Harold H. Alexander, MFA, professor emeritus of design, University of Illinois and the University of Minnesota, and Marjorie A. Alexander, MA, artist/papermaker and educator, have long been interested in the sustainable environment while assisting the human condition around the world. For nearly 25 years, the Alexanders have been researching alternative fibers and methods for making paper with minimal equipment. They have been instrumental in promoting the use of native plant and agricultural residue non-wood fibers in the production of handcrafted papers in small and cottage settings as a way of increasing income of individuals, families and communities without adversely affecting the environment. Since 1990, they have served as on-site technical consultants during the establishment of hand papermaking centers in Kingston, Jamaica; Cairo, Egypt; and Castries, St. Lucia, as well as consulting with hand papermakers in the United States and Australia.

Their work with handcrafted paper has provided opportunities to travel and meet papermakers throughout the world. During their research and travels they have collected many artifacts, facts, details, and other bits of information about the nearly 2000 year history of paper.

As alternative fiber researchers they have developed papermaking techniques utilizing such tropical fibers as bamboo, banana, bagasse, breadfruit, sisal, sansevieria, wild cane, hibiscus, blue mahoe, khus khus grass, and screw pine. Temperate climate fibers such as corn stalk and leaf, alfalfa, prairie grasses (reed canary grass, switchgrass and big blue stem grass), sunflower stalk, wheat straw, cattail, stinging nettle, seed flax, velvet leaf, and wild rice straw have also been examined. Bound copies of their agricultural residue fiber research printed on handmade reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) paper are now in the collections of the Robert C. Williams American Museum of Papermaking, Atlanta, GA; the rare book section of the Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN; and the Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

Their work with paper has prompted travel in England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Greece, Austria, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Mexico, as well as throughout the United States and Canada.

 They served as curators for the acclaimed Paper: Trivia & Treasure exhibition at The Goldstein, The Museum of Design, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN from January 30 through April 8, 2000. They were also the editors and publishers of the international Association of Paper Makers and paper Artists (IAPMA) Spring 2000 Bulletin, 50 pp.

The Alexanders are both members of "The Friends of Dard Hunter (FDH)" the national association of papermakers and conservators; and "The International Association of Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA)."

In addition to their work with various fibers and hand papermaking, Harold and Marjorie have other accomplishments.

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