About Us
We ARe committed to encouraging and supporting art in many forms.
Orrville Collaborative Publishing (OCP) is a publisher of small-run (100 copies) editions of books, greeting cards, notecards, postcards, paintings, photography, art prints, sketches and posters created for an audience of design professionals.
In 1998, “ex-Beachers” Elizabeth Steinebach and Michael Copas filled a bus with Architects and Stained Glass artists to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House. At the time it was deconstructed and the stained glass was on display at Burchfield Penney Museum in Buffalo, NY. In 2002, Michael and Elizabeth moved to Orrville (east of Parry Sound) continuing their interests in architecture and stained glass.
OCP Founder, Michael Copas met artist Stephen Wohleber on the Parry Sound Municipal Heritage Committee (on which they both served) and first saw his work on a visit to Stephen’s Hogwarts-like studio. He could not understand—why was Stephen’s work not yet published? In 2009, Michael worked with Stephen to print 25 books of his series A Month of Sundaes. Stephen has a significant body of work in his studio in Britt, an hour north of Parry Sound. The theme is based on his knowledge of art, architecture, and history all mixed together with imagination and flare. A Month of Sundaes is Stephen‘s first series, and OCP’s first publishing venture.
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June 16, 2021—Parry Sound, ON. Michael Copas (founder of Statslog Software) received an Honorary Membership from the Ontario Association of Architects. Honorary Membership is one of the highest honours the OAA can bestow on a person outside of the profession of architecture. Council nominates individuals who, as defined in the Architects Act: “have rendered to the architectural profession signal or valuable service or who have scrupulously upheld the objects of the Association.”
For 40+ years, Michael Copas has influenced hundreds of architects on thousands of projects, through the provision of contract administration services—and FIVE by STATSLOG. He often uses anecdotes as a means to inform architects of: what threatens them, who are the instigators, why they are motivated, where architects should look for solutions, and when must they act. He has used projects to exemplify how contract administration can be a realignment to heal an architectural practice.
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OUR LEGACY
OCP exists because of a legacy from Elsie Hawkins (nee Copas). Elsie was a cousin of Michael Copas, whom he never met. The inherited legacy he received came as a surprise and seemed to demand a response gesture. That gesture has taken the form of a commitment by OCP to explore and identify who Elsie Ellen Hawkins was in her time.
Read a sample excerpt from The Story of Where Elsie Ellen Hawkins Came From
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THE ART OF SENDING MAIL
OCP wants to engage in the creation and distribution of a variety of products, along with fine art, and related ephemera. All product lines must be consistent with and encourage, the ‘art of sending mail’ philosophy.
In an age of email, group texts and social media comments, snail mail has become quaint, almost vintage—but that doesn’t mean its days are over. You are invited to enjoy our books, pass them on, use the cards for your own gifting, tell friends and family about our enterprise, and visit our website for new releases. It is an encouragement to reconnect with those whom you have lost contact. Our greeting cards and postcards are designed for such an effort.
Writing by hand feels good. When we write by hand, we retain information better, and may even boost our creativity. And because we do it so rarely these days, it can be a welcome respite from typing.
You don’t have to be a writer or an artist to send meaningful notes. The next time you’re tempted to send a congratulatory email or a digital birthday message, try a card instead. There’s something charming and thoughtful about getting an envelope in the mail—it’s as if somebody gift wrapped their words for you!
Or send a postcard; it’s an alternative to tweeting—and it can still be 140 characters!
Outlook for 2021—our product sampling is still small, but with great interest we will be expanding more collections. In the meanwhile, tell us what you like, what you would support, and we will consider it one of our goals.
CONTRIBUTORS
Michael Copas | former Contract Administrator, Software Developer, Publisher
Michael has been engaged in design professional practices for 50 years. His first exposure was at WZMH, with a building at Toronto's Avenue Road and Yorkville. It has had many names and owners, and recent was designated a historic site, so that the new owners could save it from destruction and re-clad the entire building envelope. During that time he also worked on the CN Tower as the only technologist in a sea of professionals. Over the next decade, Michael provided contract administration to over 20 nursing homes and project management services from strip malls to hotels. Since 1984, his main focus has been contract administration through Statslog Software Corporation.
Elizabeth Steinebach | Stain Glass Artisan | Contract Administrator-in-training
Elizabeth has a collage of careers. The first career is always the dearest—she went from an eager student of glass to a seasoned exponent of this art/craft. When Stain Glass waned in public approval, she became a Massage Therapist. Her latest incarnation as a contract administrator, combined the sensibilities of stained glass with the muscle testing skills of a massage therapist. Elizabeth is collaborating with her husband Michael Copas in a “how-to” books for FIVE first time users and community college students.
OCP projects benefit from contributions by graphic designers, copyeditors, printers, and our family of friends and supporters!