Photo Credit: Tye Brown/The Sentinel. Various artworks inside the Zuckerman exhibit “The Art of Paper.” March 24, 2026.
At the Zuckerman Museum of Art, paper is no longer just a surface. It is the art itself.
“The Art of Paper: Selections of Handmade Paper Works” from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation opened at KSU as more than just an exhibition. It marks the starting point of a broader national conversation about how paper has evolved into a powerful and expressive artistic medium.
Featuring works drawn from the collections of Schnitzer, the exhibition showcases pieces created through the hand papermaking process by contemporary artists across decades.
As a collector, Schnitzer is not simply preserving art. He is reshaping how it is experienced and shared nationally. By bringing this exhibition to KSU, he places a university audience at the forefront of a conversation that will continue as the show travels across the country.
“Bringing the exhibition to KSU was an exciting way of getting these paper-based pieces some attention,” Schnitzer said during the panel discussion. “It allows students and the broader community to experience the work in a meaningful way.”
The exhibition highlights collaborations with renowned print and papermaking studios, including Tyler Graphics, Pace Editions, Dieu Donné on the East Coast, and Gemini G.E.L. and Mixografía on the West Coast. These partnerships are a result of collaboration between artists and master papermakers, pushing the boundaries of what the material can become.
The works on display throughout the exhibition, emphasize texture, structure and materiality. What emerges are pieces that are experimental, often three-dimensional and deeply rooted in the physical properties of paper.
Among the artists featured in both the exhibition and panel is Leonardo Drew, whose work exemplifies the transformation of unconventional materials such as paper, into profound artistic statements. Leonardo, known for his large-scale installations and textured compositions, shared insights into his creative journey and the role of paper within it.
“I hope first-time visitors rethink paper in the way they view their lives,” Drew said. “Find yourself in the art, which is your life.”
For Drew, art is deeply personal yet universally resonant. His early inspiration came from unlikely places such as junkyards, that served as a playground, shaping his ability to see beauty and potential in discarded materials. Over time, his work gained widespread recognition, even capturing the attention of major cultural institutions and brands, such as Marvel and DC comics.
“Once you find your voice, people become more receptive to your journey,” Drew said.
That sense of discovery and personal voice aligns closely with the goals of the exhibition itself. Visitors are invited to reconsider their relationship with everyday materials and their own lived experiences.
Schnitzer’s journey into art began at a young age. He was just 14 years old when he purchased his first art piece. What started as a personal interest evolved into a lifelong passion, fueled by the power of art to bring people together.
“Art transformed me,” Schnitzer shared. “People from different backgrounds would come together to experience it, and that mattered. Those voices deserved to fill the room.”
Rather than viewing art as something static, Schnitzer sees it as a dynamic force shaped by interaction and perspective. Interestingly, he often encounters pieces in exhibitions at the same time as the audience, allowing him to share in the experience of discovery.
“For me, collecting is not simply about experiencing art. It is about celebrating the creative spirit and the collaboration that makes it possible,” Schnitzer said. “My hope is that this exhibition inspires you to see the beauty of their art and that you leave forever changed.”
The dialogue between artist and collector extends beyond the exhibition itself. Schnitzer and Drew have developed a relationship rooted in mutual respect, with Schnitzer describing Drew’s work as “spectacular.”
Drew emphasized the importance of this exchange, noting that exhibitions allow him to learn from the perspectives of others. His work, influenced by experiences across different cities and countries, including time spent in China, continues to evolve as he engages with new ideas and materials.
Looking ahead, both Schnitzer and Drew see limitless potential for paper-based art. As interest in the medium grows, it is becoming an increasingly expansive language within the contemporary art world.
“The future of paper-based art is endless,” Schnitzer noted. “It’s entering a space where it will continue to grow and reach new audiences.”
In a world increasingly dominated by digital experiences, “The Art of Paper” offers something tangible, textured and deeply human that reminds viewers that even the most familiar materials can hold extraordinary meaning. And by launching this exhibition at KSU, the Zuckerman Museum of Art positions itself as a catalyst.
What begins here will extend far beyond campus, influencing how audiences across the country perceive and engage with paper as an artistic medium.
