DEC 2025

Celebrating 25 years of art and community.

Making and sharing. Learning and teaching.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE  

Winter is upon us. Cool, dark nights. And days, with the low sun casting long, exaggerated shadows. Its journey across the sky, so brief and we, so grateful. This as a season of celebration, each in our own ways. A time of gatherings, giving and celebration. A time of deep rest. 


I visited an ancient burial tomb this summer at Newgrange, Ireland. The structure is round, with beautiful stone carvings on massive, ancient rocks and a tiny stone gap, set above a hidden entry. At the winter solstice sunrise, a ray of light shoots through this opening, illuminating the inner sanctuary.  


I marvel at this level of design detail. The thought, observation, planning and calculations that went into building - and then burying this sacred place. Except for the stone gap, which remained open, so the light could get in.


We as Artists embed layers of depth and significance into our work. Stories and symbols and our own ideas about what is sacred and important. We are sometimes literal, at other times abstract. And isn’t this what art is? A playing of forms with meaning. A weaving of story with symbols. Color and texture as emotion. Even in our writings, we are searching for an essential rhythm, like a heartbeat.  


In our own way, we are all constructing places with an inner sanctuary. Sometimes even, a secret entrance and a gap, so the light still gets in.  


I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. 

Warm Regards,

Vera Gates

********* FOOD DRIVE: DEC 4 MEETING ********** 

9:30AM - 12noon


Help us support our Community. Bring in canned foods (soups/stews, fish/chicken, fruits/vegetables, beans) and/or non-perishables (dry beans, pasta, rice, oatmeal and cereal). 


Miriam Otte has volunteered to collect your food donations and deliver them to a donation center. She will park her car near the church entrance at 9:30AM and accept your donations as you arrive. After the meeting begins, there will be a box labeled Food Donations just inside the entrance door where you can leave food as well. 


THANK YOU for your generosity this season. 


WHAT’S HAPPENING - MORE INFO BELOW

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DEC

1  Membership renewal begins

1  Pick up artwork from RENEWAL exhibit at JCC, 9 - 10AM

4 FOOD DRIVE, bring a food donation to PW meeting, 9:30AM - 12noon

4  Member Artists Show and Sell Event at PW Meeting, 9AM-12:30PM

4  PW Meeting, SPEAKER: Tracy Horner-“Palimpsest Paintings”

4  Vera Gates, “Scrap Wrap” workshop, 12:30 - 4PM, after PW meeting at church

4  Last day to sign up in person for Winter Postcard exchange at PW meeting

4 Sign up for Carolyn Congrove, Tips, Trick and Tools, [FEB 5 meeting]

4  Sign up for You Complete Me - Scholarship Fundraiser [MAR 5 meeting]

8  Deadline to email submission photos for 25th PW Anniversary Exhibit to Stevie Mack

15 Deadline to send in memoriam info to Vera Gates for the JAN Meeting

20 Last day to sign up for You Complete Me Challenge - Scholarship Fundraiser

28 Deliver artwork for 25th PW Anniversary Exhibit at Steinfeld Gallery


JAN 2026

1  Membership renewal continues through JAN 31

3  Public Opening, Steinfeld Gallery exhibit, 25th Anniversary of PW, 4 - 8PM

8 PW Meeting (*2nd Thurs), SPEAKER, Holley Bakich

8 In Memoriam presentation at JAN meeting

8  Meet and Greet for New PW Members, 12:15 - 1:30PM

8 Bring in artwork to exchange for You Complete Me Challenge - Scholarship Fundraiser

8  Sign up for Carolyn Congrove, Tips, Trick and Tools, [FEB 5]

8  Registration begins for Beata Wehr, Ideas in Artist’s Book Format workshop, [FEB 13]

11 Artists Reception, Steinfeld Gallery exhibit, 2 - 4PM

30 Mykl Wells, Cardboard Lantern workshop in person, 10AM-4PM, Tucson Pastel Society

31 Last day to renew annual Membership

31 Last day of Steinfeld Gallery exhibit, 12noon - 4PM

10/17/24/31 Steinfeld Gallery exhibit open on SATURDAYS, 12noon - 4PM


Gather with us to Learn, Explore, Share and Grow


Thurs, DEC 4 - Members Meeting

Open to the Public - In Person only


St Francis in the Foothills Church, CELEBRATION ROOM

4625 E. River Rd, NW Corner of River and Swan


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8:30 - 9AM Set up for Member Artists Show and Sell


