A List
8/25/08

Exhibition Inspired By Military Stories In SLU Gallery

CANTON - An exhibition titled "Combat Paper and Warrior Writers," inspired by the stories of men and women in the military during times of war, is in the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery at St. Lawrence University through October 11.

On Friday, September 26, a presentation called "Back from Iraq," featuring first-hand accounts of the war, activism and art, will take place in the Ireland Lounge of the Student Center, at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public, free of charge. Friday through Sunday, September 26-28, a workshop called "Combat Papermaking" will be held in Room 112 of the Noble Center, with area war veterans, activists, artists and students. Please call 315-229-5174 in advance to register.

"Combat Paper" is a collaborative project initiated by Drew Matott and Drew Cameron from the Green Door Studio, along with Jon Turner at the People's Republic of Paper, in Burlington, Vermont. Utilizing uniforms worn in combat and conflict zones, veterans cut, cook and beat the cloth fibers to form sheets of paper. In this way, veterans use the transformative process of papermaking to reclaim their uniform as art and begin to reconcile their personal wartime experiences. Thus far, over 20 veterans of World War II and wars in Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, including some from Fort Drum, have made paper from their uniforms or contributed uniforms for the project.

"Warrior Writers," conceptualized and led by Lovella Calica, provides tools and space for healing and community-building for members of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Through writing workshops, veterans are able to unbury their secrets and connect with each other on personal and artistic levels. Writings from the workshops are compiled into books, performances and exhibitions that provide a lens into the hearts of people who have served in the Iraq war. Anthologies of these writings have been compiled into two books, Move Shoot and Communicate and Re-Making Sense.

The Cashin Endowment Fund for Fine Arts provided additional support for the exhibition and papermaking workshops.

For more information, or to arrange individual or group tours, contact the Brush Gallery at 315-229-5174.

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