MASSACHUSETTS – Local creative entrepreneur Janelle Mason is merging fine art and collector culture in a unique way — balancing her gallery presence at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts with the continued growth of her creative studio, Colder Press, and its flagship product, Analog Archive.
Mason will debut a new exhibit at the HCA titled A Memoir in Mugs on April 28th. The exhibit pairs original poetry with everyday objects to explore themes of memory and meaning.
“I hope people see their own stories reflected when they walk through it…” says Mason. “I also hope they [HCA attendees] leave thinking about what’s worth holding on to in their own lives”.
That idea of preserving meaning is also the foundation of her business ventures. Mason created Colder Press as a creative umbrella for her poetry, art and collector tools. From that studio came Analog Archive, a physical tracking insert designed for collectors who want documentation to stay with their items.
“It came from a simple belief your tracking should live with your collection,” said Mason when asked about Analog Archive’s inception.
Instead of relying on apps or spreadsheets, Analog Archive is designed to be placed directly inside the sleeve alongside a card or comic.
“There’s no login, there’s no account, there’s no app that might not exist in 20 years…” mentions Mason. “Just the card right there in the sleeve. It’s acid-free, it’s ink safe, it’s archival quality for people who genuinely care about what they’re preserving”.
Analog Archive has expanded beyond trading cards; Mason is also developing a treasure hunt-style line that turns collection organizing into a shared experience for families.
Her products are currently available at Great Stories in Whitinsville, Bernat Antiques in Uxbridge, Pegasus Collectibles in Bellingham and Pete’s Nerd Emporium in Franklin. Rather than opening her own storefront, Mason intentionally supports existing small businesses.
“I’d rather support those spaces than compete with them,” Mason said.
Through both her gallery work at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and her expanding Colder Press and Analog Archive initiatives, Mason continues to build a creative ecosystem centered on storytelling, preservation and community.
To hear the full interview with Janelle Mason, visit:
https://soundcloud.com/myfm1013/the-weekend-wind-down-janelle.
To follow Colder Press and see updates on new releases and gallery projects, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/colderpress/.
