The Blue Paper Research Consortium (BPRC) is pleased to announce a five-day intensive workshop dedicated to the history and manufacture of handmade blue paper.

Held at the Moulin du Verger, a working sixteenth-century papermill in the Charente region, near Angoulême, this workshop is a rare opportunity to bridge historical research with material practice. Participants will work alongside a team of specialists to explore pre-industrial papermaking and dyeing methods, drawing on years of interdisciplinary research into Western European blue paper.

Workshop Overview

This immersive program explores the manufacturing of Western European blue paper and its historical applications in European art. Participants will experiment with traditional techniques, preparing their own reference sheets with various coloring methods.

Objectives:

- Discovering traditional Western European papermaking techniques
- Preparing blue dyes from natural colorants
- Identifying papermaking- and dyeing techniques from samples
- Exploring the applications of blue paper by artists in Europe (prints, drawings, pastels, books) before 1800

Registration & Fees
Dates: August 3–7, 2026
Location: Moulin du Verger, Puymoyen, France
Cost: 1,300 EUR (Includes all workshop materials, excludes daily lunch at the mill, travel, dinner, and accommodation)
Capacity: Limited to 8 participants to ensure a high-quality learning experience.

Grant Opportunity: Supporting Diversity and Future Professionals
Through the generous support of the Tavolozza Foundation, we are proud to offer six full-tuition grants for the 2026 workshop.

The BPRC and the Tavolozza Foundation are committed to ensuring that specialized knowledge in historical paper technology remains accessible to a broad and inclusive community. These grants are intended to support graduate students, junior professionals, and colleagues from under-resourced institutions.

The program aims to:
- Expand Access to Specialized Knowledge: Provide emerging scholars and professionals with hands-on training in historical papermaking and dyeing techniques that are rarely accessible through conventional academic programs.
- Bridge the Resource Gap: Provide high-level professional development to those whose institutions may lack the funding for international specialized training.
- Empower Emerging Voices: Support the next generation of paper historians, conservators, and curators by providing direct access to master craftsmen and leading researchers.
- Enrich Scholarly Dialogue: Foster a diverse group of participants whose varied geographic, institutional, and cultural perspectives contribute to a richer exchange of ideas and research.

The grant includes:
Full workshop registration (€1,300 value)
Daily lunch at the mill

Grant recipients are responsible for travel, accommodation, and dinners.

How to Apply for the Grant

Please submit:
- Motivation letter explaining how the workshop will benefit your research or professional practice
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)

Application deadline: April 15, 2026

Applications should be sent to:
Leila Sauvage – leila.sauvagegmail.com
Edina Adam – EAdamgetty.edu
Please include “Blue Paper Workshop Grant Application” in the subject line.

Standard Registration
In addition to the funded places, two (2) standard registration spots are available at the fee of €1,300.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, please contact:
Leila Sauvage – leila.sauvagegmail.com
Edina Adam – EAdamgetty.edu