Thanks Ben for sharing the adventures of your
journey into origami. I enjoyed learning about your experiences and appreciation for math and art and how it connects to our world. I share your perspective and teach math and geometry
thru origami for grades K-8 at: http://www.mathinmotion.com

May the fold be with you ; )

Like Ben Coleman’s unfolding adventure into Origami, I have spent my life in an unfolding adventure in paper hand puppetry. A chapter of this adventure played out recently when I, having no advanced degree, was invited by the OECD to present original papers on my paper ‘play language’ and the neurophysiology of hand puppetry.

But the most meaningful ripple of this work impacts the hearts and minds of teachers and kids alike when they begin speaking this language and make play integral to the way they communicate and share experience in the classroom. The change brought about by puppetry and play is described firsthand by teachers in journals published on my website.

This is potentially important in a world in which education has become a stuck in its own culture that, ironically, has learned how best to resist change and cling to its comfort zone. In an age focused myopically on technology and gaming is touted as the next big thing in education, a simple paper ‘media’ injects play past the walls and turns classrooms into thriving habitats. Paper puppetry reinvented as a mass media has the potential to root and grow a truly humanized and joyful learning culture in the soil of play. Here is an audio of how this adventure originally unfolded.
http://www.puppetools.com/library/swf/puppetools_origins.html

It is a thrill to see Ben's lovely products online. I watched him do a workshop and I was impressed and touched not only by the beauty of his creations but how they inform and enhance his sense of well being.

You invite your listeners to leave comments about their art so I do and you ignore my comment!
Thanks, I won't waste my time again!

Bens paper flowers are beautiful !
I discovered paper art in my 50's.
I make life size paper mache dogs and cats and whatever strikes my fancy. I have sold some, given some to charity, and also given as gifts.
It's amazing what one can do with paper !
If you would like to see my critters my website is:
http://pupart.1hwy.com/

What struck me most was the sincerity of Mr. Coleman's message. The very last line he spoke was that without the art he may have lost his mind. This very simple statement is profound. Out of necessity and passion Mr. Coleman has created a life that inspires others to delve deep within themselves and find the courage to step out side of the box. Mr. Coleman has certainly inspired me to seek out his work and find what inspires me from the inside out. Thank you.

Check out more of Ben's amazing work at www.benagami.com and www.origamibonsai.org!