This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.
Katy Bayless grew up loving to fold paper and after routinely going to Portland’s origami club and trying to convince some of her Salem friends to join her, she wondered ‘why can’t we do one in Salem?”
The Salem Origami Club , founded by Bayless, started to take shape in 2009. The club first met paper and craft store Paper Zone, before the company closed in 2012. They next met in the Book Bin East and later Ike Box . Then Salem Multicultural Institute reached out and suggested a partnership, saying the origami club fit their mission.
The meets there on the second Monday of every month. There are no dues and no previous experience is required.
The club has participated in the annual Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol for the last three years and hosted a class during the 2024 World Beat Festival .
Every participant receives the opportunity to teach, centered around a theme.