COMBAT PAPER: From Uniform to Pulp/Battlefield to Workshop/Warrior to Artist—As you know, I tend to list mostly residencies that are subsidized. However, I'd like to tell you about a very special residency (and workshop program) in Burlington, Vermont that, in my humble opinion, is definitely worth paying for. It's called Combat Paper: http://www.combatpaper.org/index.html. From Combat Paper's website: "The story of the soldier, the Marine, the men and the women and the journeys within the military service in a time of war is the basis for this project. The goal is to utilize art as a means to help veterans reconcile their personal experiences as well as broaden the traditional narrative surrounding service, honor and the military culture. Through papermaking workshops veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beat and formed into sheets of paper. Veterans use the transformative process of papermaking to reclaim their uniform as art and begin to embrace their experiences as a soldier in war.
The Combat Paper Project is based out of Green Door Studio in Burlington, VT and has traveled throughout the United States. This project is made possible by a multifaceted collaboration between artists, art collectors, academic institutions and combat veterans. Through ongoing participation in the papermaking process, combat papermakers are attempting to progress from creating works specific to their military experiences to expressing a broader vision on militarism and society. The work reflects both the anger of the past and hope for the future. Through this collaboration between civilians and veterans, a much-needed conversation is generated regarding our responsibilities to the returned veteran and an understanding of the dehumanizing effects of warfare.
Combat Paper Residencies
From time to time, combat paper artists spend a prolonged period of time in the paper studio, working on a specific project, honing their papermaking or book art skills. Unpaid residencies are available for paper artists on an occasional basis. Artists are expected to pay for their own materials as well as their food and lodging while in residence. Residencies are self designed by the artist. Studio space and equipment are available for use. Some want to improve their skills at sheet formation for books, artwork or other personal projects. Some wish to hone their binding and bookmaking skills. Others want to explore specialty pulps and fibers used in the papermaking process. Some are accomplished artists, others are novices, willing to devote time and energy learning their craft. Contact Drew Cameron for more information and to discuss possible dates and project ideas: drewcameron@combatpaper.org or call: 802.316.1124.
The Combat Paper Project is based out of Green Door Studio in Burlington, VT and has traveled throughout the United States. This project is made possible by a multifaceted collaboration between artists, art collectors, academic institutions and combat veterans. Through ongoing participation in the papermaking process, combat papermakers are attempting to progress from creating works specific to their military experiences to expressing a broader vision on militarism and society. The work reflects both the anger of the past and hope for the future. Through this collaboration between civilians and veterans, a much-needed conversation is generated regarding our responsibilities to the returned veteran and an understanding of the dehumanizing effects of warfare.
Combat Paper Residencies
From time to time, combat paper artists spend a prolonged period of time in the paper studio, working on a specific project, honing their papermaking or book art skills. Unpaid residencies are available for paper artists on an occasional basis. Artists are expected to pay for their own materials as well as their food and lodging while in residence. Residencies are self designed by the artist. Studio space and equipment are available for use. Some want to improve their skills at sheet formation for books, artwork or other personal projects. Some wish to hone their binding and bookmaking skills. Others want to explore specialty pulps and fibers used in the papermaking process. Some are accomplished artists, others are novices, willing to devote time and energy learning their craft. Contact Drew Cameron for more information and to discuss possible dates and project ideas: drewcameron@combatpaper.org or call: 802.316.1124.
Watch a video about this great project!: http://combatpaper.org/video.html and please consider donating to Combat Paper. Thanks! Mira