Upcoming
Origami Meditation Workshop
June 21, Saturday, 2 PM – 4 PM
Hunneman Hall - Brookline Library
(Brookline Village),
361 Washington St, Brookline, MA
For ages 13 and up | Free admission
Join us for a unique Origami Meditation Workshop, where mindful folding meets self-reflection. Through guided meditation and brain exercises, you'll engage in a calming creative process, transforming simple paper into meaningful expressions.
At the end of the workshop, install your origami creation on the Whispering Wall, a participatory art installation where personal stories, emotions, and thoughts come together.
You can be a whisperer, a folder, or both. Each folded piece or written message becomes a whisper, weaving a collective tapestry of voices that transcend time, language, and personal struggles.
No prior experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to create.
Whispering Wall is a participatory art installation where individual stories, emotions, and thoughts are expressed through written messages or origami creations. As these pieces are added to the wall, they form a collective tapestry of voices, symbolizing connection, healing, and shared human experience. Each folded paper or written word becomes a whisper, contributing to a larger dialogue that transcends barriers of time, language, and personal struggle.
You may write
A thought, a memory, or a quiet whisper—gently carried and reshaped into a butterfly, a camellia, or another origami symbol of hope and resilience. Each fold is a step in transformation, a reminder that no story exists alone. Together, these delicate forms create a shared tapestry of connection, healing, and hope.
Learn Origami
Join our in-person and Zoom workshops to fold with intention, improve your origami skills, and share stories in a mindful space.
Want to host a workshop? Invite us—we’d love to bring the experience to you.
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You may fold
You may fold—a butterfly, a camellia—symbols of resilience and hope, shaped with intention and care. Start simple or challenge yourself, folding at your own pace.
But you don’t have to fold words. Whether you’re new to origami or have years of experience, this practice invites mindfulness, focus, and quiet reflection.
With each fold, paper becomes art, thoughts take shape, and stillness turns into creation. Join us in folding, learning, and sharing—one butterfly, one camellia, one story at a time.
Origami is more than just an art form—it is a practice of mindfulness, patience, and presence. The act of folding paper with intention creates a moment of stillness, allowing the mind to focus and the body to engage in a rhythmic, meditative process.
Studies have shown that engaging in hands-on creative activities, such as origami, can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote emotional well-being. The repetitive, structured movements encourage a sense of calm, making it an effective tool for practicing mindfulness.
When folding a crane, a camellia, or any other shape, you are invited to slow down and be present in the moment. Each crease, each fold, becomes an opportunity to breathe, reflect, and connect with your thoughts and emotions in a gentle and non-judgmental way.
Origami reminds us that even a simple piece of paper can be transformed into something meaningful—just as small moments of mindfulness can bring balance, clarity, and inner peace.
Mindfulness, Peace
A single sheet of paper holds endless possibilities.
No matter your skill level, you can be part of this journey. Whether you're new to origami or an experienced folder, you can learn and create at your own pace. Start with simple folds or challenge yourself with intricate designs like the camellia. Each fold is an act of storytelling, a way to connect past and present through hands and paper.
Creation
Connected
The Whispering Wall is a bridge—a space where past and present meet, and where people connect through shared gestures of reflection and creation.
Origami is more than an art form; it is a language of connection. Each folded crane or camellia carries a thought, a memory, or a wish, linking individuals across time and space. Whether through writing, folding, or simply witnessing the stories of others, every act of participation becomes part of a shared tapestry of voices.
By joining this journey, you help turn quiet moments into meaningful exchanges, ensuring that stories, traditions, and expressions of hope continue to be shared and remembered.
Take on the 43 Pieces Camellia Challenge
Honor the memory of Jeju 4.3 and all innocent lives lost to injustice by folding 43 camellia flowers—a quiet act of remembrance and hope. The camellia flower is a symbol of resilience and remembrance. It blooms even in the cold, and when it falls, it remains whole—just like the lives we honor. Folding is more than creation; it is an act of memory, a tribute to those who can no longer speak, and a call for peace—one fold at a time.
How to Participate
Learn to fold camellias in a guided session or follow our online instructions to fold at home.
Fold at Home – Follow our online instructions and complete the challenge on your own.
Share Your Work – Send your camellias for our exhibit or post with #Jeju43Origami
Tag us & use #Jeju43Origami
Voices from Our Whisperers and Folders
I never knew folding paper could be so calming. The butterfly I made now sits by my window, reminding me to slow down.
Anonymous Whisperer
It’s like a workout for both the hands and the mind. The focus, the patience. it’s meditative but also keeps me sharp
Grace, 74
I made a butterfly! It was fun folding with everyone, and I want to make more.
Leo, 8
This is more than just origami. Folding together, sharing quiet moments, and knowing our stories are woven into something bigger. that’s what makes it meaningful.”
Olivia, 29
I didn’t write anything, but as I folded, I felt like something inside me was speaking. Seeing others fold made me feel less alone.
Anonymous Whisperer
I wrote a letter to my late father. I folded it, and it became a butterfly—one that will take flight among others, carrying stories of life and loss.
Anonymous Whisperer
I wrote a message of hope and left it behind, unsure of who would find it. But knowing that someone else would read it, fold it, and carry it forward made me feel connected in a way I didn’t expect.
Jen, 32
In recovery, this became a coping skill for me. Using my hands and mind together felt grounding, and after repeating the folds a few times, my body just knew what to do. It was an incredible experience—one that helped me focus in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time
James
As I folded 43 camellias, I reflected on justice, recovery, and the hope for a world where innocent lives are no longer lost to war. Each fold felt like a quiet prayer for peace
Isabella, 41
Frequently asked questions
Contact us
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Invite Us – Request a seminar, origami workshop, or lecture on Jeju 4.3 for your school, organization, or community event.
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Partner With Us – We would love to connect if you are interested in collaborating on research, advocacy, or cultural projects.
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General Inquiries – Have a question about our work? Want to get involved? Feel free to reach out!
Support Our Work:
Help Keep Memory Alive
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and everything we do—workshops, exhibitions, and community projects—is made possible through donations.
Your support is more than a gift. It allows us to continue creating spaces for remembrance, healing, and connection. Every contribution helps provide materials, organize events, and reach more people who want to fold, reflect, and share in this act of collective memory.
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