Celebrating Creativity

World Collage Day is right around the corner!

While there is a celebration of something nearly every day of the year, I can really get behind a day that celebrates something that I enjoy doing. Not only do I enjoy collage, it’s an artform that is easy and accessible. You don’t need anything special to make one. I’m positive that nearly everyone owns a pair of scissors, some scrap paper, and a glue stick or roll of tape. You can even dig out a set of markers, crayons, or colored pencils, if you’re feeling fancy. There’s something so elemental about a collage, much like a loaf of bread. While the ingredients are simple, the finished piece can far exceed the sum of the parts.

Last year was the first time that I officially celebrated World Collage Day. I was at the Bennington Farmers’ Market, and I set up a special table for people to create at. What I lacked in quantity, I made up for in quality. The people who took a minute to sit down truly enjoyed themselves. When I got home from the market, I did a free online Zoom session for anyone who wanted to join me. From our separate homes, we shared the experience of making a collage together, and there was something very powerful about doing the activity as a group.

I wrote about my library opening, and the experience making collages there. I’m sure that’s why this thought has been fresh in my mind. While we celebrate art and artists, we don’t necessarily celebrate creativity. To me, creativity is the process. It’s the sitting down to make something, anything, without a focus on the finished product. It’s the making, the experimenting, the joy and flow that are most important. And, it’s for everyone, not just kids. It seems especially important for adults to put their phones and judgement away, and make something with their hands.

This year, I asked a local friend of mine to join forces for World Collage Day. Melanie just so happened to publish a fantastic book on collage last year! Provisions in Williamstown, where I sell my bread, will be happily hosting us. We will have a couple of tables outside, set up with everything you need to drop by and make a collage. Please join us if you’re around on Saturday, May 13th! If you’re not available or local, take the time to do something creative for yourself. If you’d like to share with me at papercakescissors@gmail.com, I’d love to see what you make!

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To add to your calendar for local friends: I’ll be popping up again at Hoosick Provisions on Saturday, May 20th! You can find me there starting at 10am with croissants, tarts, and some other surprises. I’ll be there until I sell out - or early afternoon!