Red Letter readers, I have something unbelievably exciting to share with you! I know its Monday. I understand the weekend’s over (sniff). But this is really really good, so I’ll need your undivided attention.
Ok, good.
Ready, set, go:
I am thrilled that you, dear readers, are among the first folks to learn about the Ex Postal Facto Conference – you’re hearing it here FIRST! Taking place February 2014 in San Francisco, Ex Postal Facto promises to be a three day, fun-filled celebration of correspondence art, faux philatelics and all things postal.
Venues include the SF Center for the Book, the historic SF Elks Lodge, and the SF Public Library. A major mail art exhibition (and opening reception), vendor expo, and afternoon of lectures are already on the docket for February 14th – 16th. Believe it or not, there’s more to come; I’m hard at work with the Ex Postal crew, fine tuning details for the weekend. (saying that we’re sorta like Santa’s elves would not be too far from the mark…)
So what does that mean? It means that I’m really, really, really hoping you’ll be able to join me and the Ex Postal crew here in San Francisco in February! This will be an historic gathering of new school and old school mail artists, artistamp makers and Networkers – in short: a MAJOR mail art congress will be taking place. And it’s really happening.
There are many ways to get involved, even if you’re not local to San Francisco. Would you like some “save the date” postcards to send to your mailing list? I’m happy to send you some! Want to submit artwork for the “mail/art/book” show at SF Center for the Book? Take a look here. Are you a blogger or interested in writing about Ex Postal Facto for a print publication? By all means, send me an email (or a postcard, whichever strikes your fancy!)
An event is only as good as the people participating. I am so very fortunate to have an excellent crew, an incredible co-curator for the mail art exhibition and amazing friends who have helped out with venue space. Moving forward, the next part of the process is equally exciting: finding a way to make sure all of my postal pals from near and far (that’s YOU GUYS) can be in attendance!
My fingers are crossed that we’ll all be in the same city next February. (that’s some pretty good news, huh? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!)
In all things postal –
–JH
Oooooo da la lee! Count me in! (And definitely route some “Save the Date” postcards my direction too!)
CMN —
Y’know, the envelope was addressed before your comment was even posted! 🙂 A little something is wending it’s way to you as I type this…
Thanks so much for helping out and mailing postcards; I really appreciate it! More coming your way very soon. 😉
–JH
would love some save the date postcards to pass along!! can send my address via email. where should i i send?
Polly —
Done and DONE! I put an envelope in the mail to you this morning, so be on the lookout…
Thanks also for your email; I’ll reply to that one directly!
–JH
That sounds amazing!
Dori —
Yippee!!! And I’m super-hoping that you’ll be able to make it up here for the weekend… 🙂
–JH
Wow, this sounds too good to be true! Please send me some Save Date postcards. Also, do you think you guys (the royal you, the steering committee) might put together a list of places to stay in S.F. for those of us who don’t live in the Bay Area? I’d especially like to know about cool, unusual, alternative, less expensive digs — not the usual places. Thanks so much!
Connie —
Your wish is my command! I put an envelope in the mail to you this morning, filled with “save the dates” and a CFE card for the SFCB “mail/art/book” show. 🙂
As far as a listing of cool and alternative places to stay: this is definitely a blog post that I’ll be writing up in the near future and posting over at the Ex Postal blog. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed for Ex Postal, since all updates around the conference will be posted over there (and not necessarily here). I’m with you: I always love staying at places that are lesser known, have a great vibe and are relatively inexpensive. (the “relatively inexpensive” part is tricky, here in SF!)
Thanks so much for the offer to send out some postcards; awesome! And keep me posted on your travel plans… 😉
–JH
OMG!!! I am going to work to BE THERE! And it will be my first trip to SF too. This is very exciting news indeed and I would love some postcards to get out far and wide. THANKS for organizing this not to me missed happening!!!
Cathy —
There’s an envelope with your name on it that went out in today’s mail! First time in San Francisco? If you make it over here, I’ll give you my personally guided, secret-stash-of-paper places to go — and lunch at my favorite bistro, to boot! It would be amazing to be in the same room with you once again…let’s work together to try and make it happen!
–JH
Omigosh! Where did that bag come from?! Gorgeous beauty!!
Sylvia —
I heard your squeek of delight all the way down here in SF! 🙂 The USPS mail bag was a gift from my other half, for this year’s birthday. I’ve always wanted one, and when asked he replied “well, you can find almost anything you want, if you use the right search term on Etsy”. You’d think he’s a librarian or something! 😉
–JH
I am already spreading the word and I’ve been sending out postcards and encouraging mail art friends to come to SF for this fabulous postal event. What else can I do to help? Is the co- op group going to help out? This is going to be BIG!
Pamela —
Yay to you! Many thanks for helping get the word out; I greatly appreciate it. I’ll have more “save the date” and new “call for entry” postcards at this Saturday’s Co-op meeting.
