Patricia Grass

Patty’s Story

Patricia (Patty) Grass grew up in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, in a working-class family whose roots were in the coal mining communities of western Pennsylvania. After earning a biology degree from Seton Hill College, she spent several summers conducting research at the Woods Hole Biological Laboratory on Cape Cod, where she met her future husband, Dr. Henry Grass. Following graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in the Philippines, where she discovered a passion for teaching while serving as a high school biology instructor.

Upon returning to the United States, Patty earned a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and taught biology in Philadelphia and Cincinnati while her husband attended medical school. In the early 1970s, the couple moved to Oregon, eventually settling on a small farm near Banks, where they raised their family. 

When her children were young, Patty wanted to take art classes and was drawn to one at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts (OSAC) called ‘I Can’t Draw.’ She loved it, and soon took classes in etching, printmaking, papermaking and calligraphy. She continued her studies through the joint OSAC and Marylhurst College program, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 1985. Although she briefly considered a career as a painter, she soon realized that her true passion lay in the creation of handmade books, leading her to establish a letterpress and book arts studio in her own home. 

Patty began teaching the book arts in 1985, first to kids in elementary schools. Her love for teaching would span decades, in which she taught book arts, papermaking, letterpress printing and beginning calligraphy in workshops, schools, and community programs. 

Patty joined the Portland Society for Calligraphy Board of Directors in 1988, serving as newsletter co-editor before later being elected chairperson. She helped modernize the Society’s publications by introducing computer-based design and desktop publishing, while also developing a successful graphic design practice. 

She loved her connections and experience being on the PSC board for three years, but was happy to get back to focusing on the Book Arts Guild, which she helped found. Patty was instrumental in organizing book arts conferences with workshops, lectures and demonstrations, which laid the foundation for Focus on Book Arts, an independent nonprofit that continues to host workshops and exhibitions. The first Focus Conference was held in 1993 at the Multnomah Art Center and the name changed in 2007 to Focus on Book Arts, held biannually in Oregon.

In 1988, Patty and a friend purchased the building that would become Green Heron Book Arts at 1928 21st Ave. A, with the intention of using the back as a studio while renting out the front. But as Grass became more involved in the book arts community, the space evolved into a gathering place for makers, learners and local artists. In 1995, Grass officially opened the paper arts supply store and class space, Green Heron Book Arts, named after the green heron that had come back from the brink of extinction.

Patty held ongoing classes at Green Heron for 22 years and introduced hundreds of people to the idea of books as an art form through her many community workshops, pop-up art experiences, classes and beloved weekly classes attended by some students for many years. 

Patty’s daughter Laura wrote, “She contributed so much to the book arts community and the city of Forest Grove. She was always ready to help anyone with an art question that came into her store. She loved to share her passion for art with her students and inspired many to pursue book arts. Patricia had a thirst for knowledge and an unending curiosity about the world. She will be greatly missed.”

Patty & several members of her Thursday Book Group in 2016. l-r: Cyndie Christiansen, Barbara Halstead, Patty Grass, Amy Pfleiger, Judy Teufel, and Laurie Weiss.  Photo taken by Julie Lay.