By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� A master papermaker will join the Washington State University Tri-Cities community Oct. 15-18 to offer workshops and a public lecture in the therapeutic art of hand papermaking as part of what is known as the ���Peace Paper Project.���

The Peace Paper Project is an international organization of hand papermakers, art therapists, social activists and fine artists. The organization uses hand papermaking across the globe to improve the lives of survivors of trauma and loss through the traditional practice of hand papermaking.

Master papermaker Drew Matott will hold a public lecture from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Floyd Atrium on the art of hand papermaking and the goals of his Peace Paper Project. There is no cost to attend.

Matott will also lead several free workshops and sessions with the following student and campus groups during the week:

• Veteran students will recycle their old uniforms into paper from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15 in the Student Union Building
• Members of the Dreamers and MEChA clubs will recycle migrant farming clothing and other fabric-based items into paper from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, in the Student Union Building
• International students and their cultural learning partners will make paper together on Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• The community is invited to bring their own fabric to make paper from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-18, in the Student Union Building
• Matott will also work with a variety of classes and other student groups at various times throughout the four days as a means to show how the traditional art of hand papermaking is accomplished and is used as a therapeutic practice
  

  The Peace Paper Project often works with military veterans to hand-make paper out of old uniforms as a therapeutic process.

���We are very excited to have the Peace Paper Project on campus,, especially as it provides a creative avenue for our students to learn resiliency as they cope with change,��� said Jana Kay Lunstad, director of enrollment and campus registrar. ���Art has the power to heal. Our hope is that our students will connect with a practice that allows them to share their stories with their families, friends and other individuals dealing with difficult loss and trauma.���

Since 2011, the Peace Paper Project has set up more than 40 collaborating studios worldwide and has made paper with more than 30,000 survivors.

For more information on the Peace Paper Project, visit .

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� As part of a new cultural program, Washington State University Tri-Cities is looking for community members who would like to connect and befriend international students as a means to provide them with a local connection to the Tri-Cities, experience local cultural traditions and customs and learn about the students��� culture and customs.

Through the program, known as Cultural Learning Partners, participants would be paired with an international student and would agree to communicate and meet with that student four to five times per semester. The partnered individuals would choose the types of activities that they would like to do with one another, such as meeting for coffee or tea, visiting local parks, sharing a meal, celebrating holidays and birthdays, attending local community events and more.

���The goal of these activities is to build relationships while learning about each others��� unique cultures,��� said Erika Kraus, 厙ぴ勛圖 international student coordinator. ���Both sides have the opportunity to share about their own culture. Through communication and spending time together, participants build meaningful relationships and cross-cultural competencies while living here in the Tri-Cities.���

If interested, individuals are encouraged to contact Erika Kraus, 厙ぴ勛圖��� international student coordinator, to start the application process at 509-372-7444 or erika.kraus@wsu.edu. The process entails a detailed application in order to best match individuals based on interests, hobbies and preferences; an in-person meeting with Kraus; and a background check.

Participants would then attend a kick-off event in the fall and would also do occasional check-ins with Kraus, would receive a newsletter about updates to the program and would have the opportunity to provide any feedback about the program.

���I���ve seen so many international students feel isolated at American universities, but if they get connected to the local community, they are more likely to become involved on campus, make friends and build their support and social networks,��� Kraus said.

���And for the local partnering individual, these international students can share their stories, experiences and knowledge with them right here at home,��� she said. ���As a university and a community, it deepens our understanding of and connection to the world, it���s people, its beauty and its problems that need solving.���

For more information, visit /registrar/ip/.