APR 2026

Celebrating our 25th year of art and community.

Making and sharing. Learning and teaching.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE  

Frayed Upon My Edges

Things are coming Apart 

at the seams. Buttons 

popping off And I cannot find 

my shoes.


The pretty ones. That hurt

My feet but look so good.

The jewelry all tangled. The laundry

piled high.


Oh, I am careworn and frayed

upon my edges. Some small things

Reduce me to tears. I can’t

Say why.


Sitting amidst my half-done work

I Follow the thread of a thought


I drop the stitch of what I am doing. 

I lose the word I just had. Perfect 

for this poem.


The fault is with the planets. Mercury

In retro grade. Nothing will get done today.

The printer crashed. I can’t find my phone. 

The emails are endless 

and I am supposed to be Retired.


I Surrender! Whatever I Was doing

Is not getting done today. I shall go 

and pull weeds. Let my mind Wander 

and my wheels Spin. Aimlessly. 

Wearing mis-matched earrings

And Sensible Shoes

Vera Gates

Gather with us to Learn, Explore, Share and Grow


Thurs, APR 2 - 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


9:30 - 10AM: Check-in, informal chat


10AM - 12PM: Postcard Exchange Display


10 - 10:45AM: Welcome, Announcements

Sue Agnew - Postcard Exchange Slide Show


10:45 - 11AM: Break


11AM - 12PM: SPEAKER: Beth Surdut:

The Art of Paying Attention: Intricate Nature Drawings

and True Stories.


WHAT’S HAPPENING CALENDAR

APR

2 PW Meeting, Beth Surdut, speaker

2 Winter Postcard Exchange Display and Slide Show

10 Field Trip - Land With No Name, 8:45AM: Meet at Kestrel Cafe

10 Ginger Burrell, Envelope Fan Book workshop, 10AM - 2PM, Pastel Society


MAY

7 PW Meeting, Roseann Hanson, speaker

7 Clean Out Your Closet Sale, 10AM - 12PM

Web

www.bethsurdut.com


IG

https://www.instagram.com/surdutbeth


Right: Roadie the roadrunner

Beth Surdut

The Art of Paying Attention: Intricate Nature Drawings and True Stories


Beth Surdut is a seasoned wildlife artist, writer and radio commentator. She is the creator of “Art of Paying Attention” illustrated nature radio series, heard and seen on NPR. Her “Listening to Raven” drawings and true stories earned her the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award for Nonfiction. A certified Environmental Educator, she combines storytelling, visual art, and science to observe and learn from the creatures with whom we share our lives.

If you practice the art of paying attention, you will find that grand adventures await you right outside your door. Paying attention brings care, care brings love, and love engenders protection. - Beth Surdut

MEMBERS' POSTCARD

DISPLAY and SLIDE SHOW

APR 2: 10AM - 12PM Postcard Display

and Slide Show by Sue Agnew  


Bring the postcards you received to display during the meeting. Look for the cards you made and add your signature for their new owners — and maybe connect with some of your secret pals! During the first half of the meeting, Sue Agnew will present a slide show of the postcards mailed. 

PW Spring Field Trip

The Land with No Name Sanctuary, southwest of Tucson

Website: www.thelandwithnoname.org


The Land with No Name Sanctuary (TLWNN) is a non-profit dedicated to the arts. What started as an outdoor sculpture park has grown into a multi-functional, multi-media space that holds workshops, hosts artists in residence, provides a place for retreats and sculpture tours. Their mission: "To gather land, art, and people together to create unbound experiences, engaging those who make and those who appreciate.”


FRIDAY, APR 10


Meeting Time: 8:45AM at the Kestrel Kafe

Meeting Place: Kestrel Kafe, 10390 S Sierrita Mountain Rd, Three Points, AZ

Map to Kafe: https://www.thelandwithnoname.org/getting-here 

   We will carpool from the Kestrel Kafe (about 40 mins ) to TLWNN 

   Actual Tour time at TLWNN: 10AM - 2PM

Cost: $25 MAX: 20 participants


Download PDF for Full Details: TLWNN Tour details


Contact: Deb Hilbert

FULL! GINGER BURRELL

Envelope Fan Book

In Person

APR 10  | 10AM - 2PM 

$60 | Max 15 

All materials will be provided.


Tucson Pastel Society 

2447 N. Los Altos Avenue

This workshop is fantastic for book artists and non-book artists because it is a “book” but it has a structure which will display and hold collages, paintings, photographs, etc.

