Chromatophore: A Mail Art Exhibit

Original artwork mailed from around the world

You're invited to Chromatophore!  This 2nd annual mail art show will feature original works of art mailed from around the world.  Compiled by local St. Petersburg artist Jennifer Zoellner, this exhibit will feature over 300 unique creations, many based on the Chromatophore theme.  (Chromatophores are the color changing skin cells in creatures like the chameleon or octopus.) 

The opening reception, to be held on Thursday August 27th, will feature live  performances by musical guest Rebecca Zapen.  There will be interactive hands-on mail art creation opportunities, prize drawings, and more!

In recognition of the delivery system that is so key to the mail art movement, also on display will be artifacts from the historic St. Petersburg Open Air Postal Museum.

Chromatophore: A Mail Art Exhibit will remain on display through September 5 during Studio@620 gallery hours, Wednesday-Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 pm.  Admission is free and open to the public.

More About Mail Art

Mail art is art which uses the postal system as a medium. The term mail art can refer to an individual message, the medium through which it is sent, or an artistic genre. Mail art is also known as postal art and is sometimes referred to as Correspondence/Mail Art (CMA).

Mail artists typically exchange ephemera in the form of illustrated letters, zines, rubberstamped, decorated or illustrated envelopes, artist trading cards, postcards, artistamps, faux postage, mail-interviews, naked mail, friendship books, decos, and three-dimensional objects.

An amorphous international mail art network, involving thousands of participants in over fifty countries, evolved between the 1950s and the 1990s. It was influenced by other movements, including Dada and Fluxus.

One theme in mail art is that of commerce-free exchange; early mail art was, in part, a snub of gallery art, juried shows, and exclusivity in art. A saying in the mail art movement is "senders receive", meaning that one must not expect mail art to be sent to oneself unless one is also actively participating in the movement.   -- from Wikipedia

There are many mail art blogs including one from Jennifer Zoellner.  Check it out to learn about her ongoing projects.  http://www.jenniferzoe.blogspot.com/

About Rebecca Zapen

Rebecca Zapen is a classically-trianed violinist, a jazz crooner, and an award-winning songwriter/composer.  Rebecca was named Jacksonville's Musician of the Year 2008, and recently received 4 nominations in the Just Plain Folks Awards 2009 in the categories of Best Cabaret Album, Best Cabaret Song, and Best Vocal Jazz Song. 

Rebecca's "dreamy, ethereal vocals swoon and sweep atop sublime melodies and infectiously charming lyrics, instantly hypnotic and effortlessly charming" (Subba-Cultcha UK). Accompanying herself on ukulele, guitar, and violin, Zapen's music is "mellow, creative, happy, and smart" (Celebrity Cafe).

Find out more on her website http://www.zapen.com/.

 

A Special Thanks to...

The following generous folks contributed items for the "opportunity table":

Artchix Studio

The Stamp Place

Hooker Tea Company

Pacuigo

Nature's Finest Foods

Heather Sell

Cherie Doughtie / Cherie's Eklectika

Jennifer Zoellner

Fiberologie

Test Tower

Courtside Grille

Hether Sell and Dove Chocolate Discoveries

Hugo Porcaro, Jr.

Katherine Michael

Allison Strine

Ginny Lloyd

Blue Lucy

(Starbucks)Red

S and D Vintage

Neleh

Marianne Wysocki

Spinderella's Resale Boutique

Bill Whipple

Ashley Hancock

Shakleton's Folly Bar and Grille

Divine Health