In April of this year, as society came to a pause, Brooklyn-based artist Christina Massey saw an imperative need for us to keep a physical connection in a world that was drastically transforming before our eyes. Around the same time, she began to notice pleas across social media to purchase things such as stamps in support of the USPS mailing system. After sharing her idea with a small group and texting with an artist friend who creates mixed-media works using junk mail, Massey created a social media account dedicated to her mission. An idea was born and she began a call to action for artists to create and collaborate through mailing. It was a way to bridge the gap, preserve inclusivity and stay closely connected while social distancing. Simultaneously, it was also a perfect way to support the financially struggling USPS by sending and receiving packages. Quickly, hundreds of artists joined her mission, creating art together via the mail.

Artwork by Christina Massey & Sylvia Schwartz

What were some of your goals behind Artists for the USPS?

One goal was to be inclusive of everyone. Just as the Postal Service serves everyone, I wanted the project to be open to all, professional artists or not, no limitations on genre, style or medium, completely up to the artists to decide what to do. The only rule was that you had to use the USPS in order to create the work together.

The other goals were to help artists get back into their creative practices as so many had felt stagnated by the current events, to help people not feel quite so isolated and give purpose for their actions. That to me was the beauty of this, it didn’t matter if you were making something completely different than your usual style, or how amazing you are at your craft, by simply participating you got to be a part of something bigger than yourself and do a good service to society by supporting the USPS - which during a pandemic is certainly essential!

Artwork by Joanne Ungar & Siana Smith (started by Siana, right image)

What kinds of artwork have you been receiving? How has the response been so far?

There is such a wide variety, that has been the amazing part. There are a lot of works on paper, but there are sculptures, quilts, embroidery, photography, dresses, works made on coasters, records, even a video and tiny ceramic pots! All made in collaboration via the mail, I am surprised every day by how creative people have gotten. People got very inventive in how they rolled or folded work too so that works even range in size and shape dramatically as well.

And people’s responses have been amazing. There have been a number of people who have taken the project to another level, sending works back and forth multiple times through the mail before completed, and there’s even a group of 7 people working on artworks together!

Artwork by Gwyneth Leech and Karin Bruckner (started by Gwyneth, right image)

Why do you feel this project is important? What does it mean to you?

For one, it is crucial to support and protect the USPS during an election year during a pandemic. But I think more than that it has given people a sense of purpose and community during this completely unusual time. Since the project has now evolved into several different exhibitions, it is not only producing even more income for the USPS in the shipping of the artworks to venues, between venues and eventually returned to the artist or to the collectors, but also, giving the artists and art centers which have lost income from being shut down opportunities to earn income through sales. That is something I am very proud of as well given just how many artists have lost most if not all of their income opportunities in this economy.

We love to support mission-based social art projects because we feel this is what helps guide the world through positive and necessary social change. What advice would you give to those who want to create change through their art?

I would say follow your intuition, but also share it with those you trust first. This project would be nothing without those friends who helped me understand how I needed to communicate better, what the most common questions would be and without them being willing to jump in and be a part of it, it wouldn’t have happened. I think as artists we sometimes hold ideas to ourselves, when in reality, when I shared my idea, people helped me make it stronger.

Artwork by Ellen Hackl Fagan and Nancy Baker

International media notoriety about government-funded organizations in dire need, such as the USPS, has raised support from the grassroots level around the country in so many unique and wonderful ways; would you like to continue and/or evolve this project in the future? Has it helped you connect with others and develop your own self and art as a working creative?

The project continues to evolve and grow. What originally started as an idea for artists to make works together by mail has now turned into a traveling / thematic exhibition in 4 states (and counting!) A recent development has been several teachers reaching out as they are having to come up with lesson plans for remote teaching so I’m excited to see how it grows as classes begin.

The project has introduced me to so many wonderful new people. There are a few mega-collaborators that have done 10+ by this point that I feel like I know, despite us not having actually met in person. To be meeting people and building friendships during a time like this has been so incredibly fun. I myself am an artist that works in all kinds of mediums, small to large, 2D and 3D, and each collaboration I do seems to pull out a different aspect of my creative style. I have learned something from every collaboration I have done. It really pushes you to think differently, both in when to stop and leave space for your partner to finish a work, but also in finishing one, allowing their voice to not be overshadowed and respectful of their mark. It’s harder than you think it will be, but in a really good way!

How can someone get involved?

The project is free and open for everyone to participate! First step is just to find a partner. That can be a friend or family member, or someone new! People have found new friends and partners via the Instagram page and/or the Facebook group Artists for the USPS. Then both of you start an artwork and mail it to the other to finish, that’s basically it!

If you tag @uspsartproject in your image & caption on Instagram, I will re-share it (it may take me a while as there’s so many!) Make sure to use the hashtags #uspsartproject #artistsfortheusps so I can find your post. Or you can feel free to share it yourself on the Artists for the USPS Facebook Group too.

The details for any upcoming deadlines and guidelines for the exhibitions can be found here:

http://www.cmasseyart.com/news/2020/4/24/the-usps-art-project

UP NEXT:

Ely Center of Contemporary Art
New Haven, CT
Exhibition dates: Sept 13th - Nov 1st
(the venue has met capacity for submissions, but you can view the artworks in real life or online soon!)

Sunset Art Studios
Dallas, TX
Exhibition dates: Oct 1st - Oct 31st
Submissions are now open: artworks must be received by the gallery no later than Sept 15th
(Artworks must be 12” and under)

Art Gym Denver
Denver, CO
Exhibition dates: Nov 5th - 15th
Submissions will open on September 15th, artworks must arrive by October 31st.
(Artworks must be 12” and under)

Other locations are being added, stay tuned!
(Also depending how fast you’re able to post - the first exhibition closes August 31st)

Pelham Art Center
Pelham, NY
Exhibition Dates: Aug 1st - 31st

Works can be viewed in person or online.

A Call for Art, Collaboration and Support in the Era of Quarantine: The USPS Art Project