Introduction to E-tegami

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Come and learn the art of e-tegami! E-tegami means picture letter (e=picture, tegami= letter) and is a kind of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you will make an ink drawing of a seasonal object onto a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, this activity is a way for us to contemplate our relationships to the people and plants in the world with us.

You will learn how to work with sumi ink and a calligraphy brush, so make sure to come in clothes you are comfortable with possibly getting dirty. Additionally, the subjects of these postcards take inspiration from the natural world around us. Feel free to bring in a local bloom/seasonal object from your garden to draw (encouraged, but not required!).

Finally, this is the introductory e-tegami class with all supplies included. If you are interested in continuing this practice after taking this class, you are welcome to invest in your own supplies and join our monthly e-tegami meet-up.

In e-tegami, the process is more important than the product—it is not important that it “looks correct” but rather that you are drawing from your heart. Give yourself time to make art and reflect on your relationships——sign up to learn e-tegami today!

This class is aimed for adults, please contact our office if you would like to register your child for the workshop.

BIO:

Danielle Stolz (she/her) is currently a welder with previous experience in arts education. She learned the practice of e-tegami while living in Tokushima, Japan. For her, this process of 1. slowing down 2. observing 3. reflecting, is a way to connect to the land, its cycles (time), and ultimately her place within it (community). She is still penpals with her e-tegami teacher and classmates back in Japan. She looks forward to sharing this magical practice and creating an e-tegami community within Chicago. (instagram: @etegamichicago)

Host or Publisher Japanese Culture Center