Calligraphy and Handmade Paper

Deadline: October 1, 2006

Theme: The eighth portfolio in Hand Papermaking's ongoing series will feature calligraphy on handmade paper. We envision a collection that features single characters, or small groups of characters, including non-roman alphabets. Rather than quotations or poetry, we encourage calligraphers to focus on the inherent artistry and meaning of an individual letterform, ideogram, short word, or acronym. Most importantly, we ask that the calligraphy interact in some way with the handmade paper it resides on or in. The paper should be an equal partner in the visual statement.

Hand lettering is encouraged but we also will allow printing and imaging processes which include relief, intaglio, litho, silkscreen, and digital as well as editioning techniques in hand papermaking such as watermarks, stenciled pulp, and other wet-stage techniques.

We welcome entries from individual artists as well as collaborations between papermakers and calligraphers. Let us know if you are looking for someone to team up with, and we will do our best to introduce you to potential collaborators.

Jurors/Invited Artists:
Timothy Barrett
Thomas Ingmire
Nancy Ruth Leavitt
Katie MacGregor

Essayist:Rose Folsom is the editor of Letter Arts Review, an international quarterly on the letter arts.

Requirements: The finished piece should be 10 x 8 inches unless there is a strong artistic argument for a smaller size or unusual shape. Pieces that fold down to 10 x 8 inches will also be considered.

Each selected participant will be asked to produce 150 finished pieces, plus two proofs for the archive and exhibitions.

All of Hand Papermaking's portfolios emphasize the use of handmade paper. We will require detailed information about the fiber used and how the paper was made. Each selected participant will be required to prepare a statement covering aesthetic considerations, technical details, and a biographical summary (details will be sent with acceptance letters). The statements will be edited and printed in the booklet, with the commissioned essay.

There is no submission fee for this portfolio.

Benefits to Participants:

Compensation for participation in this project will be one copy of the portfolio (approximate value of $400-$500 apiece). If an individual artist' entry is accepted, she or he will receive one copy of the complete portfolio. Two or more artists collaborating on an entry will receive one complete portfolio and the contents (i.e., without the clamshell box) of a second portfolio.

Based on sales of past portfolios in the series, copies of this portfolio will end up in major museums and rare books collections, both private and public. In addition to the exposure generated by the portfolio itself, participating artists will benefit from these possible additional programs: reprint of the portfolio essay in Hand Papermaking magazine, with images of some of the artworks; lectures/presentations to promote the portfolio; promotion of the portfolio and participating artists on Hand Papermaking' web site; and a traveling exhibition featuring artwork from the portfolio. The portfolio will be displayed, promoted, and sold at selected paper, book, and print trade fairs and professional conferences.

Address and Contact Information:

Hand Papermaking
PO Box 77027
Washington, DC 20013-7027

This address may also be used for inquiries about the project requirements. Questions may be sent via e-mail to info@handpapermaking.org. Aso visit our website at www.handpapermaking.org for complete details and to work from previous portfolios.

Questions can be called in by phone to: (800) 821-6604 (US only) or (301) 220-2393.

Our fax number is (301) 220-2394.