Welcome the 2020 Papermaking Champions!
Dard Hunter Watermark, from Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
December 2020
As outgoing president of North American Hand Papermakers, I am pleased to announce that the membership has unanimously elected seven persons to the newly inaugurated Hall of Papermaking Champions. The first inductee is Dard Hunter. He is followed by Laurence Barker, Catherine A. Baker, Timothy Barrett, Arnold Grummer, Douglass Morse Howell, Elaine Koretsky, and Marilyn Sward.
These inaugural inductees are each unique for their contributions to the field of papermaking . Our organization, North American Hand Papermakers, was initiated in 1981 as Friends of the Dard Hunter Paper Museum, with a focus on preservation of the artifacts gathered worldwide by the father of contemporary American papermaking, and now housed at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta. The new Hall of Papermaking Champions celebrates Dard Hunter’s induction as the very first member, connecting us to our own history as it connects to that of our field.
New paper makers who enter the field can reference the Hall to study the many photographs and essays about significant contributors in papermaking scholarship, artistry, and artisanal production.With each year’s new inductees represented in the Hall, our connection to the great tree of paper making champions will become richer and more varied. This new online Hall is an accessible means for members and papermakers everywhere to augment our knowledge of our own field. With essays and photos provided directly to us by family, colleagues, and students of the inductees, the Hall adds an accurate contribution to biographical documentation of these papermaking pioneers and innovators on the internet. The virtual Hall of Papermaking Champions informs young and emerging papermakers; paper artists and production papermakers; those in the industry and commerce of paper; and educators, about the broader stream of history, research, and practice in the field. Knowing this history more completely can enhance understanding and appreciation of the scope of papermaking; the awareness of possibilities for the paper-interested; and a sense of place within every branch of our papermaking community.
We are posting essays, documents, and photographs on our website about the contributions of each Champion. We anticipate additional essays and photographs being added online, and invite you to revisit often! You can visit the Hall of Papermaking Champions at this link: https://www.northamericanhandpapermakers.org/hall-of-champions
Dard Hunter, 1883—1966. Pioneer and father of contemporary American papermaking. Early papermaking reviver, artist, collector, publisher, typographer, designer, book artist, author, he gathered the most extensive collection of international papermaking artifacts in North America. Essay written by Dard Hunter III, with photographs courtesy of Dard Hunter III.
Cathleen A. Baker, Professor Emerita of University of Michigan, educator and conservator, mentor, researcher, scholar, and publisher of The Legacy Press on paper and book arts. Biographer of Dard Hunter. Essay written by Steve Miller, with photographs courtesy of Cathleen A. Baker.
Laurence Barker, International and innovative paper artist, early papermaking educator and mentor who established the first papermaking studio in an institution of higher learning, at Cranbrook Academy. Essay written by Victoria Rabal Merola, with a short recollection by Winifred Lutz, with photographs courtesy of Laurence Barker.
Timothy Barrett, educator, collaborator, researcher, scholar, papermaking practitioner; and founding director and visionary of the papermaking facilities of the University of Iowa Center for the Book. Essay by Jane Milosch with photographs courtesy of Paul Romaine.
Marilyn Sward, 1941-2008. Founding director of Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, Educator, artist. She also served on the boards of both Hand Papermaking Magazine and of Haystack School of Arts and Crafts. Forthcoming essay by Audrey Niffenegger.
Arnold Grummer, 1923—2012. Papermaker, Institute of Paper Chemistry faculty, author, educator/entrepreneur, and Curator of the Dard Hunter Paper Museum. Essay by Kim Grummer Schiedermayer and the Grummer family, with photographs courtesy of the family.
Douglass Morse Howell, 1906—1994. Papermaking pioneer, builder and innovator of paper beaters, printer and artist. Papermaker, papermaking educator who set up a Soho, NYC teaching studio that brought many successive papermakers to the field. Essays by Eugénie Barron and Susan Gosin. Photographs courtesy of Eugenie Barron, Susan Gosin and Mina Takahashi, with great thanks to Elisabeth King.
Elaine Koretsky, 1932—2018. Scientist and researcher, author on papermaking practice, scholar, papermaking practitioner, curator, educator, and noted ambassador and documentarian of papermaking worldwide. Essay by Donna Koretsky, with photographs courtesy of Donna Koretsky.
Please join me in congratulating the inaugural 2020 Cohort of Papermaking Champions and their families! Enjoy experiencing the virtual Hall for yourself!
You can access the Hall of Papermaking Champions at this link: https://www.northamericanhandpapermakers.org/hall-of-champions
A Hall of Papermaking Champions Committee is currently being formed, to consider future candidates and design a process for nominations. Information about the formal nomination process will be posted to the NAHP website in the Spring of 2021. Questions about the Hall or about nominations can be sent to Executive Director Paul Romaine at executivedirector@northamericanhandpapermakers.org.
Yours,
Lynn Sures,
Outgoing President, North American Hand Papermakers
