Paper Circle of Nelsonville OH will release a virtual exhibition, “Works on Paper,” on February 1, 2021. It can be seen on the Paper Circle website, www.papercircle.org.

In response to COVID, Paper Circle was inspired to find a way to engage artists online and encourage creativity. Beginning in November, Paper Circle began promoting its “Works on Paper” on Instagram and Facebook. “We had no idea how many applications we would solicit,” said Executive Director Barbara (Scout) Ery. We were overwhelmed to receive 94 pieces of art.

The event drew international interest. Paper Circle received six entries from Canada, one from Germany, one from Scotland, and one from the Czech Republic.

This exhibition celebrates creativity and resourcefulness in works on paper in the time of Coronavirus. During difficult times, artists can lead the way in demonstrating resilience and originality. Entries included drawings, paintings on paper, printmaking, collage, book arts, artists books, and 3-D works.

With the help of three jurors who were chosen for their expertise in collage, papermaking and fine art using paper as a medium, Cecil Touchon (Santa Fe, NM), Helen Hiebert (Vail, CO), and Cyrilla Mozenter (Brooklyn, NY), Paper Circle selected 30 pieces of artwork created by 24 artists. The artwork will be on display on the Paper Circle website [www.papercircle.org.] through March 31, 2021.

Paper Circle is pleased to announce that artist Dawn Peterson from Georgia will receive the $300 Sara Gilfert award for her entry titled “A Good Mystery,” which is inspired by her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson.  According to Peterson, “During 2020 I had time to read more mysteries and my favorite poet Emily Dickinson. As a book artist I enjoyed creating altered books using pages from Agatha Christie novels which are sewn and glued onto a 3d printed iron vessel. Inside the vessel is a quote from Emily Dickinson about reading a good book. There is also no better texture than from book pages.”

Paper Circle, located in Nelsonville, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of handmade paper and education through the arts. Its website is https://papercircle.org/   For more information, email Paper Circle at “shop.papercircle@gmail.com”