Baker Artist Portfolios

Rita Collins began life in Baltimore and then left, only to return fifty-five years later. During the hiatus, she lived in eight other states, two other countries and put on countless miles of travel. Teaching in public schools and universities was her primary profession, supplemented by doing art wherever she found herself. Teaching morphed into becoming the owner/operator of a traveling bookstore which continues, selling books around the country. Collins is a book artist making artist books and doing letterpress printing. Incorporating various types of paper, fabric, plastics and other materials into her work, she searches how to use words effectively. She sees her art, her work, her travel and community involvement as attempts to create dialogue and build positive networks.