“Art making is cultural work,” says Russelle. “It has political and spiritual dimensions. The central themes in my books and prints are the deep questions in my life. Mostly, I am haunted by the great American question, ‘What might we become?’ How do we shape a day, a week, a communal life, the way of the city, and the larger world beyond? Who is my neighbor, who my kin?”
Russelle established Cedar Fence Press in 1999, a small independent press that publishes limited edition books and prints. She teaches books arts and papermaking for undergraduate and graduate students at Augsburg College and beginning through advanced letterpress printing at MCBA. Russelle began making one-of-a-kind books during graduate work at Hamline University in the mid-1990s and has been making books on her own and with others ever since. Her award honors include winning the Minnesota Book Awards Fine Press Award in 2007 and being named a finalist for the same award in 2000, 2001 and 2006.
An exhibit celebrating Russelle’s work ran January 21 through March 6, 2011 in the second floor commons of the Open Book Literary Arts Center, in Minneapolis. A reception showcasing the exhibit took place on Friday, February 4. In her prepared remarks, Russelle acknowledged the “backstage enablers” – people who make things happen behind the scenes but don’t always get seen. She also talked about why she does what she does, and where she gets her inspiration. “I know some poems by heart. If you ever want to do something particularly powerful for yourself and your life, this is one way… I think of people as books. We are anthologies. You can make a poem a part of your anthology.” She went on to ask the room, “Why is it we do what we do? Reasons are important. Mary Frank’s list (below) is from a painter’s point of view, but I think it could be just as easily from a reader or viewer’s point of view. Such distinctions are small. It has helped me as a reader and viewer and maker of books.”
“Reasons for Art,” by Mary Frank:
- to comfort the dead
- to awake the living
- to know migrations of seasons, of birds, of fish
- to feel the power of color and shape
- to fill an unspoken hunger for community
- to give courage
- to use the heart
- to risk
- to never be afraid of tenderness or the absurd
- to gather joy
Russelle also received special recognition and an award at the 23rd annual Minnesota Book Awards gala on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Saint Paul Riverfront. Awards were presented that evening to winners of the eight book categories as well as the Readers’ Choice Award (sponsored by Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com), and the Kay Sexton Award (sponsored by Common Good Books), recognizing an individual for significant contributions to Minnesota’s literary community.