Past Exhibits...

• Strange Papers and Cool Paper Machine Models (Oct 1 - Dec 31, 2008)
Savor the amazing textures and colors in handmade paper created from very unique raw materials by artisans from around the world. From bananas to feathers, carrots to blue jeans– these strange raw materials make for incredibly strange papers. Observe the detail and workmanship in a number of fascinating paper machine models. Learn more about the paper making process as scaled replicas portray various steps and equipment. click here for more details

• Bound to Surprise: Temporary Art Exhibit (April 1 - May 31, 2008)
An exhibit exploring the definition of the word book. Each artist in the exhibit created works of art within the guidelines of the definition of a book, bringing their own personal experiences and using a variety of ideas, materials and media. Click here for more details.

• Paper In The Victorian Era (June 9 - Aug 31, 2007)
The Paper Discovery Center joined with area museums to celebrate science during the Victorian Era. The Paper Discovery Center hosted a new exhibit featuring a variety of developments in paper from 1837 to 1901: the Columbian paper machine built for the 1893 World 's Fair, invention of the machine to make flat-bottomed paper bags by Margaret Knight, the growth of the paper industry in the Fox Valley, and solving paper crimes like Sherlock Holmes, and more. Special activities were offered throughout the summer to bring the story of paper during the Victorian Era alive for visitors.

• Fiberscapes: Experiencing Paper in 3D
Fiberscapes: Experiencing Paper in 3D is dedicated to exploring one of the earliest technologies and art forms, papermaking. Wear anaglyphic 3D glasses and walk into the virtual paper world, a darkened room with continually changing projections of 3D paper fibers. Become part of a sheet of paper as you discover, experience, and move with the 3D fiber images that change around you.

Also accompanying the 3D immersive installation is a touring art exhibit that consists of handmade paper made from a variety of plant fibers, including silk, cattails, cornhusks, and barrel cactus. Selected handmade sheets are also exhibited in 3D. Use your 3D glasses to explore these unique papers. The tiny plant fibers mirror delicate brushstrokes, resembling abstract oil paintings.

Fiberscapes: Experiencing Paper in 3D is based out of the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. See: The Paper Project.


• The Open Book Peace Project ...made its stop at the Paper Discovery Center April 5th May 29th, 2005. The Open Book Peace Project (OBPP) uses art as a forum to discuss and explore peace and related social issues. Through peace discussions and hands-on activities including writing and drawing pages, bookbinding and hand papermaking, the project invites people to examine the meaning of peace in their lives and the world around them and to share their ideas through the OBPP book.

When at the PDC, the OBPP book contained more than 700 pages contributed by individuals from Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and points beyond.  All pages are of handmade paper, made from 100% cotton clothing.  The book is growing at a rate of 2 pages per day. 

Learn more about the project at http://www.openbookpeaceproject.com.

During Paper Jam, the PDC begain its own ongoing story. See here for the current version of
Paper Jam's Continuous Story, which will be continued next year at the 2006 Paper Jam event.

Special thanks to our sponsors: ThedaCare; Willems & Company, Inc.; George P. Mueller and our contributing partners: ArtsBridge America; Fox Cities-Kurgan Sister Cities, Inc.; Great Northern Corporation; Metso Paper; Office Depot; Paper Creations; Wingate Inn.

Click here to download our Open Book Peace Project Educational Resources (a Word document).


• Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Making of Coated Paper
Did you know that 95% of the surface of today’s paper is actually minerals?   Yes, paper is more than just fibers and water.  Vistors to Paper Discover Center learned how minerals are used to coat papers to enhance brightness, opacity, gloss, print gloss, porosity and smoothness.; explore how minerals were prepared for use in the paper industry; and viewed a scale model of Appleton’s #17 Coater to see how they make the coated paper and board we make use of every day.