About Annie Howe

The 2025–2026 Hackerman Artist in Residence

The Hackerman 2025–2026 Artist in Residence is Annie Howe.

Annie Howe’s intricate papercuts are used for a variety of projects including illustration, surface design and three-dimensional work. Annie has a BFA in Fiber from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and worked extensively in community arts producing parades and shadow puppet shows. That opened the door to the intimate art of papercutting. She established Annie Howe Papercuts in 2010 to create handmade papercuts for businesses, publications, and private collections. Her practice includes papercutting workshops for people of all ages. She has taught at a variety of locations, including museums, summer camps, universities, libraries, and in private residences. In 2024, Annie was an Artist in residence at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Jarrettsville, MD. During her residency, she engaged visitors with workshops, lectures, and produced a solo exhibition inspired by her residency.

Learn more at her website: anniehowepapercuts.com

Contact & Office Hours

Coming Soon!

Annie Howe at work, photo by Laura Chase de Formigny

Pratt Library window art by Annie Howe, photo by Nicole Munchel

Q&A with Annie Howe

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist.

I make papercuts that are used for illustration, surface design and three-dimensional work. I got into making papercuts as gifts for friends and family because the materials were approachable. Today, years into my career as a paper cut artist, I blend the traditional roots of my art form with a contemporary design. When combined with various fabrication methods and materials, I have found paper cutting to be a versatile and flexible medium that is fantastic for many projects and design challenges.

Why is it important for libraries to have artists working in residence?

I think libraries are always on the forefront of innovation. They serve as hubs for access to information and development of ideas. Having artists working in residence is another exciting way for libraries to continue to engage and connect with customers in a way that offers new experiences.

What can we expect from your residency?

I will produce a series of 4x8 free standing paper cut panels or what I call a Papercut Panorama. Historically, Panoramic images were designed so that the viewer could feel like they were in the middle of place or event depicted in the image. Libraries are terminals to unimagined travels! Placing a Papercut Panorama in the library that uplifts stories and offers a way for visitors to interpret them at their own pace and time would be a meaningful way to embark on a journey to unimagined places.

I look forward to meeting and talking with tons of visitors to the library and sharing the fun and approachable medium of papercutting. I hope lots of people will join me for a workshop or event and try it out for themselves. Throughout the course of my residency I plan to offer  lots of ways for customers to engage with the process of the panorama from in person to online options.

What's your advice for young aspiring artists?

When I first started, I did not have any experience in doing a lot of things like a book cover illustration or designing a product but I was able to figure it out. Still to this day, each time someone reaches out to ask me if I could do a new project I may not know how to do it but I know how to find out how to do it or ask someone where to find the information. This will serve you very well. I also think you do not have to make artwork that everyone loves or engages with, you have to make art you like and you will find your audience and niche.