Combat Paper Project Fundraising

The Combat Paper Project is coming to Minnesota Center for Book Arts in Minneapolis September 21-27 with many opportunities for local veterans to participate. Veterans are invited to pulp their uniforms, create paper, printed images and expressive writing. The workshops,presented by veterans for veterans, are a powerful antidote to the damaging silence surrounding their personal and shared experiences. Inserted below is the official fundraising letter from MCBA. Any help, however small, would be appreciated.

Dear Friends of Peace and of the Arts:

In September of this year, Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) and the Susan Hensel Gallery will host The Combat Paper Project for a week-long residency in MCBA’s studios. This unique project, based out of Green Door Studio in Burlington, Vermont, is made possible by a multifaceted collaboration between artists, art collectors, non-profit centers and military combat veterans. Through papermaking workshops, local veterans are given the opportunity to use uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beat and formed into sheets of paper. Later, text and imagery created by veterans are printed on the sheets. The goal is to use art to help individuals reconcile their personal experiences and challenge traditional narratives surrounding service, honor and military culture.


I write today to ask for your help in supporting this endeavor – specifically the project’s residency in the Twin Cities. There are two ways you can help. The first is financially. We need to raise $2,500 to fund this important residency. Any amount you can give to support the project’s local visit and week of free public programming will be greatly appreciated. The second involves publicizing events and programming associated with Combat Paper’s residency at MCBA. If you are able to help in either way, please contact me at your soonest convenience. While we have many resources at our disposal, we need additional community support to make this ambitious endeavor a reality.

It is hoped that this collaboration between civilians and veterans will raise community awareness and stimulate conversations regarding our responsibilities to returned veterans and the dehumanizing effects of warfare. For more information about The Combat Paper Project, you may visit www.combatpaper.org. For more information about MCBA and the Susan Hensel Gallery, visit www.mnbookarts.org and www.susanhenselgallery.com. If you have further questions, I would be happy to talk or meet with you. My contact information is provided below.


I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Jeff Rathermel
MCBA Artistic Director
612-215-2526
jrathermel@mnbookarts.org