Art via Post

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