Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus librarian Christina Karvounis arranged a series of virtual workshops with the Japan Society in New York on September 18-19, including lessons on Sumi-e painting (black ink painting) and Kamishibai (Japanese paper theater).

Karvounis traveled to Japan last June as part of her Ottenstroer Fellowship, aiming to bring back lessons on storytelling, culture and connection as she works to build the cultural competencies of her students.

On her trip, she learned the meditative art form of Sumi-e painting, which originated in China and has been adapted in many countries in East Asia. Ponte Vedra Beach Campus fifth graders had the opportunity to learn about ink painting from the Japan Society and try their hand at the art form with guidance and encouragement from Karvounis. One student shared that the exercise was “way harder than it looked but it was really fun!”

Ponte Vedra Beach Campus third and fourth graders participated in a Kamishibai workshop the next day, also presented by the Japan Society, to learn more about the origins of this form of storytelling. Kamishibai uses illustrated boards and a wooden, stage-like device for narrators to place slides and switch between them as the story progresses. The Kamishibai stories in the Ponte Vedra Beach Campus library feature captivating, colorful illustrations and text in both English and Japanese.

Thank you to Karvounis and the Japan Society for offering our students these enriching, globally-focused workshops! #BollesPVB #BollesGlobal