Remember September Mail Art Project

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A Commemorative Mail Art Project to Remember September 11th

This Creative, Commemorative Mail Art Project was developed by Gail Ellspermann in 2002 as a way for people to remember those who had died on September 11, 2001.

Through the use of art, participants are encouraged to express their feelings and reflect on the September 11th attacks, the heroes, the victims, their patriotism and how everyone's lives had changed. This project is an excellent example of using creativity to cope with a major life changing event.

This year, 2008 marks the seventh year of this annual commemorative mail art event.

This lens also includes other September 11th remembrance lenses on Squidoo as well as lenses on those living beyond the 11th.

Image Source: Remember September 2004. Collection of Submissions.

Remember September Lens Judged Best Seasonal Lenses  

Just when I start thinking that some of my lenses have fallen into obscurity, I get a notice like this one saying it has been judged the Best Seasonal Lenses for August.

Concept behind the Remember September Mail Art Project 

Gail's idea for the project was simple...Have people decorate an envelope with artwork as a way of remembering and honoring the victims, rescue workers, and countless volunteers affected by 9/11.

The envelope would become a private memorial of the date.

A private note, poem, or prayer can be included as part of the envelope memorial, because the envelopes stay as envelopes and are never opened.

The envelopes have been collected and exhibited online and at other venues. The 2006 envelopes are being converted into CD's.

Image Source: Remember September 2005 Collection of Submissions.

Updates on Remember September for 2008 

Hi Kirsti -

Yes, I am still going to collect envelopes and will create one myself. However, I am looking into Turning this over to the 9/11 museum in New York, if possible.

I am proud of what has come together over the past years and am hopeful that it will find a good home with the museum. I plan to continue sending an envelope each year to add to the collection, wherever it winds up residing.

So, please, do post about it and do encourage people to send envelopes. The project still lives and will find an appropriate permanent home.

The mailing address remains the same, for now.

Remember September
P.O. Box 793
Katonah, NY 10536

Thank you for your support,

Gail Ellspermann

Image Source: Remember September Article.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum 

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will pay tribute to those who were killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, reflect the awe-inspiring compassion shown in the aftermath and create a place for learning about terrorism and its deep effect on today's society.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
The home page for the The National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

To Participate in the Remember September Mail Art Project 

Participating in the Remember September Mail Art Project is fairly simple.

Image Source: Remember September 2004.
Collection of Submissions.
  1. Decide on Your Theme.
  2. Create Your Envelope.
  3. Be Sure to Address Your Envelope.
  4. Mail Your Envelope on September 11th.

Decide on Your Theme. 



To decide on your theme start by take a look at some of the images of the envelopes on this page or visit the Remember September page on Artella for inspiration.

You may decide on a particular mood, a word, an image that you want to build your theme around.

Because the envelopes, stay as envelopes and are never opened you might also want to include a private note, a poem, a favorite quotation or a prayer as part of the envelope memorial.

Image Source: Remember September 2003. Collection of Submissions.

Create Your Envelope. 

This commemorative project allows for any type of media can be used-collage, computer or digital art, pencils, paint, markers, crayons or pens.

Pick whatever media suits you. Look at the various different examples for inspiration.

Create a piece of "mail art" on any size envelope which is relevant to 9/11, the victims, heroes, and/or events of the day.

Image Source: Remember September 2005. Collection of Submissions.

Be Sure to Address Your Envelope. 

Envelopes are addressed to:

Remember September
P.O. Box 793
Katonah, NY 10536


Image Source: Remember September 2004 Collection of Submissions.

Mail Your Envelope on September 11th 

Remember once envelope is done address them and put your name on the back. Some people incorporate the address into the design.

The Remember September Art Mail Project Address:

Remember September
P.O. Box 793
Katonah, NY 10536

Be sure to mail your envelope on September 11 (September 15 at the latest).

By putting your name and snail mail address on the BACK of the envelope you will be included in a mailing of posters of the 2007 submissions and entered into a drawing for a free CD of all images.

Image Source: Remember September 2005. Collection of Submissions.

Another Squidoo Lens on Ways of Remembering 9-11 

Remember September Mail Art Project WebPage 

For the last several years the Artella.com site has been a major source for information on the Remember September Mail Art project.

The site continues to provide links, articles and samples of the envelopes.
Remember September Mail Art Project
Information on the Remember September mail art project, developed by Gail Ellspermann.
An Article about Remember September Mail Art
An article about Remember September published in e-Artella issue #e-3. Available as a pdf file download.
Remember September Mail Art Project - 2005
Selections from the 2005 Remember September.
Remember September Mail Art Project - 2004
Selections from the 2004 Remember September.
Remember September Mail Art Project - 2003
Selections from the 2003 Remember September.

Remember September Mail Art - My Digital Art 



I created my Remember September Mail Art Project as a digital art envelope. When it was done, I just printed it out on the computer.

I wanted to include a commemorative poem, quotes and digital art images. I incorporated the poem into boxes that looked like building on a skyline.

I also wanted a record of what I had sent, without having to take a photo. Having a file on the computer makes it easy to have a copy.

