July 24 - October 2, 2024
Photo: Postmarked Entrance
Postmarked: Connecting Communities was a mail-art project that aimed at bringing creatives from all backgrounds together under one theme: What does community mean to you?
Postcards became an easy and quick way for individuals to communicate in the late 19th century and made it possible to bring experiences from all over the world to one another’s doorsteps. Postmark Center for the Arts, originally Auburn’s historic Post Office, is dedicated to empowering diverse communities by providing the opportunity to unite within the shared language of the arts.
In honor of Postmark’s one-year anniversary, this exhibition intended to capture the uniqueness and diversity of its own growing community, with a focus on themes of space, place, and identity. Hundreds of postcards were on display, bringing definitions of community from artists of all ages and abilities together. The exhibition was on view from July 24 – October 2, 2024. Visitors were encouraged to join in the creation of postcards in the Gallery.
Programming
Opening Reception
Postmark hosted an opening reception for the exhibit to celebrate this collaboration. Over 800 cards were present the evening of the opening including several 3-dimensional works breaking the boundaries of traditional mail-art. Families, artists, and community members alike attended to welcome this body of work to the Postmark building.
Creation Space
Visitors were asked to collaborate and add to the exhibit while it was on display. The Gallery had a built in creation space for guests to sit and add their own interpretation of the theme to the exhibition.
Closing Reception
Held on the evening of September 25, 2024, the Postmarked closing reception was attended by community members to commemorate the last week of the exhibition.