Sonja Lehman, a Greenwood paper artist, cuts pieces of paper on Aug. 25 at the Greenwood Public Library in advance of time as the library’s Maker in Residence in September. Lehman is offering a special program in February and March for older adults at the Southside Art League making Zhen Xian Bao, a Chinese folk art.
DAILY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
The intricate folds and beautiful designs belie a simple use.
For generations of people, the Chinese folk art of Zhen Xian Bao took specially made paper and turned it into a utilitarian container common in people’s homes. The ingenious folded paper containers hold everything from sewing supplies to family photographs to personal memorabilia.
Paper artist Sonja Lehman hopes that in teaching its artistry, she can not only foster creativity but grow self-confidence and build social connections for older adults.
“They can work in small groups and connect, interact, share about what they’re doing with each other. And hopefully, build some relationships that way — as well as creating a fun piece of art,” she said.
Lehman will be presenting her program, “The Magic of the Zhen Xian Bao: Chinese Thread Box,” for adults 65 and older in the Johnson County area throughout February and March. She was chosen as one of 35 artists in Indiana to provide a Creative Aging Program, using art as a tool to better the lives of local seniors.
Participants will learn all about Zhen Xian Bao, discovering how to fold paper to make a unique pouch. At the program, participants will display their work in a special exhibition at the Southside Art League.
For Lehman, sharing her skill and knowledge to bring joy to older adults is an exciting prospect.
“I enjoy teaching and sharing things that I’ve learned how to do, and I think there’s a lot of interest in it. The people who have registered are really excited about it, and it will be a lot of fun for me,” she said. “There’s a lot of personal reward in being able to teach about this art form, to help people with the process of creating it, and think about how they might put their own mark on it.”
The Chicago native had worked as a museum librarian at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago for five years before relocating to Greenwood, joining the Indiana University library faculty as the director of Herron Art Library, where she has been ever since.
Through her role at the Herron Art Library, Lehman has helped develop the artists’ books collection. The artistry behind those books appealed to her. She started seeking out workshops where she could work with other paper artists and expand her own skills. Lehman took a sabbatical from her role at the Herron Art Library to earn a certificate in the book arts, and has been exploring the style ever since.
Lehman has been featured in exhibitions at the Southside Art League, and in September, was named to the role of Maker in Residence at the Greenwood Public Library.
Through her work, she learned about the Indiana Arts Commission’s Lifelong Arts 2023 Artist Training Cohort. Lifelong Arts Indiana is a partnership between the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Aging and the Indiana Arts Commission.
The program is a learning opportunity for artists and aging services providers to develop their skills in providing creative experiences for older adults. Participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide impactful creative experiences for older adults, ages 65 and older, and provide access to the funds to help make it happen, according to the commission.
Research from “The Creativity and Aging Study: The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults,” by Dr. Gene D. Cohen shows that participation in activities that foster creative engagement and skills mastery in a social environment has positive psychological, physical, and emotional health benefits for older adults.
That goal appealed to Lehman.
“As we age, we tend to isolate for whatever reason. They’ve found, as they’ve done research, that isolation has a direct negative impact on our mental and physical health. So they’re really trying to push this program across the country, to help give people a better quality of life mentally and physically,” she said.
After learning about the Lifelong Arts 2023 Artist Training Cohort from the Indiana Arts Commission, Lehman applied and drafted a proposal for what her project would be.
Lehman opted to center her program on Zhen Xian Bao, which she had already taught classes on.
“I love the art form and thought it might lend itself to a sequential program, which is what the Arts Commission and Lifetime Arts was looking for,” she said. “One of the requirements of the program is that your creative program, whether it was music, dance, visual art, had to be sequential. You had to be able to build upon one session to another.”
In November, Lehman was one of 35 artists chosen for the training cohort. Programs range from weaving to drum circles to poetry to filmmaking.
Over the course of the eight-week program, participants will create their own Zhen Xian Bao with boxes, trays and folders, increasing their skill and adding new layers each session. People could come in each time and build on the skills they developed prior.
”I know there might be some challenges for some people; if their hands are arthritic, it might be difficult to fold. But since I’ll be there with them to help with whatever they need, this seemed like such an approachable type of art form,” she said.
Cost of the program is $110 for the entire eight-week run, and the workshop is capped at 10 people.
At the end, Lehman has planned an exhibition, kicked off with an opening reception on April 5. She also plans to take photographs of the participants working each session, and then blow those photos up to display next to their completed Zhen Xian Bao as part of the exhibit.
“They can walk away with something they can be really proud of that they had made,” Lehman said.
AT A GLANCE
The Magic of the Zhen Xian Bao: Chinese Thread Box
What: An art learning experience for older adults that teaches participants about the centuries old Chinese folk tradition Zhen Xian Bao.
Who: Greenwood paper artist Sonja Lehman
When: 1-3 p.m. every Thursday from Feb. 8-March 28
Where: Southside Art League, 299 E. Broadway St., Greenwood
Reception: At the end of the course participants will enjoy a culminating event with a reception and a month-long exhibit of their completed works. The opening reception will be held April 5, and the exhibit will run through April 28.
Cost: $110, which includes all supplies and tools.
How to register: Register online at https://square.link/u/Gxc9yzCH?src=sheet. A link can also be found on the Southside Art League Facebook page,
Questions: Contact Lehman at [email protected] or at (317) 508-2074.
