Instructor Spotlight: Erin Cramer
Erin Cramer teaches Make a Mask! on Sundays October 18 & 25th from 1:00-4:00PM.
Tell us about your experience and key highlights of your work as it relates to the workshop you will be teaching for Artists Book House (ABH).
I was a contributing artist for many years with Arts in the Dark in Chicago, and Rags to Witches at The Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL. I was the co-creator with D-CASE for an outdoor public art installation called Flying Creatures that involved paper sculpture making with Chicagoland youth. I have taught papermaking classes and workshops at University of Illinois, SAIC, and Columbia College Chicago, as well as at several area art centers and libraries. In addition to working with students, I have collaborated with the Peace Paper Project to teach papermaking to Illinois veterans since 2019.
Where can readers find examples of your work?
instagram @erincramerart
MADE at Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin, IL
Paul Henry’s Art Gallery in Hammond, IN
Elgin Public Museum in Elgin, IL
What can prospective students expect to learn in your workshop?
Prospective students will learn about the history of papermaking, hands on papermaking skills such as pulling and pressing sheets, sculptural techniques like armature construction and paper casting, and various design elements such as setting plastic eyes and painting effects
If a student were to walk away with one or two key lessons, skills, or principles from your workshop, what would you hope that would be?
Learning how fun and rewarding paper casting can be, the overall versatility of handpapermaking, and the satisfaction of walking away with a unique mask (or masks) after two short sessions.
Can you name an example or two of past workshops you’ve taught, and what most excited you about them?
I am always excited when students surprise themselves with their own creativity. For example, Lisa, an army veteran who had no previous visual art or papermaking experience, made a hat instead of a mask. She teaches ukulele and came up with a light weight paper ukulele she can wear on her head for open mics and promo videos. It turned out really great and she cracks me up every time I see her wearing it. (Her name is Lisa Mannion at Pilsen arts community house if you want to see her crazy uke hat in action)
What are the most important features of your workspace?
The most important features of my work space have to do with ease and practicality. For example, all of my work tables are standing height to save strain on my back, everything is on wheels, the floor is cement (no carpet to worry about with water spills)
What are some of your favorite tools in your studio?
I have an Oracle Paper Beater, a Bernette sewing machine, and a vintage Korg keyboard that weighs about a million pounds. These fancy dancy tools are my pride and joy :-)
What inspires and informs your work?
Poetry, the Field Museum, hiking, parades, all things Halloween
How did you first become associated with ABH?
I was in the Interdisciplinary Arts MFA/ Book and Paper Program (class of 2009) and know most of the ABH people from there. Since ABH began I've been a contributing artist in all of their Halloween events.
What interests and excites you most about working with ABH?
I’m excited to be a part of the community and enjoy making art with all kinds of folks.
Other than your ABH workshop, can you name a few other key events or projects in your near future?
In addition to papermaking, I’ve been working in fashion design for the last couple of years. I’m excited to be showing two of my garments at Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St Charles, IL this spring. I am also a musician and have recently joined an old time country band as the piano player.
