The Combat Paper Project utilizes art making workshops to assist veterans in reconciling and sharing their personal experiences as well as broadening the traditional narrative surrounding service and the military culture.

Through papermaking workshops veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beaten into a pulp and formed into sheets of paper. Veterans use the transformative process of papermaking to reclaim their uniform as art and begin to embrace their experiences in the military.

The organization travels across the United States and for the month of October found their home at Texas State University. Their stay here has been sponsored by the the Common Experience, Honors College, Residence Life, Lime Kiln Bed & Breakfast, and Veterans Alliance Texas State.

So far they have had demonstrations in the quad, and workshops in the community and in Honors. A reception with an exhibit of the work from Texas State and San Marcos will be held Thursday, November 3, from 3-5 p.m. in the honors coffee forum.

To watch a PBS special on the Combat Paper Project, click here.

Combat Paper