It is one of my most popular structures. 

Bring your journal or sketch books,

snacks and water.  


Contact: Education Committee

Ginger has been a teacher all of her life. She literally set up a “school” on her driveway for the neighborhood kids! Ginger has a degree in Child and Adolescent Development, and a BFA in Photography. She been teaching art for adults exclusively for 19 years.

Coming Soon! Clean Out Your Closet Sale

May 7: 10AM - 12:00

Sales by Members only


Just in time for spring cleaning!

Bring in any and all supplies, priced and ready to sell. 

Or post a sign, “Take what you want, pay what you can”

providing a box for buyers to make a donation.


You will get half a table, at most, to work with.


You are responsible for removing ALL your items that go unsold at the end of the meeting. There will be no collection of unsold, ungifted items by PaperWorks.


You can donate your leftover materials to:

ReArt Craft & Art Thrift Store, 2434 N Pantano Rd, Tucson

Be sure to check store hours online or call PH: (520) 261-1169 

Gently used craft and art supplies inspire creativity, reduce over-consumption

and support Tucson’s artists and makers


HELP NEEDED

Open Board Positions for 2026-27 (SEPT - MAY)

Please consider volunteering your time, energy and ideas.

Five new volunteers have stepped up to fill Board vacancies next season.

But we still need a few helpers.

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Education Committee: 1 or 2 people needed to work with Judith & Sally; Responsibilities are shared in planning our popular series of workshops,

including instructor selection, scheduling, venue, promotion and sign ups. Coordinating promotional info with website, social media and enews; computer skills helpful.


Programs: 1 Co-Chair to work with Nancy; responsibilities are shared

Schedule, promote and introduce speakers at general meetings. Help speakers with AV and setup needs and coordinate questions after presentation. Maintain a list of potential speakers as referred by membership. Coordinate promotional info with website, social media and enews.


Social Media: 1 person needed: Updates Instagram and Facebook accounts

with current PW activities - exhibits, workshops, speakers etc.


We can share more information with you via email and begin mentoring you for fall. 

Reach out to Vera Gates at president@paperworks.info

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PaperWorks is thriving. 

Over 250 members are served by 19 Board members along with 17 organizers

who keep Creative Meetups and Postcard Exchanges rolling along.

Joining the PaperWorks Board expands your friendships and fills a valuable need.

You Complete Me Fundraiser - It's a Wrap

Lynn Gregson

Linda Penny

Our scholarship challenge and fundraiser exceeded all expectations!


Last month's You Complete Me auction raised $920 for this year’s scholarship program.

A big thank you goes out to those who participated in competitive bidding allowing us to raise more funds then we anticipated. We appreciate the members who took on the challenge, donating work of their own and completing that of another artist. What creative and thoughtful efforts! 


Our scholarship program is funded by individual donations, members contributing stipends from talks and workshops, contributions of matching funds and creative challenges to resell beautiful works of art. It takes many individuals collectively striving for a positive impact - within and beyond our organization - to make Paperworks what it is.


And it makes such a difference in the lives of artists

who receive your support and encouragement.


Thank you again to all of you!

Your support is greatly appreciated.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE

SOCIAL MEDIA

CHALLENGE

“What Inspires You?”



Please share your work on our social media project :"What's Been Inspiring Me Lately is..."


Posts are added on Wednesdays on our Instagram and Facebook accounts. To see an example, please go to the PW social media platforms. 

For more info or to sign-up

Contact: Mara Krumins


Instagram:

@PaperWorksTucson

FaceBook:

PaperWorks: the Sonoran Collective of Paper and Book Artists

STAY UP TO DATE


PaperWorks website Home page LINK

is a quick reference for current and upcoming activities.

It also links to our most recent Monthly Enews

Just click on the brown "Enews" button.


FaceBook and Instagram accounts [LINKS below]

Recent posts include photos of:

Member Spotlight: Carolyn Gonzales and Bess Woodworth

  • Images from Heather Bentz NeoColor II MAR workshop
  • Examples of work by Book Arts Creative Meetup
  • Show and Share Creative Meetup displays at FEB Meeting
  • Works in progress by Collage Creations Creative Meetup
  • Reminders about upcoming Workshops

and much more.


Instagram:

@PaperWorksTucson

LIKE your favorites.


FaceBook:

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: Jpegs only, Sno larger than 1 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.