March 2008 Newsletter

Featured Archive Item: Der Papier Drachen in Japan
Another easily overlooked gem in the Drachen Foundation’s collection is the 1914 German pamphlet, Der Papier Drachen in Japan. Including photographs, drawings and twelve color plates showing 31 kites and a scene of a festival, this document provides information that even a non-Germanspeaker can understand and find interest in. Read More

Researcher Visits Old Dutch Kite
The beginning of 2008 saw for the Drachen Foundation visiting researcher Thom Shanken in the office to find out more about Peter Lynn’s “Old Dutch Kite.” Shanken, with avid interest both in kites and the American colonial period, has spent much time in the study of paper artifacts related to this time period. Having learned about the kite through the DF Kite Journal, Shanken contacted DF in the fall of 2007 with the desire to spend time at the study center in serious analysis of the artifact. Read More.

2008 Historical Kite Conference
Yearly, a group of historical kite enthusiasts throughout Europe hold a weekend conference and workshop. For those interested in the historical use and construction of kites, this conference is not one to miss. This year’s conference boasts a trip to the Zepplin Museum in Friedrichafen, Germany. Read More.

Rev Up to Uchinada
In order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Revolution sport kite, precision sport kite team iQuad will be guests at the Japan Kite Association’s annual festival in Uchinada, Japan. Read More.

DF Featured on Electronic Field Trip
This spring, Drachen Foundation is to be featured in an Electronic Field Trip about the Smithsonian Kite Festival. Through this Electronic Field Trip, students will be able to view festival kites, make their own kite and learn about the math and science princlples involved along the way. Read More.

New Product: Origami Paper Kites

Calendar

April

 
1 st
Exhibition of art kites opens at Western Montana University, Dillon, Montana
Sky Art:The art kites of Jose Sainz, Scott Skinner and Nobuhiko Yoshizumi The Artist and the Kite Maker: The Painterly Kites of Nancy Kiefer and Greg Kono lecture, demonstrations, and workshops with Scott Skinner and Nobuhiko Yoshizumi. Contact: Eva Mastrandrea
10-12
Arts: Japanese Kites
Utah Teacher Education—250 area teachers work with traditional Japanese kites in the classroom. Scott Skinner and Nobuhiko Yoshizumi
Community Kite Workshops celebrating Japanese Culture.
Contract: Etsuko Freeman
13
Brolly Arts, Salt Lake City, Utah
Fighter kite workshop with Scott Skinner
Contact: Amy McDonald Sanger
27
Sanislo Elementary, Seattle, “West Seattle Reads”
Kite workshops in conjunction with the reading of
The Emperor and the Kite
Greg Kono and Nobuhiko Yoshizumi
Contact: Maryann Horsley, Sanislo Library

May

 
4th
Japanese Gardens, Portland Oregon “Children’s Day” workshop
Greg Kono and Nobuhiko Yoshizumi
Koi Kite for Children
Contact: Diana Snell
27-6/4
Rev up to Uchinada/Aomori, Japan
The 20th Anniversary of the Rev Kite!
Make History with Drachen and Rev Enterprises
Demonstations, Contests, free Rev lessons with the Rev team, iquad
Contact: Masaaki Modegi 
20-6/1
Annual Wildwood Kite Festival, Wildwood New Jersey
DF sponsors kite workshops with Lindsey Johnson and Ronda Brewer
Contact: Beatrix Pelton 

August

 
22-24
Rev Up to Portsmouth, Portsmouth Kite Festival. England
Contact: Jon and Gill Bloom
28-31
Rev Up to Bristol—Bristol Kite Festival., England
http://www.kite-festival.org.uk
Contact: Ben Dantonio - Avril Baker

October

 
28-11/2
Day of the Dead Celebration, Oaxaca, Mexico
The Spirits and Kites will fly in honor of the 20th anniversary of Francisco Toledo’s Art Foundation, IAGO
And the 10th anniversary of the St. Augustine Paper Factory
For participation register on line with Drachen.