Zulay Sayalero is a British-Venezuelan chemical engineer. Read on for Zulay’s story of how she came to be involved with origami and BOS…

When did you first join BOS and why?

In 2010, as a patient in a mental health ward, I rediscovered the art of Origami. I was 34 years old and with no previous history of mental health issues in my entire life. Whilst in the ward, I remembered folding an Origami frog as a child. In a short time, I had a frog jumping around the table. The patients there quickly asked me to fold a jumping frog for them, to which I replied, “I will teach you how to make one”. In that instant, my passion for Origami was reignited, and I decided to Join the British Origami Society early in 2011.

What do you like most about BOS and can you share any moments/events that you have really enjoyed?

Since joining BOS, I have found much support and formed a lovely friendship with Penny Groom, the convention officer and long-standing Member of the BOS. I am a Director of Origami Pulse CIC with my dearest friend Dr Lizzie Burns in Oxford. Origami Pulse is a Community Interest Company whose mission statement is ‘Improving Life; one fold at a time’. I greatly enjoy going to the BOS conventions, where I always meet like-minded people and have a fantastic time folding with others!

Tell us an anecdote, fact or news involving origami

In December 2022 I was offered to be an Artist in Residence as an Origamist at MerseyMade art studios in Liverpool, enabling me to introduce Origami to a broader audience. I’ve also got a diploma in Mindfulness, and I like to teach Origami as a therapeutic activity for Hospital staff and patients alike.

In January 2023, I was honoured to be elected as one of the General Officers of the BOS.