July 22, 2018
Every month I record a podcast episode for Paper Talk, an ongoing series of interviews featuring artists and professionals who are working in the field of hand papermaking.
Last month I was in Chicago where I had a conversation with Melissa Potter in the papermaking studio at Columbia College. Through her practice, which includes art making, writing, curating and teaching, Melissa focuses on traditions that are endangered, underpaid and under-recognized due to industrialization, war, gender bias, and globalization. We talk about her Quaker upbringing in New Jersey and how that instilled in her a desire to be an activist, and how she has expanded upon The Papermaker’s Garden (that I initiated at Dieu Donné Papermill in the mid 90’s), and has continued to develop it as a socially engaged practice.
On the podcast, Melissa also talks about Seeds in Service, a project she runs with collaborator Maggie Puckett. They are currently fundraising to publish a book about the first five years of the program that combines feminist and ecological concerns with the art of hand papermaking. An Illuminated Feminist Seed Bank is sure to be a good one – check it out!
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Speaking of podcasts, I’m on Alyson Stanfield’s Art Biz Podcast this week talking about transforming creative ideas into multiple income streams (aka how I make a living at this paper gig). Here’s a photo that my recent intern Lata Gedala took of me in the studio that Alyson’s team turned into the graphic for the podcast episode. I love how it looks like I’m scooping up that bubble of words!
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I can’t think of a better topic for a residency program at a Children’s Museum than papermaking (but I’m biased of course). Claire Reynes, a Chicago-based papermaker and educator, is the first guest artist in the program at the DuPage Children’s Museum that will bring professional artists with a variety of expertise to the museum’s studio. And hats off to the museum for including artists in their programming!
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2 Comments
Great Podcast, thanks for all the info and good luck in your business.
The photos of all people working in bookmaking and paper making have the most wonderful hands. I noticed in this BLOG alone, the intelligent “touch” of these artists is so important and shows such respect for the process.