NELSONVILLE, Ohio — After 22 years, Paper Circle is closing its Nelsonville studio June 30. But it may live on through a proposed paper museum in Athens.
Paper Circle, located at 35 W. Columbus St., was formed in 2002 by Sara Gilfert for “the preservation, advancement, education and celebration of paper making, book arts and printmaking.”
Gilfert passed away in March 2024 at age 93.
Paper Circle Executive Director Barbara “Scout” Ery said Paper Circle was Gilfert’s “legacy” and “dream.” Ery said. Because of this, the organization decided to close the Nelsonville studio after her passing.
Before Gilfert died, Don Adleta, professor emeritus of graphic design at Ohio University, spoke with her about an idea: making an interactive, experimental museum centered around paper making, letterpress printing and more. Gilfert was “very excited” about the idea, Adleta said, and expressed interest in moving Paper Circle into the museum because of a lack of traffic near the Nelsonville studio.
“She loved [the idea of the museum],” Adleta said. “She wanted her legacy to live on, and we thought that [idea] was fantastic.”
After Gilbert’s death, Adleta became president of Paper Circle’s board of directors and indicated that the organization should be a part of the proposed museum. Adleta said the board members and owners were “in alignment” with this idea.
“I was actually made president and was brought into the directors as part of the sunsetting of Paper Circle,” Adleta said. “So it was something I knew that I was getting myself into — something that was not so bright of a task. But everyone knew what was going to be happening.”
As of now, the interactive printing museum is still in its “planning stages,” Adleta said.
Adleta has his eye on a space for the proposed museum, but could not share more details because they are not finalized. But the project has an established bank account, is registered as a nonprofit, and has multiple parties interested in supporting and collaborating with the proposed project.
Adleta said the museum will offer demonstrations on paper-making and bookbinding and restoration, as well as workshops on letterpress printing. It also could provide a potential residency space for artists and designers.