9 - 10AM: Check-in, informal chat, Show and Sell


10 - 10:30AM: Welcome, Announcements


10:30 - 11AM: Member Artists Show and Sell


11AM -12PM: SPEAKER: Tracey Horner, Palimpsest Paintings


12 - 12:30 Member Artists Show and Sell

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1 - 4PM Vera Gates: Scrap Wrap Workshop


SPEAKER: Tracy Horner

Palimpsest Paintings


After retiring as an electrical engineer, Tracy Horner and her husband settled in Prescott AZ, moving there just before the pandemic. Once settled, Tracy searched for a creative community to join, finding the Arts Prescott Gallery to be a perfect fit. 


Although Tracy works in several media, including fiber, digital painting and jewelry, her current focus is on watercolor painting using US Geological Survey topographical maps. Tracy’s engineer mind lends itself to organized composition. Her painting is representational of the plants and animals present in a particular area, often expressed in geometric shapes. 


Tracy also sells jewelry incorporating electronic components and has a side business of designing and selling cross-stitch patterns. Join us to see and hear about Tracy’s unique approach to watercolor painting.


Web: tracyhorner.com and inkcircles.com IG: inkcircles.xs FB: Tracy Horner 

MEMBER ARTISTS' SHOW AND SELL

9AM - 12:30PM


Here's your opportunity to see a variety of artworks created within our own community of PaperWorks artists. It's just in time to pick up a gift for a friend or a treasure for yourself. Some members may have credit card readers, but bring some cash or checks just in case. AND bring a friend!



 Instructor will supply handouts

VERA GATES: Scrap Wrap Workshop


DEC 4 | 12:30 - 4PM

In Person after DEC PW Meeting

$20 | Registration ends DEC 1

FULL


Explore different ways of assembling and securing materials so that the wrapping becomes the best part of the gift.


Participants bring a few gifts to wrap

(books or boxed gifts work best)

and their own collection of materials: wire, beads, buttons, found objects, and

corrugated cardboard--all work well. 


More Info, Scrap Wrap LINK



Sign up thru DEC 3

via EMAIL ONLY

CONTACT: Sue Agnew

include your full mailing address

with city and zip code


DEC 4 Last chance to sign up

Sign up IN PERSON

at the PW meeting


Postcards can be any size,

any medium, any theme.

Happy Postcarding

MEMBERS' WINTER POSTCARD EXCHANGE

DEC 2025 - FEB 28, 2026


Here’s how it works:

  • Sign up via email only to Sue Agnew thru DEC 3. PLEASE include your mailing address (including city and zip). Thanks in advance. It saves Sue a lot of time cross-checking if you include your full mailing address.
  • Soon after the DEC 4 meeting you will receive three names by email.
  • By signing up you are agreeing to send one hand-created postcard to each name, but you can send more if you want.
  • Three other people will receive your name and will be sending you cards.
  • A Postcard Slide Show will be presented at our April meeting.

NEW! Paperworks 25th Anniversary Members Exhibit

Steinfeld Gallery

101 West Sixth Street, Tucson, AZ


THEME: Beneath the Surface


IMPORTANT DATES:

NOV 15 | Email Intent to Participate

DEC 8 | Email Digital Images of Artwork

DEC 28 | Deliver Artwork, 9 - 10AM


JAN 3 | Public Opening - Art Walk, SAT 4 - 8PM

JAN 11 | Artist Reception, 2 - 4PM

JAN 10 / 17 / 24 / 31 | Gallery Open, 12noon - 4PM


FEB 1 | Pick up Artwork, 9 - 10AM


$25 Submission Fee


Download PDF for Requirements LINK

2D and 3D works in all media are accepted


Exhibit Chair: Stevie Mack


**********MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DRIVE**********

DEC 1, 2025 - JAN 31, 2026

We are grateful for your participation and support


At its core PaperWorks is an organization of kindred spirits, where friendships deepen and where each of us can share knowledge, skills, inspiration and encouragement with one another. Yet, we offer so much more: exhibit opportunities, annual art challenges, postcard exchanges, smaller group explorations in Creative Meetups, workshops taught by members and invited artists, field trips, and scholarship assistance to local college artists on their creative journey. As we approach our 25th year, we depend on you for your continuing participation in sustaining our mission. 


