Cut out to make two squares. “FLorigami” Turtle These instructions will help you fold a paper turtle, called a FLorigami turtle. This design is for a soft-shelled turtle found in many parts of Florida, including the Florida Everglades. The shell of this type of turtle is soft, not hard. It has been chosen to represent the endangered Everglades because it is symbolic of long life, of longevity. We wish long life and good health to the Florida Everglades. Origami is a traditional Japanese paper folding craft. Because this is a turtle found in Florida, we call this Florida origami, or FLorigami. We hope that you and others will fold 1,000 FLorigami turtles which will join with those made by many different people to create 10,000 origami soft-shelled turtles. You may make two turtles, one to keep and one to contribute to the project. When you fold your FLorigami turtle, think and hope for a long life for the Florida Everglades environment. FLorigami is a project of origami artist Michael G. LaFosse and The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. Michael LaFosse began creating 25 original origami paper sculptures in his Origamido studio in Haverhill, Massachusetts. LaFosse, a biologist by training and a paper-folding master who has exhibited his delicate origami all over the world, visited Palm Beach County over the course of 1 year, to observe, sketch and fold plants and animals from the Florida Everglades ecosystem. While in town, he led workshops at The Morikami’s Origami Extravaganza, as well as in schools, and other local events to teach students the arts of paper-making and origami folding. LaFosse’s origami sculptures, specially created for The Morikami, depict the flora and fauna of the Everglades with all the variations of size, color and form. The show is intended to increase public awareness of the plight of the Everglades by educating visitors about the threatened species that make their home there and how they are connected to one another. For more information about The Morikami Museum and Japanese gardens, its exhibitions and programs, call 561-495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org Location: 4000 Morikami Park Rd Delray Beach, FL. 33446 Hours of Operations: 10 a.m.—5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sunday Origami Alligator Designed and folded by Michael LaFosse from a single 5-by-5 foot square of hand-made paper. Approximate folding time 50 hrs. The alligator was 17-inches long. Origami Whooping Crane Designed and folded by Michael LaFosse from a single 5-foot square sheet of handmade paper. The crane stands approximately 16” tall. Origami Manatees Designed and folded by Michael LaFosse from a single squares of handmade paper, 15” & 8”. The mother manatee is approximately 9” long and each took approximately 2 hrs to fold. Origami Florida Panther Designed and folded by Michael LaFosse from a single 2-foot square sheet of handmade paper colored with iron oxide. The mask took 2 hrs to fold and stands approximately 9” tall. Origami Ghost Orchid Designed and folded by Michael LaFosse from a single 10-inch square sheet of handmade paper that was then pigmented with titanium dioxide. The orchid took hours to fold and is approximately 4” long.