Hillsborough Library To Highlight Traditional Asian Block Printing, Origami

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Library branch will feature artwork from “Welcome Neighbor: Sharing Cultural Art Traditions II,” a touring biennial art exhibition displaying different indigenous-art traditions by diverse artists through the month of March.

The display will include artwork by Shanti Jain and Joy Ann Cabanos, among others.

Shanti Jain is an Asian Indian folk artist who specializes in traditional Indian arts and crafts, Indian cooking, and teaching Indian languages. She grew up in a family with a very long tradition, of many generations, involved in block printing and she learned this traditional craft through association with them. The two traditional Batik pieces, as well as the 13 hand-printed traditional sanganeri prints are her personal creations and contributions to the Welcome Neighbor exhibition.

Joy Ann Cabanos is a Philippine American professional artist and experienced art instructor. She paints and works in origami. She has taught workshops and school programs for adults and children in New Jersey since 2010. She had a solo exhibit at Galeria West in Westfield as well as three solo exhibits internationally. The traditional Philippine Parol and the colorful origami wreath are her personal traditional creations and contributions to the Welcome Neighbor exhibition.

• Discover Traditional Asian Block Printing

March 11, 10 a.m. - noon (children ages 8-12) & 1-3 p.m. (teens and adults)

Shanti Jain will teach participants about sanganeri, a traditional form of Asian block printing. Enjoy a hands-on experience and take away a piece of this traditional art form that you create.

• Discover Traditional Origami

March 18, 10-11:30 a.m. (children ages 8-12) & noon-1:30 p.m. (teens and adults)

Joy Ann Cabanos will teach participants about origami, the Asian art of paper folding. Enjoy a hands-on experience and take away a piece of this traditional art form that you create.These indigenous art exhibition and public arts outreach workshops are made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, through the State/County Local Arts Program Grant administered for Somerset County by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Registration is required to attend these programs. To register, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch.

The Hillsborough Library branch is located at 379 S. Branch Rd. in Hillsborough.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.