Meet Our Incredible Teachers - Gianna Pergamo

This summer we will be featuring our amazing teachers so you can get to know them better.  They are the makers and creators who keep our creative community vibrant and alive.

We are lucky to have Gianna Pergamo who designs a very successful line of stationery products, Pergamo Paper Goods.  She teaches a Collage Class and Suminagashi class here at The Paper Seahorse. We sat down with her to get the skinny:

My name is…and my nickname or people call me…

Hi! My name is Gianna.

My passion is…

My passion is taking plain things and making them beautiful, and also taking beautiful things and making them weird. I am mainly a collage artist, and I like taking pretty mundane materials and cutting them up to make something exciting. I also really love my dogs!

You might not guess this about me, but….

I run Tampa Bay Pug Lovers, a pug meetup group! It's very silly but a lot of fun.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone at the the start of their creative journey/or next project it would be…

I would advise to try a lot of different things until you find a way of making that sticks. Maybe you got into art because you were good at drawing, but ultimately that might not be your choice medium in your life or for a specific project. Also, if you want to get good at something, practice!

I believe in snail mail because….

Snail mail is the best because you are giving someone a little present in an envelope. Your handwritten words just mean more. I love receiving hand written letters and cards, and sometimes I carry them around with me for months just for a little pick me up.

What I love about teaching at the Paper Seahorse is….

The Paper Seahorse always has the best students. Everyone brings different experiences to the table, and whether they know it or not they have something to contribute. I love meeting and learning about each person that takes my classes. Also, the Paper Seahorse has the best snacks :)

And of course anything else you would want your fans to know….

Art and making is important for everyone. Having that outlet is good even for people who don't consider themselves "artistic." It doesn't matter what you do for a living, you can still enjoy making something beautiful and feel good about it!

Thanks Gianna!  We love your quirky designs and are proud to carry them in the paperie online and in our Tampa location.