Papermaking Studio Takes to the Streets, Bringing Pulp to the People

Here's a press release about our newest endeavor- a mobile papermaking studio! Please feel free to share and help us get the word out. We are actively looking for funders, partners, and papermaking enthusiasts to help us stay in Portland and bring pulp to the people! 

Portland, OR - July 1, 2016- Pulp & Deckle is a community studio and small business that is dedicated to sharing the art, science, history and craft of handmade paper with others. Since launching in the fall of 2012 they’ve grown exponentially, teaching workshops, making custom orders, starting an artist residency program, and filling a need for those who want to connect with the ancient and fascinating artform of papermaking.

Pulp & Deckle have taught guest classes and workshops at the Bamboo Garden, Portland Community College, Pacific University, the ADX maker space, The Museum of the Oregon Territory, Project Grow at Albertina Kerr, The Northwest Library, and the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology. They’ve taught hundreds of students at their North Portland studio, both inside their production space and outside under a pop-up tent. Co-founder and Lead Instructor, Jenn Woodward says, “In our classes and workshops we explore the potentiality of paper, empowering students from diverse backgrounds and experience levels to be makers. When you learn how to make something from scratch you have a different understanding of, and appreciation for, what goes into its creation.”

Another aspect of the business is crafting custom orders and selling handmade paper goods on etsy. The studio has made and sold thousands of sheets of paper and paper goods to clients such as McMenamins, for whom they’ve created a line of “beer paper” greeting cards. The primary materials Pulp & Deckle uses to create their eco-friendly products are used textiles (like old t-shirts and jeans), plants (like invasive weeds, and agricultural waste) and recycled paper (like used giftwrap, shredded office paper, and junkmail.)

One of the key reasons the studio has been able to grow is thanks to being in a business incubator with the arts non-profit, c3:initiative, since 2014. Pulp & Deckle Co-Founder Jenn Woodward says, “We've been amazingly lucky to partner with c3:initiative as they've provided us with space for our studio, promotion, and the operating support for our artist residency program. The time is near for us to "leave the nest" and fly on our own as our incubator term is ending in September, and we need your support to take the studio to it's next incarnation.”

“Being small business owners in a city that is experiencing a massive surge in population growth presents some unique challenges.”, said Gary A. Hanson, Co-Founder and Studio Coordinator of Pulp & Deckle. “ As real estate prices have risen many artists have been priced out of living and working in Portland. When we started mapping out our future plans and toured potential new locations, it quickly became clear that the neighborhoods where we would be centrally located are out of our price range. So we’ve decided to get creative. How can we stay in the city, be accessible for our students and clients, and afford our operating costs? WE GO MOBILE!”

So what does going mobile mean exactly? Ideally it means the business will pack up their equipment and go to where their students and clients are. They plan on purchasing a food truck and turning it into a mobile studio and pop-up retail shop. Why a food truck? To make paper you need water and power. Jenn Woodward says, “A food truck setup is ideal in that we can pull up the truck and teach you how to make paper just about anywhere.”

With a completely mobile studio the business hopes to broaden their reach, teaching classes at non-profit orgs like the IPRC, schools, homes, farms, businesses, and at public festivals and events. Gary A. Hanson says, “The idea is that we can bring the studio to you and customize our offerings to your needs, whether we put up our pop-up tent in your driveway, or set up a temporary classroom in a park. We can come to your art afternoon with friends, engagement party, birthday celebration, a private class, or company team building event.” The studio will also have a home based production facility in their garage in North Portland. They plan on offering small workshops and operating their artist residency from this location.

Pulp & Deckle’s Kickstarter fundraising goal for the mobile studio is $10,500. You can find it and get involved at http://kck.st/1r9i9N8. Some of the contributor rewards include a coloring book for adults made with handmade paper, cheeky greeting cards and art prints featuring iconic Oregon scenery, wildflower seed bombs, private instruction, and a “Pulp to the People” t-shirt.

The campaign runs through August 3rd, with the goal of transitioning into their mobile studio in September. To learn more about Pulp & Deckle and where you can find them around town this summer, visit pulpanddeckle.com.


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Pulp & Deckle is currently located at 7326 N Chicago Ave. Portland, OR 97203.
Open by appointment, event, or workshop only.
Contact Jenn Woodward for more information at studio@pulpanddeckle.com.