Individual $40 


Dual $55

[more than one adult living in the same household]


Patron $75 


DEC 4 and JAN 8 meetings: Renewal payments accepted

See Heather McLean at the Membership Table to pay by cash, check or credit card.


Or pay online: Member Renewal LINK

Membership benefits are for one year: JAN 1 - DEC 31


NEW! MYKL WELLS 

Making Cardboard Sculptured Lanterns

In Person


JAN 30 | 10AM - 4PM (bring a lunch)

Tucson Pastel Society

2447 N. Los Altos Avenue

$125


DEC 4 Registration in person at Meeting

DEC 4 Online Registration at 12noon

Lantern Link HERE


Contact: Education Committee


IG: @myklwells


Website:

www.beatawehr.com



NEW! BEATA WEHR

How to Work with Ideas

in an Artist’s Book Format

In Person


FEB 13 | 10AM-4PM  (bring a lunch)

Tucson Pastel Society

2447 N. Los Altos Avenue 

$125


JAN 8 Registration in person at PW Meeting

JAN 8 Online Registration at 12noon

Artist Book Link HERE


Contact: Education Committee

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND


Carolyn will display and talk about all the tools and products she has learned about over the years.


She will also show you some tricks and reveal some tips to make your mixed media art journey easier and more productive.


You will receive a detailed 4 page list of all the items and ideas talked about. AND a goodie bag!


Bring a pen or pencil for taking notes and a clipboard or sturdy object to write on.


Preference is given to members who have not previously taken Carolyn's class.

NEW! CAROLYN CONGROVE

Tips, Tricks and Tools


FEB 5 | 12:30 - 2PM

In Person

at the church after the PW Meeting

Cost: Free

DEC 4 & JAN 8: Sign up Sheets

at the PW Meetings

Max: 15

If full, contact: Erin Newman

You Complete Me Fundraiser is Back!

Support the PW Scholarship Program in a fun, collaborative way.


SIGN UP for the Challenge: DEC 4: At the PW meeting or email Emily Sullivan with your intent to participate.


UP-CYCLE & DONATE: JAN 8: Choose an unfinished art piece of your own to donate. Email a photo to Emily Sullivan, then bring the piece to the JAN 8 PW Meeting. These works will be exchanged with other artists participating. All media is accepted. Each artist can pick another member's work and complete it in their own unique style. Be sure to keep a portion of the selected work from the other artist intact while you are "finishing" it.


SILENT AUCTION: MAR 5: Bring in the completed works to the PW meeting where they will be displayed and members can participate in a Silent Auction. Bidding could get competitive!


Proceeds from the Silent Auction will be contributed to the Scholarship Fund. Also PaperWorks members can take advantage of a generous $500 matching fund donation from an anonymous donor when making an individual contribution to the Fund. It's easy to make a donation though our webpage LINK or in person at a meeting.


The PaperWorks Scholarship Program is a collaboration with the University of Arizona's Graduate Studies in Art and Pima Community College's Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery. Together, we work to support and elevate student artist at both the graduate and undergraduate levels who are working predominantly in paper-based media.


Questions: Contact Emily Sullivan


Thank you for Supporting PaperWorks Scholarships.


For inspiration, see the 2024 You Complete Me Challenge HERE



NEW MEETUP!

Creating Collage

on your iPad


Learn to use your iPad to create collage art, design decorative paper, and keep your creativity flowing.


Interested? Have Questions? 

Presentation, Details and Signup

will be at the JAN 8 Paperworks meeting.



AND THE ALTERNATIVE IS

Fall Members' Challenge WINNERS

Congratulations to everyone who participated in our Fall Challenge. There were so many clever interpretations of Master artworks.

