Handmade paper books and cards paired with poetry will be showcased at the next exhibit in Ashford University’s Cortona Art Gallery October 17-November 12. “Breaking the Binding” will feature the artist books created by Susan Pagnucci and the poetry of Franco Pagnucci.
Susan Pagnucci has been doing paper design since retiring from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP). She soon began collaborating with her poet husband to create handmade artist poetry books. Her cards and books are displayed in several galleries in the upper Midwest including the Minneapolis Center for Book Arts, the Hill Manuscript Museum Library at St John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and the Kohler Arts Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She regularly publishes in Take Ten, Gallery, Stampers’ Sampler, Catch-Up, and other periodicals.
Franco Pagnucci is an emeritus professor of English at UWP and has published storytelling books for teachers and students and three volumes of his own poetry: Out Harmsen's Way; I Never Had a Pet; and Ancient Moves; as well as two poetry anthologies: Face the Poem and New Roads Old Towns. His essays have appeared in such publications as The Christian Science Monitor and Commonweal. Pagnucci’s poems have been published in many periodicals and anthologies, including: News of the Universe, American Voices, and The Best American Poetry, 1999.
On Thursday, November 10, Susan will show Ashford art classes how to create an art book. Later in the day, a reception for the artists will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the art gallery. At 4 p.m. Franco will read excerpts from Susan's artist books.
The Pagnuccis are the parents of Anna Pagnucci, Ashford University art professor.
The Cortona Art Gallery is located on the second floor of Ashford University’s Clare Hall at 400 North Bluff Boulevard in Clinton. The Gallery is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College (MSC) and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. For many years, Sister Cortona influenced the quality of education at the college through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts. She also served as MSC Academy principal and as dean of students at the college.
The Gallery is open to the public, free of charge, every weekday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and for private showings by appointment. For further information, please call 563.242.4023.
About Ashford University
Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.