Gallery

Photos of the project

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About the Project

HOLD ON/LET GO is a participatory community art project and exhibition by Iowa City artists Heather Steckler and Harper Folsom. The project explores the intersection of memory, purpose, and the act of releasing the things we carry with us. What conditions make it okay to release control over physical possessions, and how does giving up that control allow us to have agency in other aspects of our lives? This project and culminating exhibition asks Iowa City neighbors to engage with these ideas throughout the creative process.Over the coming spring and summer months of 2024, Heather & Harper will work with the Iowa City community to collect objects that residents are holding onto, but wish to let go. Items may be inherited from loved ones, accumulated at a meaningful stage of life, or simply be too difficult to throw away. Some participants may want as many people as possible to appreciate a precious memento, and some may never want to look at their object again.There will also be opportunities to collaborate with the artists to record and repurpose objects through papermaking, cyanotype, and collage during free community workshops hosted in collaboration with Public Space One.The project will culminate in an exhibition at Public Space One Northside Gallery that showcases the creative efforts of the artists’ collaboration with each other and with the community.

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Workshops

All workshops are free and open to participants of all ages & no experience is necessary!Workshops by Heather & Harper as part of the HOLD ON/LET GO project are hosted in collaboration with with Public Space One at the Iowa City Press Co-Op (225 N Gilbert). Registration is highly encouraged and can be found on the Public Space One website.

Recycled Papermaking Workshop - June 22, 1-4 pm
Learn how to make handmade recycled paper in this community workshop! Bring your junk mail, paper scraps, unwanted documents, and other paper you’d like to recycle. Learn how to make recycled pulp and pull your own sheets of handmade paper. Participants will have the chance to participate in a community-made artwork for display in the October HOLD ON/LET GO exhibition and make their own sheets of paper to bring home.
> REGISTER HERECyanotype Workshop - July 14, 1-4 pm
Learn how to make Cyanotype photogram prints in this community workshop! Participants will learn about the cyanotype process and expose and develop photogram prints. Bring your own objects–anything from trash to treasure–to use to create unique cyanotype compositions. This drop-in workshop is open to participants of all ages & no experience is necessary!
> REGISTER HERECollage Social - August 11, 1-4 pm
Join us at a drop-in community social event focusing on the art of collage! Bring your unused collage ephemera, paper scraps, photos, old books, etc. that you’ve been holding onto to create with and swap! Trade materials with other artists and work on your own collages or creative projects. Basic collage materials and supplies will be provided to get you started. This drop-in event is open to participants of all ages & no experience is necessary!
> REGISTER HERE

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Collection Days

We are seeking donations of objects you have held onto for sentimental or practical reasons, or are simply waiting for the right moment to let go. If you are ready to release ownership of these items, but it feels wrong to throw them away, we welcome your contributions!Participants are invited to (optionally) fill out a form detailing their “conditions of letting go,” as seen below.On collection days, we welcome donations that you can easily carry. Larger donations may be arranged via email.Collected objects will be part of an exhibition at Public Space One in October of 2024.

March 28, 6-8 pm Close House, 538 S Gilbert
^{Takes place during PS1's art social}
April 6, 11 am-2 pm Close House, 538 S Gilbert
^{Takes place during ICECREAM zine festival}
May 4, 12-3 pm Northside, 229 N Gilbert
^{Takes place during open gallery hours}
June 7, 4-5 pm Northside, 229 N Gilbert
^{Takes place during open gallery hours}

Contact

Please reach out to us via email with any questions you have about our project at: [email protected]

Heather: portfolio & instagram
Harper: portfolio & instagram

Sponsored by Public Space One.

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