Welcome to

Guild of American Papercutters

We are North America’s organization…Guild of American Papercutters

  • to increase the awareness and appreciation of original papercutting art in the general public,
  • to promote fellowship among papercutters as they acquire and increase their cutting skills,
  • and to provide a professional environment for papercutters.

The Guild promotes original papercutting to and among papercutters, historians, supporters of the art, collectors, and the general public. It encourages knowledge of tradition and acceptance of exploration through its newsletter, traveling exhibits, a biennial papercutting conference called Collection, and members” workshops and demonstrations.

A Brief History

The Guild first met and organized on February 23, 1988, at the Hershey Museum of American Life in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Guild was established for members in the United States, but has grown to include members from Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It exchanges newsletters with the German, Dutch, and Swiss papercutting guilds.

GAP members range from amateur to professional papercutters, and from beginners to instructors. Some members do not cut at all, but collect papercutting art or research the many traditions of papercutting art. There are no jury requirements for members. Everyone is encouraged to start with the talents they have, simple or advanced, and grow in their technical and artistic skills as part of a papercutting community.

The Guild of American Papercutters has a growing membership, and welcomes you to join us as we further papercutting as a recognized artform. Members receive the newsletter, FirstCut, and are invited to attend the quarterly GAP meetings to meet other members, see new techniques, and learn how they can be a part of promoting papercutting art to future generations.

The Guild is tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The operation of the Guild of American Papercutters is accomplished entirely by volunteers, with no member or officer receiving any payment for their work.