Turn: An Artist Book

by: A. Martinez
71 3Arts supporters
$5,964 raised of $5,000 goal
3ARTS MATCH
0 Days 0:00:00 LEFT
Funded on November 06, 2021
    • 3ARTS MATCH
    • 119% contributed

I am a poet and visual artist who has always dreamed of combining my work in these artforms together into a beautifully hand-bound artist book. With this campaign, I am hoping to realize this dream by raising funds to produce a limited-edition artist book called Turn. My goal is to create an edition of 100 hand-bound, letterpress books with an accompanying recording of the poems as well as an audio described version. The poems and drawings are largely complete, but will be collected and published together for the first time as a complete body of work. These pieces reference some of the most beautiful and darkest moments of my life, spanning the years when I was pregnant, became a new mom, dealt with substance abuse in the family, a separation, and uprooting and finding a new home. I take solace in making art and writing about these experiences, however, with how isolated we can become, my real lifeline during it all was connecting to other people—knowing that I was not alone, and that others before me have gotten through these things. By putting this body of work together, I hope to share these experiences with others who may see themselves not only in my isolation and vulnerability, but also in my strength, my growth, and my joy.


About This Project

The works of poetry and drawing in this book were developed during and about a particular period of transition in my life and how I located myself and the idea of home within those transitions emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It is important to me to create this book to both process and name my experience, but also to be able to share a particular vulnerability with the world in a way that connects us together.

I’ve talked about making this book for many years, but this campaign opportunity feels like the right moment. I knew I wanted to self-publish this book because as an artist it was important for me to have control over the look, the feel, and the way the book is held and consumed. I am excited to be working with an incredible team of collaborators whose work I admire and respect, and who will help me bring this book project to life. This team will include book artist April Sheridan, who will provide design help and production consultation; poet WLS who will lend editorial assistance; and letterpress artist Raychel Steinbach of Current Location Press, who will be printing the limited edition letterpressed text. I am also excited to create a professional recording of the poems and audio description at Foxhall Studios, who has produced many of the Chicago indie albums we know and love. Your contributions toward this campaign will help cover collaborator fees, materials, and production costs. The final product will be available in 2022.

Thank you so much for your support in helping me create my first book of poems and art!

Thank yous

Contribute any amount or choose from the levels below.

  • $10
    Shout out on social media & e-newsletter ($10.00 is tax deductible.)
  • $25
    Above, plus a personal thank you letter written on my typewriter! ($25.00 is tax deductible.)
  • $50
    Above, plus a signed letterpress broadside ($15.00 is tax deductible.)
  • $75
    Signed copy of the book with your name included, PLUS social media shout out & personal typewritten thank you (30 available) ($25.00 is tax deductible.)
  • $150
    Signed copy of the book with your name included, PLUS a print of a drawing from the book or letter-pressed broadside, and personal thank you (15 available) ($65.00 is tax deductible.)
  • $500
    Signed copy of the book with your name included, PLUS an original, signed 5x7” piece, a print of a drawing from the book or letter-pressed broadside, a personal typewritten thank you, & social shout out (5 available) ($115.00 is tax deductible.)



A. Martinez

 Make a Wave Artist

A.Martinez is an interdisciplinary visual artist, poet, mother, and community and arts organizer living in Chicago. She received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Writing Program. Her work explores identity, memory, spirituality, and the body …

View A. Martinez's profile
  • Update 1: You've helped me reach my goal for Turn! ? ? Stretch goal activated!
    Posted on October 06, 2021

     

    Greetings everyone!

     

    In just 9 days after the launch of my fundraising campaign for Turn, YOU and 64 other amazing and generous people have helped me reach my goal for my artist book! (Wowow!)

     

    THANK YOU to: Aaron Cohen, Amelia Visnauskas, Amy Unger, Anita Massari, Anne Patterson, Annee Ingala, Antony Ablan, Anya Tanyavutti, Arlene & Larry Dunn, Ayanna Woods, Chelsea Ross, Claire Chase, Clara Lyon, Connie Machan, Daniel Schlosberg, David Bontumasi, David Krieg, Deirdre Harrison, Derek Bell, Devin DeLaney, Doyle Armbrust, Erica Hoffman, Giuliana Molinaro, Gordon Kummel, Hannah Israelsohn, Herr/Goldberg Family, Hunter Diamond, Ivan Pyzow, Jennifer Read, Joshua Goldsmith, Julius Moriarty, Justin Kreindler, Kaitlin Foley, Katherine Young, Kati Llewellyn, Katinka Kleijn, Kira Ticus, Kirsten Tourville, Liam Cunningham, Lily West, Lydia Link, Macie Stewart, Maeve Feinberg, Marc Rehmar, Marion Nowak, Mary Jones, Monica Samelson, Nathalie Joachim, Nicholas Jirasek, Olivia Dockery, Rebekah Heller, Robert Dillon, Ryan Keesling, Sarahann Kolder, Sima Cunningham, Spencer Tweedy, Svetlana Binshtok, Teniola Odunsi, Thomas Comerford, Veronica Nemirovsky, & Wendy Spacek! 

