Coda Paper Art Jewellery Challenge. Beyond the Page

From small objects and jewellery to life-size installations, collages, sculptures to stop-motion films, all made of paper and cardboard. The twelfth edition of CODA Paper Art brings it all together and can be seen from 25 May to 2 November 2025 at CODA Museum in Apeldoorn. This biennial exhibition, this time with the work of 33 artists from the Netherlands and abroad, portrays current developments in the field of paper art. Sustainability, identity, migration and the seemingly endless possibilities of artisanal and modern techniques are recurring themes in the exhibition.


CODA ExperienceLab x CODA Paper Art
CODA ExperienceLab is a platform for talent development, where craft, innovation and art come together. It offers space for young and old, professionals, students and interested parties to discover, learn and create. The ExperienceLab includes a Showroom in CODA Museum and innovation labs in CODA Central Library, including hubs for recycling, fashion, biodesign and VR. During CODA Paper Art, CODA ExperienceLab offers inspiration for an innovative and sustainable approach to paper. In the Showroom, an installation is presented with machines that show how paper has been used, processed and applied in recent decades. In addition, CODA ExperienceLab is mapping the recycling of paper.


Join the Beyond the Page jewellery challenge
CODA invites art and design students to explore the boundaries of material and form. From April 14 to May 8, you will have the opportunity to design an exclusive piece of jewellery, consisting of completely white, unprinted paper. The winning designs will be exhibited in the Showroom of CODA ExperienceLab during CODA Paper Art. For the challenge, think in terms of structures, light and texture. How do you transform paper into a unique wearable work of art? Experiment with cutting, folding, tearing, and fragmenting to create innovative shapes and sophisticated details. Minimalist or monumental, architectural versus organic, daring or delicate? This is your chance to experiment and make a statement in contemporary jewellery design! Ready to redefine the essence of design? Challenge accepted! 


- Step 1: Create a wearable sculpture from white, unprinted paper
Design a piece of jewellery that is not only wearable, but also makes a powerful visual statement. This can be a brooch, ring, necklace, crown, badge, hatpin, hair ornament, earring or diadem – the shape is completely free. Immerse yourself in different types of paper and choose the material that best suits your concept. Be inspired by structure, light and technology to realize a unique and refined design.

- Step 2: title and description Come up with a catchy title that reflects your design. In addition, write a short explanation (max. 100 words) about how you came up with this piece of jewellery. Describe your choice of materials, your research, and the reason behind the title. Please note: in case of a win, this text, possibly shortened, will be used in the exhibition. So make sure you have a clear and inspiring description!

- Step 3: Imagery Take photos of the work and submit a maximum of three photos. The purpose of the photos is for the jury to be able to properly assess your work remotely without seeing the work in real life. So make the jewellery look nice, take into account lighting, composition, etc. You can also photograph the jewellery on a model. Please note: if you submit multiple photos, make sure that the photos differ from each other in such a way that they contribute to a good picture of your jewellery. Give your photos these names: yourname_1, yourname_2 and yourname_3.

- Step 4: hand it in! Send an email with the title of the work, the description and the photos (maximum three) to innovatie@coda-apeldoorn.nl and clearly state your first name, last name, date of birth, school, course/study and year. Hand in your work no later than 8 May 2025. After this date, the jury will deliberate. The judging will take place between 12 and 15 May. A total of 20 pieces will be selected and presented in the Showroom of CODA ExperienceLab during the exhibition period of CODA Paper Art. During this period, the public votes for a favorite. Voting is possible from 25 May to 25 August.

- Step 5: your work to CODA. The participants whose work is selected are responsible for their own transport from the work to and from CODA. The document must be sent before May 22. This can be done, for example, by parcel post. CODA will contact you about this after the selection has taken place. When your work has been selected to be exhibited at CODA, we will ask you to sign a loan agreement. By submitting your photos for participation, you give CODA permission to use them for communication purposes about this challenge. Including mention on the website and social media channels. CODA only uses the photos of works that have been selected.

- Step 6: the winner! The final challenge winner will be determined via the public voting round (see step 4). This winner will receive a € 250 cash prize and an exclusive day in the CODA ExperienceLab's making space.