For Artists/Art Students

Anke Sauer of Germany Kiyomi Okawa

Frank Schwiemann of Germany Kiyomi Okawa

Robert Trepanier with students Greg Kono

For Artists

The Drachen Foundation creates opportunities for experienced artists to marry their art to the sculptural forms of kites and for kite makers to work with unfamiliar media (often paper). Emerging kite makers are also supported in developing their skills. Workshops and residencies are offered periodically, sometimes in conjunction with special projects or festivals around the world. Watch “What's New at DF” for upcoming workshops.

Read accounts of past workshops and residencies

• WINDART Kite Residency (New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 2003)
• Paper Kite Artists in Residency (Panama Hotel, Seattle, 2003)
• Kapa, Washi, Paper Conference (Honolulu, 2003)
• Fort Worden Kitemakers Conference (Port Townsend, Washington, 2002)

For Art Students

The Drachen Foundation partners with art schools around the world to introduce art students to the attractions and challenges of building kites. Leading artists who have worked in the medium of kites teach design and composition: this account of a residency at Colorado University with artist Stuart Allen details ways in which these workshops can be adapted to encompass study of art history, environmental art, and design skills. Students complete an art kite project under the direction of the DF kite artist (two-day workshop; at least four hours each day) and may also design and build art kites of their own design (three- to five-day workshops; at least four hours each day). For further information on costs and availability, e-mail information@drachen.org.

Read accounts of past workshops

• University of Missouri/Stephens College workshop (2003)
• Academy of Fine Arts Vienna/Hungarian University of Craft and Design workshop (2003)

The Drachen Foundation also mentors individual art students (BFA, pursuing MFA) to apply their talents to kite making. E-mail Administrator Ali Fujino (information@drachen.org) for information.