     

    I am so grateful for each and every one of you and your support. You are the best. 

     

    While I have reached my initial fundraising goal, 3Arts gives the ability for artists to set a “stretch goal” which enables me to raise additional money for project costs. I intend to use this to cover more generous stipends to collaborators, cover the cost of productions of prints & broadsides (a thank you gift I added after the initial budget), and plan a book release event (you are all invited!).

     

    I have until November 6th to keep raising money for this project. It would mean the world to me if you would share this on your social media pages. Here’s the link to the project - https://3arts.org/projects/turn/ Huge thanks to all of you who have already shared it!

     

    More soon, 

    Alyssa

    Update 2: We did it! TURN is funded.
    Posted on November 15, 2021
    Light-skinned black mother wearing hand-dyed bandana and clear framed glasses with a big smile, holding her 6 yr old light-skinned kid with long brown curly hair in front of an array of fall items, corn stalks, hay bales, and pumpkins

     

    Thank you from a happy mom and her happy kid!

    HELLO!

     

    Firstly, I want to thank each and every one of you who contributed to this fundraiser and helped me reach my goal for TURN. I am so full of gratitude for my friends, family, community, and larger 3Arts community that really came through to support me in this important work. 

     

    I'll be reaching out to all of you individually via email to thank you as well as ask some of you for your mailing addresses for your perks—please keep an eye out for that. 

     

    Now as the weather gets colder and the days get darker, I plan to retreat into work mode and deeply focus on finishing the content of the book. (Please feel free to send encouraging notes! I will need them ?)

     

    If you'd like to stay in the loop about TURN progress as well as my other upcoming work and projects, please sign up for my newsletter!

    I am truly honored and humbled to be able to make my art and share it with the world. Thank you for your support. 

     

    Sincerely, 

    A.Martinez 

     

     

    Update 3: March 2024 TURN Update!
    Posted on March 23, 2024
    Photo collage of TURN in process images

     

    • Thank you to the following for contributing to 3Arts with the recommendation that we support this project.

    • Ayanna Woods

    • Doyle Armbrust

    • Marc Rehmar

    • Anonymous Supporter

    • Aaron Cohen

    • Monica Samelson

    • Marion Nowak

    • Julius Moriarty

    • Maeve Feinberg

    • Connie Machan

    • Nicholas Jirasek

    • Spencer Tweedy

    • Anonymous Supporter

    • Lawrence Dunn

    • ryan keesling

    • Derek Bell

    • Lily West

    • Svetlana Binshtok

    • Hunter Diamond

    • Veronica Nemirovsky

    • Joshua Goldsmith

    • Ivan Pyzow

    • Justin Kreindler

    • Anonymous Supporter

    • Lydia Link

    • Herr/Goldberg Family

    • Amy Unger

    • Thomas Comerford

    • Claire Chase

    • Jennifer Read

    • kati llewellyn

    • Robert Dillon

    • Kira Ticus

    • Gordon Kummel

    • Amelia Visnauskas

    • Sima Cunningham

    • Katinka Kleijn

    • Katherine Young

    • Devin DeLaney

    • Deirdre Harrison

    • Daniel Schlosberg

    • Kaitlin Foley

    • Clara Lyon

    • Anonymous Supporter

    • Giuliana Molinaro

    • Anne Patterson

    • Sarahann Kolder

    • Teniola Odunsi

    • Anya Tanyavutti

    • Chelsea Ross

    • Liam Cunningham

    • Macie Stewart

    • Wendy Spacek

    • Nathalie Joachim

    • Antony Ablan

    • Hannah Israelsohn

    • olivia dockery

    • annee ingala

    • Rebekah Heller

    • Kirsten Tourville

    • Anita Massari

    • Erica Hoffman

    • Mary Jones

    • David Krieg

    • David Bontumasi

    • Charis Rose

    • Brett Swinney

    • Mesha Arant

    • Leslie Hansen

    • Raymond Koltys

    • Sarah Wheatley

make it work

 

3AP Presenting Partner:

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 Additional support provided by: 

Department of Cultural Affairs logo  Illinois Arts Council