Convention 2010 Other Activities

Convention is a great way to get together with fellow enthusiasts for events and activities beyond those provided as part of the convention! On this page, you can find activities organized by members for members to take place at Convention. If you've got an announcement, send it to the website team at website [at] origamiusa.org and we'll add it to this list.

On this page:

• Fifth Annual Origami Artist Trading Card Swap
• Representational Design Challenge
• Oversize Folding Competition
• Unofficial Pre-Convention Paper Tour
• John Montroll Book-Signing on Friday

Fifth Annual Origami Artist Trading Card Swap

This year's ATC trade will be organized by Tamara Read, who says:

If you are interested in participating in the Artist Trading Card swap, I am asking that the cards be in groups of 26 in return you will receive 25 traded cards and one title card. This will allow the extra card for a display for the convention and will not be returned to you. You will not be limited to the number of sets you can do but I ask that each set have a different design. As people sign up you will be put on a list for each group of 25 that are received, for each group the title card will be different. Please email me at tamread [at] yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in the swap.

I will ask that you hand in or mail in your cards in sets of 26 in a plastic zip-lock bag - with an address sicker on the outside of the bag. Please place your cards in the plastic sleeves to protect your hard work and to ensure they are not damaged when swapped (or mailed). I will be in the exhibition area at 7pm on Friday night and Saturday until 2pm. If I receive your cards before the deadline you will be in the swap, if not you will have the opportunity to trade with anyone that has extra cards or is willing to trade with you. On Sunday we will meet for participants to pick up their cards, swap any extras that you might have or to take the time to look at the display after it is removed from the viewing area. I will let you know where we will meet by email or when you drop off your cards.

I will ask for anyone that would like to mail in their cards if you are not attending the convention or will not be attending Sunday night to mail me their cards by June 17th; if the cards are received by June 25th they will be traded. Please print your address clearly or send a return label to ensure that you receive your cards.

If you are interested in participating the requirements will be as follows:

• All cards must be 2 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches
• All trading cards must have origami on them or be folded (letter fold that results in a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 fold).
• I ask that all cards have the following information on the back of their card
• Name of person that folded
• email address

If you would like to add the following please feel free to do so:

• Numbered like edition or fine prints for example 1/25, 15/25 etc...
• Designer of the model that was used on the card
• Country/City of where you live
• Title of the card
• Date

If you are interested in participating please contact Tamara at tamread [at] yahoo.com.

Representational Design Challenge

For the past few years, several folders have participated in an informal "design challenge," in which each entrant attempts to compose a specified subject from a single uncut square. This year, the challenge topic is "Cars and Trucks." Entrants will have their own table at the exhibition, and the entries will go on to be shown at the Origami Tanteidan Convention in August. There are no prizes or awards (other than the respect of your peers, which is priceless).

Eligibility and Exhibition: Anyone can submit. Design your figure, fold it beautifully, then bring to to the OrigamiUSA Annual Convention, where it will be exhibited in a special area of the exhibition. It will then move on to the Japan Origami Academic Society Convention in August, and maybe one or two other places to boot. Bring only one (due to space limitations); if you've been truly inspired to design and fold a bunch of models, pick one for the challenge and put the rest into your personal display (for which you'll register through the regular Convention registration process).

You need to either bring your challenge model yourself or find someone to bring it for you. If you're willing for it to go on to the JOAS convention, we'll take care of it from there and there will be a permission slip to fill out at the exhibition (with your return address if you want it back). Furthermore, if you want it to go on to the Tanteidan convention, you must provide a container in which it can be packed and shipped. I recommend building a box from 1/2" foamcore and lining it with foam-rubber inserts to protect and cradle the artwork.

Prizes and Awards: Absolutely none. The purpose of this challenge is to stretch your own abilities and to see what others have done. (And have others see what you have done.)

OMGNYC (Origami Meetup Group) Oversized Folding Competition at OrigamiUSA Convention

The Oversize Folding Event on Sunday evening is being co-sponsored by OrigamiUSA and the OMGNYC (Origami Meet-up Group in New York CIty). For details click here.

Unofficial Pre-Convention Paper Tour

In the past, a tour of great places to buy paper in NYC was led by Rob Hudson, but unfortunately he will not be attending the Annual Convention in NYC this year. So in order to keep the tradition alive, Brian Webb is going to lead a tour on Friday June 25th. It will begin at 11:15am and starts outside FIT dorms (closest to 7th Ave). If you want to join the tour, please visit this website:

• Paper Tour Website

For further questions, please contact Brian Webb at origamiguy [at] gmail.com.

John Montroll Book-Signing at Kinokuniya on Friday

For those who want to see their origami artists "in the wild," internationally renowned origami author John Montroll will be appearing and signing books at Kinokuniya Bookstore on Friday, June 26 from 2 P.M to 3 P.M. as the OrigamiUSA kicks off. Download a flyer below. Kinokuniya Bookstore is located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas in New York City.

(And for those who prefer their origami authors "in captivity", see John at the convention itself this weekend!)