Leandra Spangler's passion for papermaking began in 1986 when she first plunged her hands into a vat of pulp. In the subsequent years, Leandra has explored numerous ways of making and using paper (handmade and found) as a medium in her creative artistic expressions. After twenty five years of teaching art in the public schools, Leandra became a full time studio artist in June, 2000.

Spangler creates an armature, woven from reed, lashed bamboo and/or wire, as the bones for her contemporary basketry. Highly textured handmade paper of black denim creates the skin. The paper exoskeleton is sealed and finished with layers and layers of color. These sculptural vessels are shown across the country at invitational and juried exhibitions.

About her work, Leandra says:

I am intrigued by the way light falls on a surface creating highlights and subtle variations of shadow. To create interesting variations on the paper surface, I press found objects into newly formed sheets of (cotton water leaf) handmade paper. These vessels: simple reed and paper structures are often misidentified as metal, ceramic or stone. Viewers are intrigued by the visual and physical paradox: the perception of weight and mass and the reality of paper and reed.

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Exhibitions

Winter 2011 Exhibition
Preston Contemporary Art Center
January 14- April 30, 2011
1755 Avenida de Mercado
PO Box 1022
Mesilla, NM 88046
575-523-8713
www.prestoncontemporaryart.com

Featured artist: July 2011
Alliance Art Gallery
Hannibal, MO
www.hannibalallianceartgallery.com

 

 

Classes at Bear Creek Paperworks

Leandra Spangler will teach these workshops in her studio, Bear Creek Paperworks, in Columbia, MO. For more information or to register, contact leandra@bearcreekpaperworks.com Class size is kept small (6 - 10) to assure plenty of individual attention. Check your calendar and join in the fun. If you can't make these dates and want personal one-on-one instruction or studio time, call 573-442-3360 for arrangements.

 

January 8, 2010
COPTIC BINDING
10 am - 4 pm $65 includes all materials

Learn an ancient and beautiful book structure with exposed stitching along the spine. Coptic binding allows a book to open flat creating a comfortable surface for writing or drawing. This binding takes practice to master, but the results are worth it. No previous book making experience is necessary.

February 5, 2011
PAPERMAKING FROM PLANTS
10 am - 4 pm $65 includes all materials

Learn the process of making paper from common plants from harvesting, preparations, cooking, beating to forming sheets. If you've never made paper from beater processed plant pulps, this is an opportunity to explore a variety of plant fibers (day lily leaves, surprise lily leaves, daffodil/jonquil leaves, and more). No previous papermaking experience is necessary. Great for beginning or experienced papermakers.

April 23, 2011
SMALL BOOKS: A PRIMER
10 am - 4 pm $59 includes all materials

Learn simple stitched bookmaking basics: pamphlet binding, stab binding, multiple signatures as well as closures, soft and hard cover construction. You will construct several small books. No bookmaking experience necessary.

This class is offered through the Columbia Area Career Center, but will be held at Bear Creek Paperworks. To register: 573-214-3803; lfunk@columbia.k12.mo.us; Columbia Area Career Center

May 14, 2011
LUMINARIA
1-4 pm $39 includes all materials

Watching the flicker of candlelight through translucent paper is both beautiful and warming on a summer's eve. Create a luminary using glass containers and delicate papers to give as a gift or keep for yourself. No sculpture experience is necessary.

This class is offered through the Columbia Area Career Center, but will be held at Bear Creek Paperworks. To register: 573-214-3803; lfunk@columbia.k12.mo.us; Columbia Area Career Center

HAND PAPERMAKING -- EXPERIMENTATION AND EXPLORATION
June 20 ­ 24, 2011, M-F
9 am-4 pm; studio available evenings

Emphasizing experimentation with papermaking techniques, participants will use cotton linter pulp to make many samples of handmade paper. Techniques will include: flat sheet forming, layering color blocks, layering shapes of color (stencil/shaped deckles), shaping pulps by hand, creating textures (impressing, appliqué, hand manipulation), pulp painting and wet collage. Use of watermarks, pulp inclusions, pulp coloration, paper chemistry (sizing, formation aid), pulp preparation from linters and drying methods will be discussed. Students will construct a mould and deckle.

Earn two hours (graduate or undergraduate) college credit through Central Methodist University.  This course can be audited or taken for continuing professional units.

Class will be held at Bear Creek Paperworks Studio in Columbia, MO  573-442-3360

SIMPLE BOOKS:  SIMPLE STRUCTURES
June 27-July 1, 2011, M-F
9 am-4 pm; studio available evenings

Learn folding without measuring, invisible joining, removable covers, hard covers and closures, as you create a sampling of books using simple structures. Participants will learn: flag, photo and envelope books based on the accordion fold; use the clam/lotus fold to create star, inchworm and ornament books and stitched structures using pamphlet binding, stab binding and Coptic binding. Of special interest to creative writing and elementary/secondary education students, these inviting book structures will excite young readers and nonreaders and will also provide an interesting format for classroom presentations in all subject areas.

Earn two hours (graduate or undergraduate) college credit through Central Methodist University.  This course can be audited or taken for continuing professional units.

Class will be held at Bear Creek Paperworks Studio in Columbia, MO  573-442-3360

FLAT TO FORM:  USING PAPER AS A SCULPTURAL MEDIUM
July 18-22, 2011, M-F
9 am-4 pm; studio available evenings

Learn to turn flat sheets of beautiful papers into three-dimensional forms. Using both wet and dry techniques, you will explore the versatility of paper as a sculptural medium by casting onto found objects and constructed molds as well as creating reed, stick or wire sculptural forms as armatures.  Finishing techniques, embellishment and archival qualities of paper will be discussed.

Earn two hours (graduate or undergraduate) college credit through Central Methodist University.  This course can be audited or taken for continuing professional units.

Class will be held at Bear Creek Paperworks Studio in Columbia, MO  573-442-3360

Central Methodist University registration information:

jcarter@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6384 or leandra@bearcreekpaperworks.com

Central Methodist University fees:

Audit/CPU (no credit):  $350
2 hours undergraduate credit:  $350
2 hours graduate credit:  $430
plus materials fee: $35 to instructor on the first day of class

Off site opportunities:

National Basketry Organization Conference
August 2-7, 2011
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

SKIN & BONES

Create the bones of a sculptural form using the traditional basket making technique of twining, but with a twist. These pliable armatures will be twisted, curled or expanded into sculptural forms pleasing to the maker.  Held rigid during drying and sheathing, the skeletal structure of reed will be covered with skin of decorative/handmade papers.  Selection of papers and pattern of appliqué will individualize each participant's form creating a unique personal expression.  No two will be alike.

This technique/process can be used for creating work for the wall or pedestal.  Mechanics for hangers, creating bases, building in balance and care of completed sculptural work will be addressed. 

www.nationalbasketry.org, 828-837-1280, m.davis@nationalbasketry.org