Wendy Red Star
On the occasion of the 250 anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America, Arion Press is pleased to announce a collaborative partnership with Thomas Jefferson's Monticello to produce a landmark commemorative edition and the launch of a suite of related programming.
Declare: A Civic Gospel gathers a polyphony of American contemporary artists, writers, and thinkers to reflect on the Declaration's legacy, honor its past, and interrogate its future. Presented in a bespoke handmade box, the edition contains three core elements: an innovative rendition of the Declaration's Preamble reimagined by celebrated type designer Tré Seals; a suite of wood medallions engraved with artwork by leading American artists each visualizing a Declaration concept; and an interior volume collecting newly commissioned essays and poems by visionary American writers, edited by Monticello’s President and CEO, acclaimed historian Jane Kamensky.
Declare invites a chorus of American authors, artists, and artisans to reflect on our country’s inaugural words in a handcrafted, printed testament to the American experiment.
Adding to the material depth of the edition is the historic wood used to craft the medallions. These elements are carved from iconic tulip poplar trees planted by residents enslaved at Monticello during Jefferson's lifetime, and eventually memorialized on the back of the two-dollar bill. The wood from those trees takes on a new life and meaning in this novel context.
The edition release is the launchpad for a vibrant range of educational programs and public events across the nation designed to foster civic dialogue and engagement. Stay tuned for news on upcoming launch events on each coast that will bring the Declaration’s ideas to the public stage.
In tandem, Arion Press will launch a series of pop-up letterpress workshops where children, students, and families can print their own copy of the Declaration broadside at important cultural centers, anchored by a sustained activity at Monticello. Further details soon to be announced.