Ramey hopes to offer more shop space for creating as coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Currently the Art Department holds some classes over Zoom. 

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Salem Snail Mail Art Swap 

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The idea for the Salem Snail Mail Art Swap came to Howden and Reyes during an Instagram live conversation.

 

According to Howden, one of its inspirations was the lack of motivation to create during the first part of the pandemic.  

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“I would FaceTime with a friend and sometimes not talk, just do art together,” they said. “It gave us an incentive to do art.” 

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They called them art calls. 

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“Summer and I do art calls at least once a week,” Howden said. 

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It’s an opportunity to share in creating during a time when when people are feeling “low-bandwidth.” 

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“Summer had been doing PDX correspondence,” Howden said. “I said, ‘What if we just do something in Salem?’ There were three people on the IG live.” 

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Howden and Reyes reached out to Portland Correspondence Co-op organizers and modified some of their practices. 

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Howden posted about the Salem Snail Mail Art Swap for the first time in December. 

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Interested artists can send a direct message with their names and mailing and email addresses through their Instagram accounts. A spreadsheet with first names and addresses is then created and distributed. People are paired to make sure everyone receives at least one piece of mail, but participants may send out as many as they like. 

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Each month has a theme. January's was "Dreams," February's was "Growing," and March's is "Light." 

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“My own experience is, I have a hard time manifesting inspiration out of nowhere,” Howden said. 

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The art swap is a casual, accessible way to get motivated, they said. 

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“The thing I love the most about the Salem Snail Mail is getting random art in the mail,” Reyes said. “It’s like a sweet hug in the mail, all month long.” 

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Anyone is welcome to join, Howden said, even if they don’t live in Salem.

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“I don’t feel the need to gatekeep people,” they said. “Anybody who feels comfortable and wants to join, that’s great. For me, the purpose is to give people inspiration to create.” 

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They want artists to share themselves, have fun, and experience a bit of joy.

 

“There’s so much room for people to do whatever,” Howden said. “This is not something where you have to pull out a canvas.” 

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Howden likened it to a postcard for art,rather than a full letter. 

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All skill levels are encouraged; some artists even partner with their children. 

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“It’s all welcomed and encouraged,” Howden said. “Come as you are. Be gracious about what you receive. We’re all pretty critical of ourselves. It’s nice to be in a space where all parts of the process are welcomed.” 

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April’s theme is "Flora and Fauna," in honor of Earth Day. Sign up by March 31. 

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The author, too, participated in the Snail Mail Art Show. Check out the full exhibit at the Art Department in Salem.