Postmarked 2012: Saturday, August 18

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Saturday, August 18

New submissions for this week. We continue to get pieces from out of state, which is exciting. Simon Warren is from the UK and his piece (No. 124, below) is a large scale hanging. Thanks to all artists, from near and far, who continue to submit their wonderful mail art. Our deadline is September 30. Can't wait to see what is coming up next!

Dawn Mudore, Freeport IL | No. 113

Richard Canard, Carbondale, IL | No. 114

Unknown | No. 115

Human Artist Vending Machine | No. 116

Human Artist Vending Machine | No. 117

Dawn Mudore, Freeport, IL | No. 118

Sylvia Megerdichian, Upland, CA | No. 119

Dawn Mudore, Freeport, IL | No. 120

Sylvia Mgerdichian, Upland, CA | No. 121

Unknown | No. 122

Richard Canard, Carbondale, IL. | No. 123

Simon Warren, UK | No. 124

History of Postmarked

The Prison Library Project receives hundreds of letters every week from inmates across the country. These letters (and envelopes), requesting books and dictionaries, are often beautifully illustrated. In the spirit of these talented prison artists the Postmarked show was created, using the envelope as a canvas to create and share mail art.

The art of letter writing and the use of "snail mail" is on the decline, a casualty of the electronic age. But who among us would not smile if we received a letter in our mailbox? Who wouldn't thrill to find art instead of junk mail and bills?

The Postmarked show is a chance for all of us to reconnect with the magic of "snail mail" while helping a population whose voice, if heard at all, is limited to the humble envelope, letter and pen.

Call for Mail Art

Requesting your original mail art for display and sale to raise funds for The Claremont Forum's Prison Library Project (PLP). The PLP is a prison book and literacy program which sends thousands of books, study aids, educational and spiritual resources to inmates nationwide.
Please send submissions of mail art of any size and medium to:

Postmarked 2012
Prison Library Project
112 Harvard #303
Claremont, CA 91711

Submissions accepted June 25, 2012
Deadline is September 30, 2012

Note: ONLY the side with the official USPS Postmark/barcode will be displayed. Your mail art may be painted, stamped, collaged, printed, and/or otherwise decorated or constructed. It may be any shape and size that will go through the mail and receive an official postmark. It may get worn or torn through the mail, but the handling process is an important part of the theme. Only the side with the postmark can be displayed, due to space limitations, but the art doesn't have to be limited to that side. You may include any message inside the envelope, which will be opened only by the person who purchases the art envelope. You may submit more than one piece… and begin sending now!