We’re pleased to release our first of four Postcard Poems! These 5×7″ broadsides feature a poem from a NY state writer, artwork created in response to the poem by a NY state artist, and is printed in… you guessed it… New York! You can purchase the broadside here, individually, or as part of a subscription for all 4.
About the writer
Our first broadside features the poem “Fallen Ash Tree” by Joseph Bruchac. Since his first publication in a student literary magazine in 1963, Joseph Bruchac’s poems —which often reflect the Adirondack region and his Abenaki ancestry—have appeared in hundreds of magazines and anthologies. Bruchac is currently the Poet Laureate of Saratoga Springs. “Fallen Ash Tree” was previously published in No Borders: New Poems by Joseph Bruchac, Holy Cow! Press, 1999, Duluth, MN.
About the artist
The broadside features artwork by Plattsburgh-based artist Megan Charland. Charland is an interdisciplinary artist with 15+ years working in the visual arts field. She earned her MFA in Visual Studies from Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY where she focused on social practice and indie publishing. When she’s not wearing her “arts administrator hat” she’s spending every waking moment in her home studio. Charland’s art practice primarily consists of zines, collage, cyanotypes, letterpress, and risography with themes generally surrounding home, family, and longing.
About the press
“Fallen Ash Tree” was printed in sea foam, orchid, & teal by Rathaus Press, a queer-run risograph print shop based in Rochester, NY. Established in 2021 by Evan Bobrow, Rathaus offers 18 riso colors and full design services, with the goal of making risograph accessible to everyone, and to elevate the voices of queer artists through print. In addition to printing and publishing Rathaus Press also offers space, workshops, and events to the community.
What is risograph printing?
A Risograph printer is a stencil duplicator. It is capable of printing in many colors, but only one at a time. Each color has a specific ink drum that is loaded into the machine. The image itself is burned onto a rice paper master and then wrapped around the drum, where ink is then pushed through it (similar to screen printing). The process is often described as a cross between screen printing and photocopying.
Risograph duplicators are used for a variety of things, from office settings to zines, flyers, books, posters, and art prints. Because they use a soy based ink, the process is cheaper long term and more environmentally sustainable.
Postcard Poems is a collaboration between Visiting Writer Erin Dorney and the Adirondack Center for Writing as part of the Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) Artist Employment Program.
Each Postcard Poem is printed in a limited edition of 100, so get yours now!
One thought on “Postcard Poems: Fallen Ash Tree by Joseph Bruchac”