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Video: Mary Hark on Papermaking and Community Projects

Library Salon Series

Video: Mary Hark on Papermaking and Community Projects

Library Salon Series
Medium
Mary Hark Paper Detail

A heap of lovely handmade paper from Mary Hark's studio.

Courtesy of the artist

On April 12, guests at the ACC Library Salon Series were inspired by the work and projects of papermaker Mary Hark. A longtime resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, Hark is chair of textiles and fashion design in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and founder and proprietor of HARK! Handmade Paper Studio. During her talk, Hark reflected on her personal practice and background as a papermaker, but mainly focused on what is nearest and dearest to her: community projects. From making placemats for a neighborhood dinner feeding more than 2,000 people to establishing a papermaking operation in Ghana using untapped Mulberry plant resources, Hark’s mission is to make a difference – one beautifully made sheet of paper at a time.

In this video, Hark shares how she ended up in papermaking, who her inspirations are, and a little bit about some of those wonderful communities she has been (and continues) to be involved with.

Presented by the American Craft Council, the Library Salon Series is a series of free public presentations exploring craft, making, and art.

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

 

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