Greetings from Pullman and the Mosnart Artist Residency

Mosnart Artist Residency

Screenshot

 

The late winter day has been stunning for so many reasons.  I loaded up the car as I prepared for a 5 day residency at JB Daniel‘s MosnartArtist Residency.  (More on that in a bit.)

“Keep Hope alive.”  Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr Homegoing in Pullman today.

The fog was thick, leaving Chicago’s North side.  As I headed down the Dan Ryan towards Pullman, I listened to the live Homegoing, at The People’s Celebration at the House of Hope, for the great, late Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.   I was driving right in to the wonderful Chicago community where past presidents Clinton, Biden, Obama, along with wives Dr. Biden and Secretary Clinton, along with Gov JB Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor B. Johnson, were all attending.   I probably could have gone later in the afternoon but who wouldn’t want to be close to such a celebration of Rev Jackson’s life, traffic snarl and all?  Last week, I made the opportunity to attend the public viewing of the reverend at Operation Breadbasket and PUSH headquarters.  In my home city for 40+ years I felt drawn to honor the renowned man of Chicago, this nation, and this globe of humanity.  Tearing up while enroute, listening to the live proceedings while driving, was simply part of what I knew would be.  I search deeply for such grace, humor, intellecct, and human connection from our contemporary leaders out of Washington DC.  I have come out of such a search wanting.

“Keep Hope alive.”  Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr

Which brings me to today and the coming days while here at Mosnart.  Along with fellow artist Pate Conaway, we will be experiencing this amazing opportunity in the world for creatives, researchers, academics of all kinds.  The historic Pullman community is an amazing place where neighbors know neighbors.  Neighbors help neighbors.  Yes, neighbors irritate neighbors.  This is my second residency experience here at Mosnart and thrilled  to be welcomed back by JB and Amy!

Pate and I are offering up a community workshop on Saturday March 7, 2026 from 3-6p titled Mail Art for the People by the People.  No reservations needed.  Here are more details:

Mail Art by the People for the People
11319 S Saint Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60628
Visiting artists Pate Conaway and Catherine Schwalbe at Mosnart
present a community workshop as part of their Mosnart visiting artist residency…
FREE and open to the public
Saturday March 6, 2026 3-6pm 
A perspective: Politicians get calls. Politicians get emails. Politicians get petitions. Politicians cannot ignore a piece of mail received. It is tangible. It is formidable. Mail Art only magnifies the sense of importance while garnering deserved attention to the most crucial decisions of our republic. Cathi and Pate providing a mail art session for the community – write your friends, senators, or white house?
• Mailing addresses for all Congressional members provided by the artists.
• Postage provided by the artists.
• Collage material provided by the artists (or bring you own)
• Political opinions must be provided by the participants
 
Refreshments, camaraderie, creativity, and maybe a bit of mayhem 

Pictured:  Custom rubber stamps Eugene Debs and George Pullman for the are making.

“Keep Hope alive!”  Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr
 
Perforating my Artist Stamp Sheets, an edition of 50 or so, will be part of my practice here at Mosnart. The stamp sheets will be part of a Multiple collaboration facilitated by the amazing Adam Roussopoulos of Minneapolis.  Thank you for the open invitation Adam.  You too, dear reader, could participate with your very own Artist Stamp Sheet!
 
As always, thanks for reading.
In Art, Mail Art, Stamp Sheets, perforating, and a boatload of Keeping Hope Alive,
Cathi