Frontline Arts 10th anniversary at the Monson Arts Gallery

MONSON – Frontline Arts,’ a New Jersey based veteran-led art program, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Frontline Paper project with an exhibition at the Monson Arts Gallery through May 8.

Frontline Paper artists have traveled throughout the northeast with their mobile workshop making paper from military uniforms and then making imagery on the paper. The veterans who participate in the process cut uniforms (sometimes ones they wore themselves, and others that were donated) into small pieces to be made into paper pulp and then sheets of paper that they draw, write, paint, and print on.  While they are working, they engage in conversations with their fellow veterans about their military experience. The imagery and words on the paper often deal with responses to combat and returning home. The exhibit represents a decade of artwork created by these veteran artists with over 150 pieces of original artwork on display. 

Ron Erickson, artist and program manager at Frontline Paper spoke at the opening reception. In explaining how the program works he says, “Coming home is hard. When you make a piece of art and hang it on the wall, that gives a little seed to start a conversation. When you talk about it once, you can talk about it again.”

The workshops are a place for veterans to come together and speak freely. At the exhibit opening, many residents in the area who attended felt a deep connection to the stories on view, as they are veterans and military family members. 

Director of Monson Arts Chantal Harris said, “It has been amazing to see how impactful this work is. Everyone who walks through feels the emotional power in this room.”

Monson Arts has partnered with Frontline Arts to award an artist in residence placement to Mark Oldland this October. Oldland is an artist and veteran who has participated in many workshops with Frontline. 

Frontline Paper Ten Year Anniversary: The Power of the Collective is on view through May 8. The Monson Arts Gallery is located at 8 Greenville Road and is open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment by calling 207-997-2070. 

Monson Arts is an artists’ residency and arts center supported by the Libra Foundation. Established in 2018, Monson Arts’ programs include residencies, intensive shorter workshops, and educational partnerships with area schools. Located at the edge of Maine’s North Woods near the Appalachian Trail, the town is surrounded by areas of stunning natural beauty.