The 25th Anniversary celebration continues through January 2026 at the Evanston Public Library.
Location: Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Presented by: HIVE Center for the Book Arts
BOOK ARTS: BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
Sept 12 – October 2, 2025
Liggett Studios 314 S. Kenosha Ave. Tulsa, OK 74120
September 12, 5-8pm—Second Friday, Exhibit Opening
September 13, 1-3pm—Book Arts Day: Interacting with Artist Books, and Gallery Talk with Pamela Paulsrud
October 2, 2025, 5-8pm – Exhibit Closing
Gallery Open Thursdays & Fridays, 5-8pm, and Saturdays, 1-5pm
Papermaking Workshop
We’re thrilled to invite you to an immersive, soulful, and hands-on Treewhispers Papermaking Workshop with the amazing Steve Liggett and the poetic spirit of Phetote Mshari!
June 14 & 28
1–3 PM
Liggett Studios, 314 S. Kenosha Ave. Tulsa, OK
$50
All supplies provided
In this two-part workshop, artist and papermaker Steve Liggett will guide you through the joyful and surprisingly meditative process of making handmade paper rounds. These textured, earthy pieces are the heart of the Treewhispers installation, a global project celebrating our deep-rooted relationships with trees.
But it doesn’t stop there…
You’ll be joined by the ever-inspiring poet and storyteller Phetote Mshari, who’ll help coax your memories and musings into words that can be added to your handmade papers — becoming part of a larger, living artwork. Whether it’s the memory of climbing your favorite tree, planting one with a loved one, or simply basking in the stillness of a forest — this is your space to remember, reflect, and create.
Your paper pieces can be taken home, treasured, or contributed to the traveling Treewhispers installation, which continues to grow like a tree with every story added.
Come for the art, stay for the wonder. Rediscover that childlike awe. Feel the peace that only trees and creative community can offer.
No experience necessary. Just bring your stories and your love for trees.
Reserve your spot now — space is limited!
Treewhispers 25th Anniversary Closing Reception—March 22, 2025
Come celebrate, reconnect, and spread the word!
Join us as we mark 25 years of Treewhispers with Artists Book House.
4207 W Irving Park, Chicago, IL
Saturday, March 22 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM
2:00 – 4:00 PM | Columbia College Center for Book & Paper Arts Alumni Reunion
(A special time for alumni to gather and reconnect.)
4:00 – 6:00 PM | Closing Reception – Open to All
*For CBPA alumni, this is more than a reunion. It’s a rekindling of the creative spark that first brought us together. Through the wisdom of thought-provoking instructors and the boundless exploration they encouraged, we forged connections that have stood the test of time. Let’s gather to honor those shared experiences, reflect on our artistic journeys, and celebrate the lasting impact of our creative community.
Expect an afternoon filled with lively conversations, creative inspiration, and a few surprises!
CBPA alumni who want to join the reunion, email: killian@artistsbookhouse.org
Come for the art, stay for the stories. Let’s make this a celebration to remember!
Pulp Painting Nature with Don Widmer—March 1, 2025
Saturday, March 1, 2025; 11am to 3pm
Artists Book House
4207 W. Irving Park Rd.; Chicago, IL
About the workshop
Participants will learn the technique of pulp painting, creating imagery within sheets of handmade paper using plant pulp as a medium. We will design and cut our own stencils using nature as our inspiration. Then we will create sheets of paper, including round sheets, in keeping with the theme of the Treewhispers project. Participants will apply colored pulp using their stencil forms to the fresh sheets of paper. The wet sheets can be taken home to dry. Wear clothes that can get wet.
About Don Widmer
Don Widmer is a book and paper artist whose work incorporates papermaking and artist bookbinding. His papermaking utilizes detailed pulp painting with numerous layers of stenciled pulp. His artist books feature structures that explore movement and light. Don has exhibited throughout the Midwest, most recently at David Smith Studio, A+C Architects Studio, the Paper Discovery Center, Bridgeport Art Center, Tall Grass Art Gallery, Morgan Conservatory, Gallery Studio Oh!, and Kalamazoo Book Arts Center. He has received several best of show awards and his work is represented in university, museum and library collections. Most recently, the Smithsonian purchased his artist book Darkness and Light, inspired by Etty Hillesum. Widmer received his MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago.
Fun & Funky Arboreal Alphabets — February 22, 2025
In celebration of Treewhispers 25th Anniversary Artists Book House will be hosting Fun & Funky Arboreal Alphabets with Julie Wildman
Saturday, February 22, 2025; 12pm to 3pm
4207 W Irving Park, Chicago
This is a class for all levels with a focus on drawing, calligraphy, and incorporating nature, using trees as inspiration for creating fun and funky letters.
Students may bring in their own photos or cuttings of trees, branches, twigs, and leaves for inspiration, or they may use the instructor’s samples. We will explore the interesting shapes found in these items and sketch letters based on those shapes. Then, we will illustrate the alphabets using paints, colored pencils, gel pens, markers, and other materials. Students will work at their own pace and may choose to create a variety of letterforms or a cohesive alphabet or short phrase.
