Paper Lamp Sculpture
Friday, November 6, 2026
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Fee: $70
The workshop takes place at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607.
Suitable for: Beginners to more experienced artists
Duration: 2-3 hours
Use natural materials like mulberry paper and rattan reeds to create glowing works of art in this hands-on paper lamp-making workshop. Participants will design and build a unique functional lamp using lightweight paper applied over hand-shaped frameworks made from rattan and/or bamboo reeds and secured with thin coats of glue. Inspired by traditional lantern-making as well as contemporary sculptural lighting, this workshop encourages experimentation with form, texture, and light.
Participants will begin by sketching ideas and learning basic construction techniques before creating a structure. Finished lamps can be assembled as table or hanging lamps using provided lamp bases, cords, and LED bulbs.
No previous experience is necessary. All materials are provided, including mulberry paper, rattan reeds, hot glue, PVA glue, cutting tools, lamp hardware, and LED light bulbs. Participants will leave with a completed illuminated sculpture and the skills to continue exploring paper and light-based design at home.
Survival Guide: a Manual for Artists
$15.00
This project is a continuation of Woman Made Gallery’s Exhibiting Professionalism Manual, which was originally written by Janet Bloch and Beate Minkovski and used in WMG’s workshops form 1995 to 2012. The current version has been updated by WMG team member, Veronica Clements, and edited by Melanie Deal. This guide was written to assist artists with their professional development. The advice comes from a vast network of personal and professional experience in creating, exhibiting, curating, and jurying artwork.
Note: Orders will be emailed to you and will include a link and a PDF attachment of the manual.
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Puffin Foundation; a major anonymous donor; and the generosity of its members and contributors.