“Hand-Lettering as Creative Practice”, an exhibit of work by Kathleen O’Connell, is on display at the museum from March 5–September 20, 2025. 

About the work: “Hand lettering became a critical part of my creative practice. Each morning, for years, I sat at my kitchen table and drew in a sketchbook. Usually, this involved a cup of coffee, listening to the news, or looking out the window into a bird-filled backyard.”

“I set simple rules for drawing: no pressure to be good; and no expectation of selling or exhibiting the work. I posted some drawings online to stay accountable for regular practice. I enjoyed the creative play of choosing words to write—specifically thinking about letter forms, color, and shape. After becoming a mother in 2021, I shifted to other creative outlets squeezed in during office hours or the rare day when my child was in daycare and I did not have work.”

“Themes that emerged ranged from politics to gratitude, nature, grief, or nonsense. While these works offer a snapshot of a specific time, they still resonate.”

Sketchbook Pages with Patterns
2017-2020
Digital print, from sketchbook pages, on Moab Entrada Rag paper
Each folio, 8.5 x 11 inches; variable installation size

“This exhibition features inkjet prints of scanned hand-lettered drawings and drawn patterns that are then creased, sewn, and mounted to the wall. The pieces are shown in this way, so they have a unique presence and allude to the book format.”

These Past Few Weeks
2024-2025
Digital print, from hand lettered pages, on Moab Entrada Rag paper
Each folio, 8.5 x 11 inches; variable installation size

“These Past Few Weeks is a recent collection of drawings that resulted from taking a calligraphy workshop with Lorrie Frear at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum as part of the 2024 Wayzgoose. Drawing letter forms for an entire day reminded me of the importance of hand lettering in my creative practice, so I made space for it again.”

Untitled Original Sketchbooks
2017-2020
Sketchbooks
9 x 12 inches, open

“While this exhibition is limited to hand lettering works from my sketchbooks, the influence of this creative practice is reflected in the content of all the prints, artist’s books, and works on paper that I have created since 2015.”

About the artist: Kathleen O’Connell (she/her) is an educator, printmaker, book artist, type and lettering enthusiast, mother, stepmother, amateur gardener, perpetual organizer, and former ferry boat deckhand—all of which inform her artworks and artistic practice. She works and exhibits nationally and internationally and teaches Book Arts, Letterpress and Print Media courses at Middle Tennessee State University. 

Portfolio: www.kathleen.oconnell.net