Articles on the Remember September Mail Art Project 

Artella Forum: Remember September Mail Art
A post on the Remember September Mail Art project.
CC's Art Blog: Remember September
A blog post from CC's Art on the Remember September Mail Art Project.
Opportunity for September 11 Related Art
A blog post from the Museum of Paper: MailArt about Opportunity for September 11 Related Art
Italian Artist Fabio Sassi on Remember September
Fabio Sassi has been a part of the Remember September project since 2002.

Blog Posts from Google 

two lenses for september - remember september and steptember
remember september mail art project. the remember september mail art project is now in it's seventh year of remembering those who had died on september 11, 2001. this creative, commemorative mail art project was developed by gail ...
2974/ 24/ 90/ 1
remember september mail art call: remember september is a mail art project which was developed by gail ellspermann to commemorate, on an annual basis, the tragic attacks on the united states on september 11, 2001. ...
what will you do to remember september 11, 2001?
remember september mail art project - is another way to remember. this creative, commemorative mail art project was developed by gail ellspermann in 2002. all you need to do is decorate an envelope and send it to the address. ...
fall is exciting at artella
we have updated our page for the remember september mail art project, which commemorates september 11, 2001. we've also added samples from remember september mail art from 2004 and 2005. this week's sneaky special is the business blitz ...

TIME Cover: September 11, 2002, Art Poster in the Amazon Spotlight 

September 11 Memorial Issue / TIME Cover: September 11, 2002, Art Poster by TIME Magazine

Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 11/28/2009)Buy Now

The cover art for the September 11 Memorial Issue of TIME.

Image size 8.0 inches x 10.0 inches

Photographs of Ground Zero on the 5th Anniversary of 9-11 on Flickr 

Photographs of Ground Zero Remembering September 11th from StJohns/VaBeach.

curated content from Flickr

In Memoriam - New York City, 9/11/01 (2002) in the Amazon Spotlight 

In Memoriam - New York City, 9/11/01

Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)Buy Now

Originally shown on HBO on May 26, 2002, In Memoriam is one of the most vital documents to emerge after the events of September 11, 2001.

Compiled from over 100 sources, this collage of audio, video, and photography will provoke tears, anger, and grief all over again. In Memoriam is a potent visual reminder that 9/11 was a day of unity, transcending the horrors witnessed here.

Remember September 11th Memorials and Lights on Flickr  

Public Domain: World Trade Center Memorial by Denise Gould (DOD Photo 060911-F-9471G-001) by pingnews.com

Public Domain: World Trade Center Memorial by Denise Gould (DOD Photo 060911-F-9471G-006) by pingnews.com

Ground Zero 2005 (pingnews) by pingnews.com

curated content from Flickr

The World Trade Center Cross 

The World Trade Center Cross was created by steel beams in the formation of a cross were pulled from the World Trade Center wreckage by rescue workers.

The Cross served as a monument at the World Trade Center site.

Image Source: Ben Shafer. World Trade Center Cross. Royalty Free Use.

World Trade Center Cross on Wikipedia 

The World Trade Center cross, also known as the Ground Zero cross, is a group of steel beams found amidst the debris of the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 attacks which resembles the proportions of a Christian cross.

A Squidoo Lens Featuring the World Trade Center Photos 

Photographs of the Way Things Used to Be

Lensmaster Kimberly Dawn Wells has assembled a collection of photographs from the World Trade Center, prior to September 11, 2001, the way they used to be. You can decide on your favorites.

A Squidoo Lens for the 9-11 Resources and Information 

Helping The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation

The lens was developed by lensmaster Jack Lee to help the WTC Memorial Foundation achieve their goals.

September 11, 2001 Memorial and Remembrance Resources 

Remember - Reflect - Renew

Organizations that are raising funds for memorials for those who died on September 11, 2001.
Pentagon Memorial Fund
The Pentagon Memorial Fund is a campaign to raise financial support for the construction and permanent maintenance of a memorial park dedicated to those lost at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 77 on September 11, 2001.
World Trade Center Memorial: National September 11 Memorial & Museum
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will build, program, own and operate the Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero that have been planned by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), a city-state entity established after 9/11 to guide the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan.

Love You Mean It in the Amazon Spotlight 

Love You, Mean it: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Friendship

Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 11/28/2009)Buy Now

A book that will console and inspire written by four widows of the 9/11 World Trade Center Tragedy.

A Featured Lens on 9/11 Widows Living Beyond the 11th 

Books on Remembering September available on Amazon 

A collection of books written by September 11th widows.

Beauty Beyond the Ashes: Choosing Hope After Crisis

Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

Let's Roll!: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage

Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

The Alchemy of Loss: A Young Widow's Transformation

Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

A Widow's Walk: A Memoir of 9/11

Amazon Price: $11.70 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

Wake-Up Call: The Political Education of a 9/11 Widow

Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

More Lenses Remembering September 11, 2001 

Reader Feedback on the Remember September Mail Art Project 

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Benefiting Operation Helmet 

This lens benefits Operation Helmet and the Project Help Lensraiser on Squidoo.

by Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...

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