Materials will be supplied, but students may bring in photos or natural clippings for inspiration.
Chicago Calligraphy Collective—February 16, 2025
The Chicago Calligraphy Collective (CCC) is collaborating in Treewhispers’ 25th Anniversary festivities! This special event is open to all—a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of calligraphy, create your own weathergram, and experience the inspiring Treewhispers exhibit.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Artists Book House – 4207 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
CCC calligraphers will be demonstrating a variety of lettering styles.
Supplies will be provided for visitors to create their own weathergrams—a beautiful calligraphic tradition dating back over 50 years.
Take yours home, display it, or gift it to someone special!
Come celebrate the art of writing, storytelling, and nature with us. Hope to see you there!
Storytelling—January 29, 2025
Calling All Storytellers!
Do you have a tree story to share? Whether it’s funny, inspiring, romantic, or mystical, we want to hear it!
Join us on January 29th (Lunar New Year) at Artists Book House, Irving Park Road, Chicago, for a live storytelling event celebrating Treewhispers’ 25th Anniversary!
Doors open at 6 PM, with stories from 6:30–7:30 PM amid the stunning Treewhispers installation.
Bonus points if your story includes trees and the moon!
Everyone’s welcome—submit your story for a chance to perform. Let’s celebrate trees and storytelling!
25th Anniversary Celebration—Jan 18, 2025
In collaboration with Artists Book House, we are thrilled to invite you to the opening reception. It is located at 4207 W Irving Park, Chicago, IL. Join us on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 2 PM to 6 PM. This event is free and open to the public, and we would love to celebrate this milestone with you!
We will also host a closing reception on Saturday, March 22. Stay tuned for more details. There will also be special programming inspired by Treewhispers.
Events
Evanston Wine Walk! September 12, 2024 | 5pm-8pm
Sip, stroll, and immerse yourself in Treewhispers petite at Booked: 506 Main St., Evanston, IL
Spotlight Studio, June 3 – July 14, 2024
2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL
(847) 832-6600
Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview, IL
Spotlight Studio, June 3 – July 14, 2024
Grange Insurance Audubon, 505 W Whittier St. Columbus OH through April 23, 2023
Three Exhibitions Continue…More Observations in Nature!
Three exhibitions to explore at the Grange Insurance Audubon, 505 W Whittier St. Columbus OH 43215. The new exhibition “Tree Time + Silos” by artist Amanda Love presents a photographic documentation of the prehistoric and endangered species, The Metasequoia (or Dawn Redwoods) with a sneak peak at “Silos” an outdoor exhibition also inspired by the Dawn Redwoods coming this fall. “Treewhispers” displays a “forest” of handmade paper and artistic exploration honoring trees by Pamela Paulsrud and the late Marilyn Sward. “It Sounds Like Love” by artist Cadine Navarro creates a place of encounter with native Ohio prairie seeds
Papermaking
1/31/2023
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
Registration is open
Learn the art of papermaking.
Event Type(s): Adult, Teen | Grades 6-12
Age Group(s): Adult, Teen | Grades 6-12
West Newark (Emerson R. Miller) Library
(740) 344-2155
The Art at Audubon series at the center showcases:
- 2022 Audubon Photography Awards
- It Sounds Like Love—an immersive, walk-on art installation of etched glass revealing the sound vibrations of Ohio prairie seeds
- Feathered Portraits
- Treewhispers, an international collaboration awakening a heartfelt connection to trees
Please be sure to RSVP by 5 pm, Wednesday, January 4th.
For questions, please contact Sandy Libertini at sandy.libertini@audubon.org
We hope to see you there!
Book and Literary Arts Afternoon at Shop Evanston Made Holiday Market!
Join Artists Book House on November 14th, 2021 from 1-4 pm for our Book and Literary Arts Afternoon at Evanston Made’s Holiday Market (921 Church Street, Evanston IL).
Experience FREE demos and hands on workshops in book making (with Regin Igloria), calligraphy (with Chicago Calligraphy Collective), ten minute memoir writing (with Sharon Fiffer), print making (with Hannah Batsel), and collage (with Rebecca Grace Hill). You’ll also get a chance to add your tree story to the Treewhispers installation, with Pamela Paulsrud.
Demos and hands on experiences are free, and all are welcome.
Treewhispers at 921 Church Street, Evanston IL, hosted by EvanstonMade, sponsored by Artist Book House.
Kaligrafos – Calligraphy Guild journey with Treewhispers Council of Oaks.
WHEN: Jan 10, 2020 (members only) and Jan 11 (public) – Feb 29th, Closing Reception
WHERE: Dawes Arboretum, Newark, OH
A. Love Exhibit Opening: April 3 (private) April 4 (public)
Crafting Conversations—a call and response to our changing climate
WHEN: September 1, 2019 – January 15, 2020 (Open daily through midnight)
WHERE: BNY Mellon Center, 500 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contemporary Craft Satellite Gallery Lobby of the Steel Plaza T-Station in Downtown Pittsburgh
Kalamazoo Nature Center, Glen Vista Gallery, Kalamazoo, Michigan, June and July 2019
Artists, Katy DeMent and Judie Jacobs introduce papermaking to students in the Upper School at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Atlanta, GA. 2019
2017 Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview, Illinois
Adventures in Art Papermaking workshops:
Tuesday June 13, 2-4 p.m.
