Stop #6: 709 Foxboro-Stirling Road, Foxboro

Joanne Rich, Natural material lanterns

As a Chinese Canadian, making lanterns helps me connect with my culture because lanterns play a dominant role in all Chinese festivals and celebrations, such as Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Harvest Moon Festival, weddings, and even at funerals.

Creating with natural materials is my way of side stepping mass consumption, mass production, and corporate greed; while at the same time, discovering more about our overlooked natural environment. Instead of turning to the store for materials, I turn to my garden. Branches and vines are arranged into a unique form. Next, cotton strings are wrapped around the joints to fasten the lantern together. I make my own paper from plants, and attach it to the frame using wheat paste. In the final stage, the lantern is lit. The light, a symbol of truth, knowledge and guidance, shines through the materials, celebrating nature’s gift that surrounds us.

With a focus on sustainability, Joanne’s backyard has become the source for her materials. Branches are used to form the skeleton for her lanterns, and plants used for papermaking are grown for their fibers, mucilage, and colors. Joanne has
recently received a project grant from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Arts Council. With continued support from the Ontario Arts Council, she teaches papermaking and lantern making workshops in schools throughout Ontario.

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Email: joanne@sculptedlight.ca

Phone: 705-279-4824

Address: 709 Foxboro-Stirling Road, Foxboro, ON K0K 2B0