🌀 Why Not Joomchi? with Jiyoung Chung

A five-day creative retreat exploring the Korean art of handmade paper and transformation

Experience the expressive possibilities of Joomchi, the ancient Korean art of felting and fusing handmade paper by hand. Under the guidance of renowned artist Jiyoung Chung, you’ll discover how this centuries-old process transforms delicate sheets of hanji into strong, textured, and sculptural works of art.

Through rolling, rubbing, and layering, you’ll learn how to manipulate paper until it becomes soft, cloth-like, and full of character — capable of standing alone as a sculptural form or merging beautifully with fiber, stitch, or collage.

This retreat invites both experimentation and reflection. You’ll explore the rhythm of process, the beauty of imperfection, and the tactile joy of making something by hand that feels both ancient and new.

Retreat Flow

Day 1 – Introduction & Demonstration
Learn the history of Joomchi and begin exploring traditional tools, materials, and techniques for preparing and layering hanji.

Days 2–4 – Exploration & Transformation
• Rolling, rubbing, and fusing multiple sheets of handmade hanji
• Adding inclusions, color, and collage elements
• Shaping paper into sculptural, textured forms
• Experimenting with wet and dry manipulation
• Combining Joomchi with stitch or mixed media

Day 5 – Reflection & Presentation
Finalize and display your Joomchi works. Discuss how the process can extend into future paper or fiber projects.

Studio Environment
Create in Aya’s spacious, light-filled fiber art studio in Stuart, Florida — fully equipped for wet and mixed-media processes. Each participant enjoys ample workspace (never more than two per 4′×8′ table) with power, USB access, and access to water and drying areas.

Enjoy morning coffee, tea, and pastries, personalized lunch pickups from favorite local cafés, and an optional group dinner at a nearby waterfront restaurant.

Details
Instructor: Jiyoung Chung
Dates: January 4-8, 2027
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $980
Skill Level: All Levels
Materials Fee: Additional (details provided upon registration)
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants

Discover the soulful beauty of paper transformed by hand — strong, delicate, and luminous — in this journey through the tactile language of Joomchi.

Beyond Joomchi with Jiyoung Chung