Stop by the HCCC Craft Garden to watch United by Hand artist Drew Cameron conduct a papermaking demonstration as part of the ongoing Combat Paper initiative. Drawing from the 2,000-year-old tradition of Western hand papermaking, Drew will be repurposing plant-based fibers from donated military uniforms and civilian clothing into handmade paper.

While the United by Hand exhibition is on view, the public is invited to donate uniforms for this demonstration and ongoing project. Visitors are also invited to cut the donated textiles into small pieces in preparation for papermaking. This activity will take place in the main gallery throughout the exhibition.

At the demonstration, Drew will take the small pieces of fiber and feed them into a Hollander Beater, making pulp for a handmade paper flag, 9.5 x 5: Houston, which will be on view in the exhibition as well as at the Combat Paper Workshop held the following day. The flag will serve as a symbol of communal support for the veterans’ population and a pledge of commitment to raising awareness about war. The Combat Paper Demonstration and Workshop will promote an open and accessible atmosphere, in which visitors can share their stories and participate in a dialogue about war at home and abroad.