November 15, 2025 8:30 - 11:30 AM
(Lunch provided after the workshop)
In-person at the University of Pittsburgh, Main Campus at Hillman Library (Room 340)
Since originating in China and then spreading across East Asia, woodblock printing has both enabled the creation of some of the region’s most iconic images as well as the transmission of beliefs, histories, and culture from the past to the present.
This free, in-person NCTA workshop for K-12 educators will highlight how the production practices and processes in the creation of woodblock printing impacted the development of East Asian civilizations and how those techniques can be harnessed to better “imprint” on our students a deeper understanding and connection with the past.
This workshop will include an overview of the history and practice of Japanese woodblock printing, will explore examples of different East Asian forms of woodblock prints in Pitt’s library archives, and will give participants a hands-on experience of creating woodblock prints using both traditional techniques and 3D printing and scanning technologies in Pitt’s Text & ConText Lab maker space. Join us as we explore the ways K-12 educators can integrate and recreate traditional prints and printmaking skills from Japan, China, and Korea into their classrooms.
Workshop Schedule (subject to change)
- 8:30-9:30am: Dr. Brenda G. Jordan, Japanese Print Specialist on “Shared Knowledge and Common Understanding: Japan’s Woodblock Print Industry (1600-1900)”
- 9:30-10:15am: East Asian Library's Runxiao Zhu and Hiro Good on the prints and printed materials collections in the University of Pittsburgh's University Library System.
- 10:30-11:30am: Hands on workshop in the Text & conText Lab with Center for Creativity and Open Lab
- 11:30am-1pm: Lunch at MARAAS conference
This workshop coincides with the annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Association for Asian Studies Conference (MARAAS) hosted this year at the University of Pittsburgh. Participants will receive complimentary registration to attend the conference as well as the Saturday banquet lunch. Free parking will also be provided. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and Pennsylvania educators can also receive Act 48 hours.
This workshop is a collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh NCTA, Asian Studies Center, East Asian Library & Open Lab at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System, and The Center for Creativity at Pitt.