Attendees at our NOV Meeting cast their vote for their favorites:

1st place: Ginger Burrell (left)

2nd place: Leanne Contan (lower left)

3rd place: Myrna Helfenstein (below)

JAN 8, 2026 MEETING (*2nd Thursday)

MEET AND GREET - JAN 8 MEETING

Meets at the church

12:15 - 1:30PM


New PaperWorks Members are invited to:

  • Share art interests
  • Learn more about the many art opportunities PaperWorks has to offer
  • Enjoy an art activity with demo on making squash books
  • Simple snacks provided

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in Memoriam


To honor our members who have passed away in the last year, we would like to offer a brief presentation of remembrance at the JAN 8 meeting. Please share with us anyone you know of, with digital picture(s) of them and/or their work if you have them.


Email Vera Gates by DEC 15



ANNOUNCEMENT


LYN HART, Membership Chair, Passes the Torch to HEATHER BENTZ


December will be the last month for Lyn Hart to serve as our Membership Chair. With an active organization of over 270 members, Lyn has tracked and updated contact information in the database and membership directory, emailed every new member to welcome and inform them of their benefits, and been the steadfast keeper of name tags and lanyards. As we bid adieu, we thank Lyn for her diligent service and welcome our new Membership Chair, Heather Bentz, who will assume these important duties.


Please give Lyn your best wishes at our DEC meeting

and say hello to Heather Bentz as well.



THREE WAYS TO STAY UP TO DATE


Our PW website Home page LINK

is a great quick reference for current and upcoming activities.


Our FaceBook and Instagram accounts [LINKS BELOW]

post a variety of ongoing PW activities: Recent posts include photos of:

  • the Renewal Exhibit Reception,
  • Artworks displayed in the "And the Alternative Is" Challenge,
  • News about upcoming workshops,
  • Member Spotlight featuring Patti Gardiner

and much more. Be sure to visit often.


Access our Monthly Enews on the PaperWorks website

Just go to our Home page

then click on the brown "E-news" button


FOLLOW current news on Instagram: @PaperWorksTucson

and LIKE your favorites.


Visit our FaceBook account too:

PaperWorks: the Sonoran Collective of Paper and Book Artists


YouTube: PaperWorks Sonoran Collective

SOCIAL MEDIA

Up to date announcements and activities

are posted on our Instagram and FaceBook accounts for PaperWorks.


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MEMBERS' SPOTLIGHT

PW's Instagram and FaceBook sites spotlight Members' artwork and themed challenges like "What's Your Favorite Tool". It's easy to participate. Just submit photos of your work to Mara Krumins. Desi De La Mater posts them on PW Home page too. It's a great way to keep current PaperWorks news as well.



Contact: Mara Krumins


JOIN PAPERWORKS


Since 2001 PaperWorks has thrived as an organization because of your membership and continuing support.


YOU make a difference.


Join or Renew HERE



Returning members, if your contact info has changed (phone, email, address) please notify the Membership chair.



So many benefits, including invaluable and enduring friendships. Need more reasons to join or renew?


A message from our Founder



BOOK AND PAPER ARTS CALENDAR


Check out Book & Paper Arts Calendar organized by PW member Jade Quek. It an extensive list of events and classes offered in the west, across the country and beyond. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter that supplements the calendar, e-mail Jade Quek.

E-NEWS SUBMISSIONS

Deadline: 10th of each month before the next month's e-publication

Example: Sept 10th for Oct 1st enews

Full enews: SEPT - MAY emailed: by the 1st of the month

Summer Shorts enews: JUN - AUG



Please include the following:

  • Who, What, When, and Where
  • Website addresses/links (yours & theirs)
  • and of course, we all love PHOTOS!

PHOTOS: Size no larger than 2 MB


Send your information to PW enews

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS


Our local art resources, Arizona Art Supply, Posner’s and Sarnoff have offered discounts to PaperWorks members, promoted our exhibits and supported our activities in a variety of ways. Act with your wallet.



Buy local and let them know we appreciate them.


PaperWorks MEMBERS! Receive discounts at these local art supply stores! Sarnoff, Arizona Art Supply, and Posner's. Just mention that you're a PaperWorks member!

About Us


PaperWorks, the Sonoran Collective for paper and book artists provides educational and creative opportunities for all who work with and on paper, and promotes the appreciation and enjoyment of the paper and book arts through regular and special events.


PaperWorks is based in Tucson, Arizona.