The Mail Art Stories Project
Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19
This is the story of what happens when a global pandemic is captured through pieces of mail art from around the world.
A book and art exhibition sharing personal reflections of life during COVID-19—told through 119 beautifully decorated pieces of mail from 11 countries.
The Book
Between April 2020 and August 2021, 119 pieces of mail arrived in our mailboxes from 52 people in 11 countries. Each one was a small, creative window into someone’s experience of the pandemic.
My Mail Art Stories is a full-colour, coffee-table-style book that showcases these postcards and envelopes—each one a blend of words and visual art, each one deeply personal. Alongside the art, we included anonymous stories from a survey that reflect on everything from grief and gratitude to restlessness and resilience.
Co-created by Erica (Open Sky Stories, Ontario, Canada) and Shannon (Bold Moves Studio, North Carolina, USA), this book is a tribute to the power of creativity and connection—even when we’re far apart.
“This is a wonderful compilation of mail art that was inspired by the global pandemic that began in 2020. It's a great example of how to turn dark and scary times into messages of hope, love, and resilience when many people were stuck at home and feeling anxious. The art is both humorous at times and filled with heartfelt hope and connection. I enjoyed the reminders of what helped get us through these dark days by staying connected with one another through creating and mailing art. The varied pieces express what each individual soul that took part was experiencing that turn out to be universal messages that all can relate to.”
— T.R
The Exhibition
The Mail Art Stories Project is now a travelling art show! Every piece of mail from the book has been suspended in gallery spaces, inviting visitors to walk among them, read the messages front and back, and reflect on the many ways we experienced the pandemic.
So far, the exhibit has been shown in Ontario and North Carolina—and we’re ready to take it further. Posters throughout the space share participant responses to thoughtful questions, and visitors are encouraged to send their own postcards and become part of the conversation.
This is more than an art show. It’s an invitation to slow down, connect, and remember what we’ve been through—together.
Bring Mail Art Stories to Your Community.
Do you run a gallery or have a public space that would be a good fit for this collection? We’d love to hear from you.