Paper as Politic Symposium

Calls for Presentations at George Mason University

Paper as Politic Symposium - April 16-18, 2026

Hosted by The School of Art and Design

Papermaking considers paper as both a material and a political act. The symposium brings together artists, scholars, and makers who explore how papermaking engages questions of labor, inheritance, and representation.

Paper is approached not only as a surface but as a carrier of memory, marked by the fibers, water, and touch that shape it. Discussions will highlight how paper making resists erasure, cultivates collaboration, and embraces radical formats where the medium becomes a platform for both independent voices and collective interventions. By foregrounding both the fragility and persistence of the medium, the symposium positions paper as a site of creative agency and a vehicle for collective reflection.

George Mason University is pleased to announce a call for presentations for our upcoming symposium focused on the art, craft, history, and future of paper. We invite artists, scholars, educators, students, and historians from across disciplines to submit proposals for presentations and workshops.

Paper as Politic Submission topics may include—but are not limited to:

  • Traditional hand papermaking techniques
  • Contemporary and experimental approaches
  • Sustainability and ecological impact in papermaking
  • Paper as artistic medium or social commentary
  • Papermaking in education and community engagement
  • Cross-cultural papermaking traditions
  • The science of paper materials and fiber studies
  • Archival concerns and the preservation of handmade papers
Submission Formats

We welcome proposals for the following formats:

  • 15-minute presentations (individual or joint)
  • Hands-on workshops or demonstrations
Proposal Guidelines

Please submit the following:

  • Presenter(s) name(s) and affiliation(s)
  • Presentation title
  • 250–300 word abstract
  • 100-word bio per presenter
  • Preferred presentation format
  • Any technical or space requirements (if applicable)
Deadline for Submissions

Deadline: January 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Submit your proposal to School of Art.

 

Symposium Details
  • Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
  • Dates: April 16 – 18, 2026
  • Registration opens: January 2026 

For more information, please contact us at the School of Art.

Registration and Logistics

Registration Fee

Registration Fee
Self-pay $100.00
Institution Pay $150.00 

Symposium Registration 

Fee Self-Pay – $100 This rate is for individuals who are paying out of pocket and are not receiving financial support from a university, employer, or other institution. 

Institution Pay – $150 This rate is for participants whose registration is being paid or reimbursed by their university, department, employer, grant, or other institutional funding source. If you are receiving institutional support, we kindly ask that you select the $150 rate. 

The additional amount helps offset the reduced self-pay and need-based registration options, allowing us to keep the event accessible to those funding their own participation. 

To pay your registration fee, please visit School of Art, Marketplace 

Lodging: Hotel Room Block 

The Residence Inn by Marriott in Fairfax City, Virginia We have a hotel block reserved at The Residence Inn by Marriott in Fairfax City. 

Please make your reservations by March 19th to take advantage of the block rate of $149/night. Book your group rate for Paper as Politic Symposium - School of Art-GMU Room Block 

Parking: 

Shenandoah Parking Deck:
10401 York River Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 

Ride Share: Please use the address below for drop-off: 
Art and Design Building (building on left -whitish brick) 
4515 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030 

Ride share vehicles may drop you off at the loading dock. The elevator is in the center of the building. Please proceed to the 1st floor, The Gillespie Gallery of Art which is located by the front entrance of the Art and Design Building. 

Shenandoah Parking Deck, Visitor Parking Stations 

Visitor parking at the Rappahannock Parking Deck & Shenandoah Parking Deck requires prepayment. Shenandoah Visitor Levels are on 1, 4, & 5. Please note your license plate and proceed to the pay stations near the elevators. Shenandoah pay stations are found on Levels 1 & 3. You do not have to display anything in your vehicle. We will enforce by license plate. Failure to pay upon arrival may result in a “Parking Overtime” Citation. 

Instructions 

  • Press OK to enter menu 
  • Key in your license plate 
  • Select if you would like to pay for parking or extend your current reservation 
  • Select the duration of your stay by pressing the corresponding number on the keypad 
  • Pay for your parking.