An Interview with Francesca Maida, Collageria
A word to the beginning Collagists - just START! We interviewed Francesca Maida, founder of Collageria, about her love for collaging and crafting. We're thrilled to partner with Francesca as part of our Craft This Way event series - read to hear what she has to say about her love for collaging and what it means to be a collage-extraordinaire.
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What does crafting/creating mean to you?
Oh, everything. I don't know how to even put it into words — it's storytelling, emotion, problem-solving, therapy, beauty, and communication. Creating with my hands is a welcome opportunity to slow down in this fast-paced world, especially after a whole day of graphic design on the computer. Sometimes I collage to express my feelings, and other times it's to lose myself in the process instead of focusing on the finished product. I have learned about patience, grace, and embracing imperfections through my collage practice. In bringing collage workshops to New Yorkers over the last year, I've been so fortunate to meet so many kind, creative, and collaborative people, proving that creating can be fun and social as well.
What interests you about sustainable journaling?
I've always been interested in documenting my life, but have found that I don't really enjoy doing so through the traditional media of photography or long-form journaling. Even before studying graphic design, where my interest in how things look piqued, I collected stuff — hoarding museum pamphlets, ticket stubs, and beautiful receipts. Only within the last year did I figure out what to do with that junk, getting exposed to junk journaling as a means of memory-keeping through elevating everyday items into art. I loved that it was a visual representation of the life I lived (writing optional!) in the big and small moments. It also forced me to find beauty in the otherwise thrown-out ephemera we accumulate.
How long have you been teaching for?
The real answer? My entire life! I'm the oldest, between my sister and me, so unfortunately for her, I've always been a teacher, ready to pass on knowledge. Professionally, I've led graphic design teams over the last 4 years, and have taught collage workshops for about a year. Now, I'm in a whole new chapter of learning how to teach at scale, as Collageria, my analog collage workshop business, takes on larger venues and has the opportunity to cater to more participants.
What other projects do you have in the works besides journaling?
While I will always gravitate towards magazines, I'm always testing new materials to use in my work. My friend Zoe is an interior designer and recently brought me some vinyl flooring samples, which I'm so excited to cut up. At the moment, I'm playing with new tools and techniques, like using inkjet prints and incorporating fabric. When developing new Collageria workshops, I also do a lot of research and experimentation to create fresh new themes.
Why do you keep coming back to this medium?
I love the fluidity of collage. The word "collage" derives from a French word meaning "to glue," a generously vague definition that leaves so much room for interpretation. Some days I incorporate more paints and fewer clippings; other days, it's full-bleed paper pieces and colored-pencil mark-making. I like that variety is built into the medium, and there is always a new way to tell a story through collage.
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To keep up with Francesca and Collageria, visit her website, https://www.collageria.com/, and join her classes as part of our Craft This Way event series, CRAFT THIS WAY at A.MANO Brooklyn · Events Calendar.