By Caitlin Joyce ’20

Carole Loeffler, associate professor and chair of Visual and Performing Arts, created a mail art project titled “symbols of hope” in order to support the United States Postal Service during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the project, Loeffler crafted collages on her handmade envelopes and letters, utilizing materials such as old photographs, vintage scrap paper, and recipe cards. Written on the letters were messages of support, as well as information about safe handling of mail according to the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Since she began the project in late April, Loeffler created 200 collages based on her “Granny Graffiti” work. The art pieces were sent to over 100 addresses throughout the United States, and a few to mailboxes abroad in Brazil, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

“It was wonderful connecting with people, some of whom I knew, and most I didn’t,” said Loeffler. “It was so nice to be able to offer something positive to send out into the world and to support the post office at the same time.”