This morning, I got word that the Mills College Book Art Program—the program in which I earned my MFA—is in danger of being eliminated. This program has meant so much to me and the thought that the foolish advice of a consulting company may lead to its complete removal for future generations of book arts students is absolutely terrifying. Even with the MFA in Book Art and Writing I received from this program, it’s difficult to put into words what the program has meant to me but let me try.
I entered into the program completely insecure of my abilities as an artist and a writer. I had made some small paintings, some books, but not enough to qualify for what I thought would be representative of a “real artist’s portfolio.” Similarly, I had only published shorter works in scant quantity. Even so, I was enchanted by the prospect of attending a program that would encourage not only my abilities as a writer but as an artist. Through the program’s expert guidance combining elements of book art, bookbinding, letterpress printing, creative writing, and installation, I found my voice not only as a writer or an artist, but as a combination writer-artist: a book artist.
The MFA in Book Art and Creative Writing Program is the first to recognize writer-artists as complex, multi-talented individuals who refuse to separate their artistic practice from their writing practice. As book artists, our writing becomes an essential part of our artwork, reinforcing and strengthening it towards the completion of a cohesive body of work. In any other program, I would have felt as though one half of my practice had been denigrated as insignificant, and in being disallowed half of my skill set, the resulting works would have felt less than complete. Since completing the program, my works which combine elements of creative writing, book art, performance, and installation have appeared in ArtNet, Beautiful Bizarre, Ms. Magazine, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, and I have performed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Berlin. But this program has meant more to me than simply offering me the confidence and skills necessary to be a successful artist and writer. This program turned one of the most devastating experiences in my life into a source of empowerment.
Towards the end of my second year in the program, I was sexually assaulted in my hometown of Oakland, CA. In the months following the assault, I had symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder where I was unable to eat, bathe, sleep, or leave my bed. I missed weeks of school and in my darkest moments contemplated suicide. I wasn’t sure I could continue with the program, which was as rewarding as it was rigorous. But my instructors Kathleen Walkup and Julie Chen were extremely kind and patient with me as I recovered. Through their guidance and encouragement, I not only continued the program to its completion, but I also cultivated an art project which allowed me to empower myself through book art to speak out about my experience and unite my voice with the narratives of other survivors. This project became known as JARRING III– an edition of 150 letterpress, hand-bound limited edition artists’ books that share the experiences of dozens of survivors of sexual assault to raise funds for rape crisis centers. To produce the first book in the three book set, I received a coveted studio arts residency at Women’s Studio Workshop in New York. The project has been awarded grants from The Pollination Project and the College Book Arts Association and been presented at the Southern Graphics International Council. It has been heralded by the Huffington Post, Feminist Magazine, and Bookbinding Now. and is currently pending a national book tour complete with workshops and presentations for book art students and survivors. It is by far the most challenging and rewarding project I have ever undertaken and without the Mills College Book Art program, it never would have been possible.
If you support me and my work, please please consider signing the following petition to save this valuable program so it can be available to future generations of writers, artists, bookbinders, letterpress printers, and lovers of the printed word! https://www.change.org/p/save-the-mills-college-book-art-program
