Papermaking from Invasive Weeds: A Hands-On Workshop

Bring your boots, gloves, pruners and a bucket to collect invasive plant materials form around Duke Farms property that you will using to create your own art.

After a 1 mile hike to collect materials, participants will have lunch and then learn hands-on how to extract fibers for papermaking and cordage; how to make handmade paper from the inner bark of white mulberry, techniques for isolating plant pigments, tips on processing weed trees into lumber and how to make a bamboo pen. Participants will leave with their creations.

This event is lead by Patterson Clark who has been harvesting D.C.'s exotic invasive vegetation for nine years, exploring its potential for use as art. At  The Washington Post, he is a visual journalist, writing and illustrating the weekly natural history column "Urban Jungle." Patterson maintains a small community garden plot, where he grows garlic, stevia and cow peas.