Wednesday June 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Thursday June 15, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
#OurVoicesAreVital Treewhispers partners with Greenpeace at the 2017 BookCon/BookExpo in NYC May 31-June 4
Papermaking workshops at the Sharjah International Book Fair, 2 November 2016 -12 November 2016, Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Treewhispers installation in the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial 2016 under the great patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.Opening: April 7-June 6, 2016, Sharjah, UAE
The Textile Surface Design Guild of Lethbridge marks and celebrates its 35th Anniversary this year, 2016 with Treewhispers workshops and installation at Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
Lycée Students, Chicago, Illinois participate in Treewhispers Project, April 2015 http://www.lyceechicago.org/news/lycee-students-participate-in-tree-whisperers-project
The staff at The Center in Palos Park, IL made paper and wrote on the circles at the summer staff picnic on June 10, 2014. Summer mini-installation of Treewhispers at The Center , 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 
On Saturday, June 7, 2014 10 am – 4 pm. at The Center in Palos Park, IL papermaking tables were set up at the annual Farm Fest to encourage folks to make paper circles and write/draw on them to add to the project.
Treewhispers presentation on Earth Day 2014 at The Center in Palos Park, IL
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Papermaking event; Friday, March 7, 2014; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Spend the day exploring the artistic papermaking process used in the Treewhispers exhibition. You will begin the workshop with an introduction to the stunning handmade paper rounds used in the Treewhispers project. Then, roll up your sleeves and create your own paper rounds under the guidance of the visionary creator of the exhibit, artist Pamela Paulsrud. This will be a fun and invigorating workshop suitable for all.
The Center in Palos Park, IL hosted a Little Art Show of tiny artworks. Guests had an opportunity to make tiny circles. Summer campers, summer preschoolers, and spring and summer kids’ art students made paper and added their circles to the project. May 25, 2014
Crab Tree Nature Center, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 3 Stover Road, Barrington, IL 60010; Treewhispers papermaking extravaganza! May 18, 2013; 10am-4pm
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Papermaking event; March 8, 2013.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs, IL; Treewhispers Exhibition; July 27th through October 31st, 2012.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs, IL; Paper-making Workshop – FPDCC staff; July 27, 2012.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs, IL; Paper-making Workshop – School Teachers; Aug. 3, 2012
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs, IL; Paper-making Workshop – Chicago Park District Staff; Aug. 10, 2012.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs, IL; Little Red School House Art Fair/Paper-making workshop; Oct. 7, 2012.
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Treewhispers Exhibition; January 14 through April 8, 2012.
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Awakening Your Heartfelt Connection to Trees; March 28, 2012.
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Handmade Paper Workshop; March 31, 2012.
Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI; Treewhispers Exhibition; October 22 – November 13, 2010.
Treewhispers participation through papermaking and writing presented by Rose Camastro-Pritchett at Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China, Summer 2010
Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper, Chicago, IL; June 9 – August 21 2010
Arbor Day Celebration at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL; April 24 – 26, 2009
Newberry Library, Treewhispers Exhibition & Chicago Calligraphy Collective’s Exploration 2009
North Central College, Naperville, IL, Letters Mingle Souls International Calligraphy Conference; July 19 – 26, 2008 
Papermaking in celebration of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL; Sunday, January 20, 2008
Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, Chicago, IL
Arbor Day Celebration with papermaking at The Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL; April 28, 29 & 30, 2006
Arbor Day Celebration with papermaking at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL; April 23 & 24, 2005
Arbor Day Celebration with papermaking at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL; April 30, May 1 & 2, 2004
Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration with papermaking at the Kohl Children’s Museum, Wilmette, IL; April 22 – 25, 2003
Arbor Day Celebration with papermaking at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL; April 26 & 27, 2003
Exhibit at Scott Foresman, 1900 E. Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL; June – August, 2003
Kohl Children’s Museum Exhibit at 65 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL; April 1 – May 19, 2003
Harper College, Palatine, IL; Sept. 30 – Oct. 25, 2002
Papermaking Workshop, Slide Lecture, Reception/Discussion at Harper College, Palatine, IL; 2002
Artist Book Space, 1422 West Irving Park, Chicago, IL; Treewhispers exhibition; 2001
Papermaking with children at the Garfield Park Conservatory Camp , Chicago, IL as seen on Channel 11, WTTW
Papermaking at the Arbor Day Celebration / Sunset Woods Park, Highland Park, IL
International Paper Day, Papermakers of Victoria, Inc (Australia) / Box Hill Community Arts Center, Victoria, Australia
Papermaking Demo for “It’s Wild in Chicago” at The Field Museum, Chicago, IL; 2001
Treewhispers Discussion for Bookmarks at Links Hall, Chicago, IL
Papermaking and Slide Exhibition at the Day of Renewal at South Bend Regional Museum of Art, South Bend, IN
