Joanne Rich

Joanne Rich left advertising amidst the 2008 recession. She was happy applying her creativity to branding campaigns, but not with her part in mass production. Revisiting the art of lantern making, a Chinese tradition symbolizing happiness and prosperity, she attended a Japanese papermaking workshop at Kozo Studio in Thailand with the support of the Ontario Arts Council. With additional support from Canada Council for the Arts, Joanne continued her research on natural dyeing at Mamie's schoolhouse. Her favourite papermaking fibre is the common milkweed. She grows large numbers of milkweeds for fibres, incidentally benefiting endangered Monarch butterflies. For More Information: @sculptedlight | sculptedlight.ca