Dear Friends,
I do hope your week has been a good one. Full of delights and surprises. I came upon a project that I just had to share with you.
Art via Post is an initiative for anyone who would like to turn mail, specifically the envelope, into art.
Behind the project are self described mail-art enthusiasts, Denise Price and Emma Scott, both based in Cambridge Massachusetts, USA.
Recently I had the pleasure of catching up with Denise to learn more Art via Post project. What follows is an abbreviated version of our conversation.
A bit of a Q+A if you will.
Brenda Koffard – handmade paper collage with hand drawn elements – USA
How and when did you come up with the concept of Art via Post?
“August of 2011. Sometimes ideas just come to me. Creative endeavors haunt me. They take up space in my brain until I do something about them. Art via Post was one of those haunting creative endeavors. At the time, I was deep into the engineering of my Freedom Trail Pop Up book when the concept struck me. I had recently stumbled on a book for a mail art show that happened in the UK and was taken by the art and the idea. I knew right away that I was going to have an open call to artists, host a show and produce a book. I have received mail from five continents and 15 different countries. This project has a stretched to mail lovers across the globe with all skill levels and amazing messages.
Chi-Botico – hard board with collage and string – Australia
Where does your love of all things ‘snail mail’ come from?
“When I was a little girl my grandmother shared her stamp collection with me I fell in love with mail. My Aunt worked at City Hall and would tear off stamps received in the billing department and give them to me. I loved them. Stamps and handwritten letters. Calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts. So, when the concept of using an envelope as an artistic canvas crossed my path, I knew that mail art would forever be part of my existence. I do not consider myself an artist, so mail art gives me an artistic outlet where I can share my expression with a perfect stranger and the art will be appreciated for the effort it took to create it.”
Eraser Heed – hand carved eraser stamps created by artist – Sweden
What is the most memorable piece of mail you have ever received?
“At a young age I wrote handwritten letters to famous people, asking for their autographs. I received many back. My secret to success was including a stamped envelope and correspondence card enclosed for them to sign and drop back in the mail. This made it easy for them to respond. Months, sometimes years later (with additional postage sometimes required) I would receive a returned envelope with my name on the front.
The most memorable piece of mail I received was an envelope that had the bold script of Lauren Bacall on the front addressed to me. I am certain that the ink was pulled across the paper with what looked like a classic fountain pen. In my opinion, there is nothing more personal than the handwriting and signature of a person. Unique to the person, practiced and evolved, it is personally their own. An autograph is a piece of their personality. A piece of mail, handwritten, is a gift.”
Sarah Barak – newspaper collage – USA
What is on your desk right now?
“A pile of 1888 Frank’s Illustrated Newspapers just purchased at an estate sale. A limited edition Monte Blanc fountain pen with blue ink. A bone folder and Italian crane embroidery scissors (for cutting paper with precision). A pile of triple hand dipped, in purple fabric dye, A7 envelopes-Meant for mailing handwritten letters and Forever stamped return envelopes to a list of famous people I would love to participate in Art via Post. Shepard Fairey, Karl Lagerfeld, Matt Groening, Tim Burton and forty one others are on the list. Cross your fingers!”
Thank you so much Denise for taking the time to answer my questions, providing us with these spectacular photos of mail art already submitted and for sharing your story with us. I love the Lauren Bacall story!
Cecilia Audagna – stamped fabric with sewn detail – Argentina
How to get involved with Art Via Post?
The postmark deadline in June 1, 2014. So, you have lots of time to get creative with your envelope.
Art via Post will consist of an exhibit, a book and a website. For more details and information visit submission of entries for how you can be part of this mail-art project.
And there you have it, a project I just can’t get enough of. I do hope you choose to participate and send your bit of creative genius into Denise. Do you have an envelope idea already taking shape?
With warm regards,
Barb
Karen Main
What a wonderful project and one that has me looking forward to checking the mail later today to see what wonderful stamps I amy be able to collect. Not sure what I will do with them, we shall see.
Barb
Hi there Karen, Do come back and tell me what you decided to do with the stamps. I think I smell an envelope extraordinaire!
Laura Lane of Harvest Lane Cottage
What an interesting post!
I’ve made envelopes out of old calendar pages and children’s artwork before. I then affix a mailing label. My Paperback Swap books could come packaged in any kind of reused paper or package, even old school worksheets or sales ads! I also like mailing package in giftwrap that has been covered with packing tape.
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Barb
Hello there Laura, wow, you have some amazing ideas for envelopes. I think you definitely need to submit one of your creations to this very cool project! I especially like the idea of using old calendar pages as often they are so nice I don’t want to throw it out. Thanks for sharing and for your visit.
Akaleistar
What a great concept!
Barb
Hi Ashley, I loved the concept too. Perhaps there is a ‘Jane Austen’ themed envelope in your future? Nice to chat. Thanks for stopping in.
Joan
Thanks for writing about and sharing this project. Love Mail Art and can’t wait to see the book they assemble. Imagine what it would be like to receive all those creative wonders in the mail everyday!
Barb
Hi there Joan, Oh, my word, it would be like Christmas finding those envelopes in the mail every day wouldn’t it?! Glad you enjoyed the post. Perhaps you will be sending in your own creative wonder?