Other things you can do to help: send in some mail art for the SFCB show, give Ex Postal a little shout out on Cappuccino & Art Journal and generally help get the word out about the event. I’ve got a press release ready to go, so if you’ve got suggestions of folks to send it to, I’m all ears! (we can chat on Saturday, if you’d like…)
Thanks for the offer to help out!
–JH
This is going to be fabulous! What a treat!!
Lucy —
Indeed! It’s all wonderfully exciting: the exhibition at SFCB, the vendors, the lectures…the whole thing has been coming together wonderfully, in a very magical way.
I’m also looking forward to January 2014’s mail art lecture at Mrs. Dalloway’s — a nice warm up to February’s event!
–JH
In addition to the super excitement happening I am also doubled over laughing at, OMG, palm pilot. Somehow I have never heard that one! Woot woot!
Seven Hens —
I would’ve thought I’d used that one on you by now! Sad to think that joke is nearly outdated, as the young’uns these days have no idea what a palm pilot is…
–JH
This is gong to be the best event ever. Can’t wait to both participate AND go!
Sally Wurlitzer —
We’re in it to WIN IT! I’m having a bundle of fun already — I’m so excited I can’t sleep at night, dreaming up all the fun shenanigans (to use a word from one of our fave folks) that will be happening over the weekend. And so super-stoked that you’re along for the ride…
–JH
Huh, a conference on mail art and artistamp makers and postal moderns????
I think I’ll just have to be there, Ms. Jennie!
Mr. Nick —
HA! Why would you -possibly- be anywhere else? These are gonna be your types of peeps!!! 🙂
–JH
I think you might be right, Ms. Hinchcliff!
There’s going to be a lotta “Going Postal” at this thing – in a good way!
Nick —
You better watch out or I’m gonna rubber stamp your forehead! 🙂
–JH
I am going to try my darnedest to be there! Would love a few Save the Date pc’s to send to some close mail art pals. I echo Connie Rose on recommendations for spaces to stay.
Poetic Paper —
I’ll definitely do my best to rustle up some suggestions of inexpensive places to stay; I know that’s a toughie, here in SF. I’d suggest signing up for the Ex Postal blog updates (over at that blog), as I’ll be posting Ex Postal specific info over there…not (necessarily) on the RLD blog. Trying to keep things a little less-than-complicated! 🙂
One thing I’ll mention (which might be helpful): the Saturday vending expo will be held on the third floor of the Kensington Hotel — 450 Post, in downtown SF. The Kensington’s not cheap, but if you were to share among two people, it might be a bit more affordable…
As far as “save the date” cards are concerned, I’m happy to send some your way! If you could be so kind as to email your mailing addy to: redletterdayzine@gmail.com, I’d greatly appreciate it!
–JH
A quick note to all. The east bay is not a bad choice for places to stay if SF prices are getting you down. It’s a quick BART ride under the bay from both downtown Oakland and Berkeley and the price of hotels is much lower.
Seven Hens —
This is a great point! Oftentimes, BART from downtown Oakland into SF can be faster than taking Muni across town. I will be riffling through your address book to see what sorts of suggestions you have. 🙂
–JH
Jennie,
Please send me some Save the Date cards. Dorothy and I have a mailing list of 300 now so we can send it out via email and post on our blogs too and FB. I have a friend who is thinking of renting a room out Airbnb style now that her daughter like mine is going away to college. Maybe that is a place for someone in Feb. I will tell her and find out cost. She may want to attend this too. This sounds great!
Monica —
You got it! I’ll put a handful in the mail today for you and Dorothy both — thanks so much for the help in getting the word out. 🙂
–JH
JennieLove, regarding cheap stays….there are 3 Hostelling International locations in San Francisco: Fisherman’s Wharf, City Center and this one downtown:
http://www.hiusa.org/sanfranciscodowntown/
and another hostel organization:
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/USA-Hostels-San-Francisco/San-Francisco/17521?sc_sau=sfab&sc_pos=2
Yours in excitement for the event, Phyllis
Phyllis —
Thanks for these great tips; I’m certain that other RLD readers thank you as well! I’ll be certain to add these resources to the Ex Postal Facto website.
–JH
I have to say, you all have the most AMAZING mail art-related events in San Francisco. I’ve never seen such things over here near Philadelphia. I hope you’ll let me know if you are aware of any events around my way that I’m just missing altogether! (I feel like you must be “in the know” on a national level!) Truly wishing I was there!
There are at least 2 of us definitely coming from Massachusetts!
I rented an apartment….check out Tripadvisor. It was cheaper than staying in a hotel and we get to pretend we’re townies… 🙂 Soooo excited!
Mandy
Mandy —
I’m thrilled to hear that you’ll be in town for Ex Postal Facto. Great also to hear about Trip Advisor. I’m working on a write up over at the Ex Postal blog about different options for out-of-towners, as far as places to stay are concerned. Good to hear that you’ve already got it taken care of!
–JH