Off Paper is TPR’s online journal that follows the themes presented in The Project Room through thoughtful writing and other relevant online content. Contributing writers come from all types of fields and areas of expertise and share their perspective on what creativity means to them. Off Paper continues the conversation that is taking place on-site for audiences everywhere.
Tessa Hulls, Editor
Brangien Davis, Editorial Advisor
Madeline Rose Williams, Editorial Assistant
Eric O'Keefe walks us through the parade of family dogs his father loved, and the process of saying goodbye to animals.
The Project Room partners with the Seattle Public Library Foundation to support the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. Lena Easton-Calabria tells us about the Makah Tribe's fight to reclaim their whaling rights.
Artist Devin Midori Hale reflects on her grandfather, his lessons of frugality, and the old blue truck of his that he gave to her, born exactly the same year as she was.
The Project Room partners with the Seattle Public Library Foundation to support the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. Natalie Quek tells us about local organization Preserve Our Island's struggle to save Maury Island from contamination and development.
TPR's Editorial Assistant Madeline Rose Williams discusses the shifting roles of libraries as living, breathing monuments and their function as storehouses of information when the way we store information changes.
The Project Room partners with the Seattle Public Library Foundation to support the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. Quinn Mason Buchwald shares the story of Bernie Whitebear and his courage in championing the causes of the Seattle Native community.
Artist David Lasky writes about comics, artistic inspiration, and Saul Steinberg's work. This piece is a part of TPR's current Quest(ion) series: Who Was Your First Hero?
Photographer Ethan Rafal explores our topic Monument in Shock and Awe, a part journal/part photo essay multimedia work about homeland decay.
The Project Room partners with the Seattle Public Library Foundation to support the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. Elana Mabrito shares her admiration for local hero Margarethe Cammermeyer, who fought against the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
In this 9 Ounces update, Anastacia Tolbert writes a letter and a memoir for Luna, an innocent, truth-telling childlike ghost-angel. Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Anastacia Tolbert shares a poem written by her 9 Ounces character Saraphina, a filter-free wise counsel-spiritual matriarch. Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Jan Wallace honors her dear friend and renowned poet, Denise Levertov with a poem and a reflection on memory, loss, and monuments. "She taught me how to be still and regard each marvel; no maple tree with its autumn colors, or pack of raccoons 'like busy little criminals' could be mundane in her gaze."
The Project Room partners with the Seattle Public Library Foundation to support the Stimson Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. Jasmine Shirey remembers her local hero Alice Lord and her lifelong fight for worker's rights.
Anastacia Tolbert introduces a new 9 Ounces character! ALICE is an artist and writer wedged between four universal questions: Who the hell am I/not? What am I supposed to be doing? Why me? What's for Dinner? Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Author Rich Smith talks about Mortal Kombat, the Rocky movies, and the idiosyncratic soccer training methods employed by his cousin. This piece is a part of TPR's current Quest(ion) series: Who Was Your First Hero?
Glimpse 9 Ounces character Luna's world! Join us as we follow Anastacia Tolbert In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
TPR Editor Tessa Hulls reflects on death, the desert, and how we mourn loss.
A monument marks a boundary, a line that we cannot cross. On the night when I learned that Angie had died, I stumbled outside because I wanted to return to the constellation that had tied us all together. But the clouds were out that night, and although I raised my eyes and searched the sky...
Glimpse 9 Ounces character Luna's world! Join us as we follow Anastacia Tolbert In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Madeline Rose Williams, TPR's Editorial Assistant, reflects on the way Joni Mitchell's music changes imperceptibly every time you come back to it.
Author Michelle Peñaloza writes about belonging, defying categorization, and Muhammad Ali. This piece is a part of TPR's current Quest(ion) series: Who Was Your First Hero?
In this 9 Ounces update, Anastacia Tolbert shares her difficulty with Marie, a particularly changeable character, who later "graciously decided she can make a debut in another project" so that ALICE can participate in this one. Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Watch a video in two parts and read a transcript of an interview to learn about Luna, a perfect, imperfect character. Join us as we follow Anastacia Tolbert In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Following up on her essay How to Disappear, Off Paper Editor Tessa Hulls returns from Alaska and explores the transformative power of silence and its implications on city life.
In this 9 Ounces update, Anastacia Tolbert continues to discover her characters, working through daily errands and small tasks alongside them. Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
This week, we present a video in three parts with updates on Anastacia Tolbert's progress with her characters! Join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show.
Following the making of something is one of our favorite projects here at TPR. Learn about Anastacia Tolbert's process and progress as she develops her characters, and join us as we follow Anastacia In The Making of her monumental work, 9 Ounces: A One-Woman Show!
The Project Room is proud to feature the creation and production of writer Anastacia Tolbert's first one-woman show, 9 Ounces. Join us in following this project through Anastacia's writing and video excerpts, leading up to the show's premiere in Summer, 2015.
Writer Maya Sonenberg shares her admiration for soccer players and her fascination with soccer's combination of chaos and order. This piece is a part of TPR's current Quest(ion) series: Who Was Your First Hero?
Learn about Dame Gillian Lynne, who is recreating a dance she performed for soldiers during WWII (when she was 17).
Find more of online content by visiting our Off Paper Archives and selecting a sub-category under the "Off Paper" section of the side bar!
"I’ve been working for this contractor for a few months, but at this point I’m still very green… Still, I’ve now used the drill quite a bit as it is a ubiquitous tool on any job site, and I feel like I’ve got my head wrapped around it—point and shoot. I begin drilling in the screws with a mix of confidence and reckless abandon. I can get this done, I chant to myself."