Having carefully learned the craft under the sage guidance of Professor Xiaoguang Qiao from China and Norwegian artist Karen Bit Vejle, local artists are now ready to breathe life – and fire – into their own paper-cut dragon.

As part of the Skipton Art Series, the work aims to ignite a huge community outreach programme with both school children and the general public. The artists – Abi Overland, Anna Shipley, Ben Robertson, Joanna Brown, Karen Le Roy Harris, Lizi Hill and Maria Tarrant – will also contribute their own delicate works, as well as leading community workshops throughout 2017.

The resulting masterpieces – a collection of works by artists, students and the greater community – will later be showcased in celebratory exhibition, ‘Paper Talks’.

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Pictured: Professor Xiaoguang Qiao, who shared his creative talents with Island artists.

Jim Coupe, Managing Director of Skipton International said: “The Paper Talks outreach programme is a great way for people in Jersey to learn the skills of papercutting from local artists who have been trained by world experts in the art. Skipton International is delighted to help support this project, and we look forward to seeing the end result – Jersey’s first community produced paper dragon.”

Also supporting will be the Jersey Decorative and Fine Arts Society, who will help to engage 21 schools in the initiative, as well as the One Foundation.

One Foundation Council Member Rod McLoughlin added: “Paper Dialogues created a real buzz at the Town Hall. Now we’re looking forward to the next phase of the project when we hope as many people as possible will want to join in the workshops, meet others with a similar interest, develop a new talent and, in the process, make their own contribution to the next exhibition.”

Follow the Jersey Arts Trust on Twitter or visit their website to learn more.