and Culture in Chicago, IL, the Center for the Book Arts in New York City, Gallery AD in San Jose, CA, and the COA Gallery in Montreal, Canada. She received a DCASE grant in 2018 for her multi-media project Hot House. She was the recipient of the ACE award as a graduate student for public papermaking workshops.
She kicked off her papermaking journey at Fresh Press Studio in Champaign, Urbana, in 2013. She loves working with kozo, abaca, and local plants. Watermarks and blind embossing are two of her favorite ways to manipulate paper.
Aya Nakamura is a Chicago-based visual artist. She holds a BA in Fine Arts and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has exhibited at venues in the United States and abroad, including The Hangar and Dawawine in Beirut, Lebanon; Supa Salon in Istanbul, Turkey; Mana Decentralized in Jersey City, New Jersey; Secrist Beach in Chicago, Illinois; and Western Exhibitions in Chicago, Illinois. Nakamura is represented by Western Exhibitions in Chicago, IL.
Nakamura began making paper in 2018 as part of her studio practice. Working with a variety of fibers and shaped molds, she likes to experiment with what paper can become. She also loves processing paper mulberry fiber to make washi.
Instructor: Switch Grass Paper- Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie
Format: In Person, 2-day workshop
Date(s): March 14 + 15, 2026
Day/Time: Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Sunday 1 pm - 5 PM
Join artists Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie of Switch Grass Paper for a hands-on introduction to western-style papermaking using hemp and abaca pulp. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll explore the creative possibilities of paper: embedding meaningful objects into your sheets, creating stencil molds for shaped paper, and designing watermarks.
Saturday is devoted to learning, experimenting, and getting comfortable with tools and methods; Sunday introduces watermark techniques and gives you dedicated studio time to bring your ideas to life. This immersive workshop is ideal for both beginners and experienced makers who want space, guidance, and inspiration to deepen their papermaking practice.
Switch Grass Paper provides all materials, including a wide selection of molds and deckles to explore various sizes. Participants are welcome to bring flat materials that they might want to embed into the paper - examples are pictures, confetti, ribbon, etc. - along with a sketchbook for notes and reflection. To keep the experience intimate and supportive, the workshop is limited to 8–10 papermakers, ages 18+.
Participants should note that we will be working with water and wet materials like paper pulp. Please wear waterproof shoes/clothing.
Scholarship
We have one scholarship available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please write a short paragraph (200-word max) statement of need. Email to hello@theweavingworkshopschool.com Scholarship statements will be accepted from Feb 1 to February 7, 2026.
Cancellation & Workshop Policies
Please review our FAQ page before registering. By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our cancellation terms and health guidelines.
Switch Grass Paper is Aya Nakamura and Megan Diddie:
https://www.switchgrasspaper.com/
Artist Bios
Megan Diddie is a Chicago-based visual artist. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and Art History from Santa Clara University and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has exhibited at venues in the United States and abroad, including Roots and Culture in Chicago, IL, the Center for the Book Arts in New York City, Gallery AD in San Jose, CA, and the COA Gallery in Montreal, Canada. She received a DCASE grant in 2018 for her multi-media project Hot House. She was the recipient of the ACE award as a graduate student for public papermaking workshops.
She kicked off her papermaking journey at Fresh Press Studio in Champaign, Urbana, in 2013. She loves working with kozo, abaca, and local plants. Watermarks and blind embossing are two of her favorite ways to manipulate paper.
Aya Nakamura is a Chicago-based visual artist. She holds a BA in Fine Arts and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has exhibited at venues in the United States and abroad, including The Hangar and Dawawine in Beirut, Lebanon; Supa Salon in Istanbul, Turkey; Mana Decentralized in Jersey City, New Jersey; Secrist Beach in Chicago, Illinois; and Western Exhibitions in Chicago, Illinois. Nakamura is represented by Western Exhibitions in Chicago, IL.
Nakamura began making paper in 2018 as part of her studio practice. Working with a variety of fibers and shaped molds, she likes to experiment with what paper can become. She also loves processing paper mulberry fiber to make washi.
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