Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of visiting the Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood, New Jersey to view PAPERWORK, "an exhibition of traditional and contemporary paper-based art works". I was impressed by the diversity of regional talent on display, as well as the gallery space that showcased creative work throughout two floors.
 |
Moon Garden Kelly Miletta; cut paper, mixed media |
A Vibrant Community Hub for the Arts
Beyond the art itself, the experience was elevated by an audio tour, an exhibition catalog, and informative handouts. The gallery staff offered a warm welcome and are clearly proud of what they've built. What a gift for the Collingswood community to have such a vibrant cultural center featuring a large clay studio, creative classes for all ages, children's summer camp, and engaging programming throughout the year.
 |
Cheers to government arts grants, private foundations, corporate partnerships, program fees, and individual donors who make spaces like this thrive...including Perkins Center's additional locations in Moorestown and Marlton, New Jersey.
Whimsical Relief and a Golden Egg: Kelly Miletta
 |
The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg Kelly Miletta; papier mache, raffia, and ceramic
While it's impossible to feature every masterpiece from the show in one post, I'm sharing a number of works that captured my attention. |
 |
Kelly Miletta; catalog page
|
Kelly Miletta's dimensional works caught my eye right away, Her piece Moon Garden features a lush arrangement of cut paper framed in ornate antique gold, creating an enchanting window into a nocturnal garden.
Equally delightful is The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg, a sculptural bust crafted from papier mache, raffia, and ceramic that balances folk-art charm with texture.
A Message of Hope: Nina Sciacca
 |
Lady Liberty Nina Sciacca; papier mache
Nina Sciacca presented Lady Liberty, a powerful papier mache bust adorned with a crown of monarch butterflies and a thought-provoking message on paper.
The text reads, in part: |
Hello, old friend, our Lady of Liberty!
Tired from our journey, we take refuge in your warm welcome.
Crossing your harbor, following winds that know no borders.
Yearning for the warmth of the sun that shines on us all.
But something feels different, something has changed. Your once hope-filled harbor is now tainted with suspicion and fear:
Our migration is not an invasion.
It is instinct and survival. It is hope borne on butterfly wings.
Precision Folding & Book Arts: Cye Newman & Sherry Wang
 |
Cursive Cye Newman; money origami |
For lovers of geometry and patience, Cye Newman's money origami is exceptional. He folded the alphabet from A to Z using real paper currency, mounting the script letters against a dark mat.
 |
Be Grapeful for What You Have Sherry Wang; book sculpture
Sherry Wang's imaginative folded book sculpture featured a leafy grape cluster with quilled paper elements placed within the colored portions of the design.
Towering Sculptures & Mythic Papercuts: Hua Hua Zhang & Casey Lynch
|
 |
Paper Woman's Nightmare Hua Hua Zhang; papier mache, paper sculpture, cut paper
Hua Hua Zhang's Paper Woman's Nightmare, a towering theatrical installation sculpted from papier mache and cut paper, shows expressive masks emerging from folds of draped white paper. |
 |
The Forest of the Teeth and Smoke Casey Lynch; papercut
Casey Lynch presented The Forest of the Teeth and Smoke, one of a pair of detailed black and white papercuts. It evokes European folklore, complete with a witch, a roaming wolf, and Baba Yaga's iconic hut on chicken legs.
|
 |
Abstract Explorations: Brian Dennis |
 |
Streamers No. 19 and No.15 Brian Dennis; mixed media
Brian Dennis's Streamers No. 19 and Streamers No. 15, an ode to summer, are a stunning pair of elongated panels that feature metallic leafing, iridescent paint, and hued paper.
From Pulp to Possibility: A Rich History
One of my favorite aspects of the exhibition catalog was its opening essay, From Pulp to Possibility: A Brief History of Paper," which provides an interesting historical context on the evolution of paper as an expressive artistic medium - from ancient papermaking techniques and William Rittenhouse's 1690 historic Pennsylvainia mill to traditional Scherenschnitte and modern fine art applications.
|
Mark Your Calendar: BIG INK at Perkins Center
BIG INK is an upcoming exhibit that will feature the work of thirty artists who create large-scale woodblock prints. If you're near southern New Jersey or the greater Philadelphia area, I'm quite sure it will be worth the trip. An Artist Reception will be held on September 12 from 5-8 PM, and is free and open to the public.
Learn more at the Perkins Center website and follow their updates on Instagram and Facebook.
