Sifted – Sarah Short

Sifted showcases Sarah Short’s masterful use of vintage materials in mixed-media collage. With a deep appreciation for the aged beauty of old book covers, forgotten ephemera, and letterpress typography, Short repurposes discarded materials into captivating compositions. Her work invites viewers to look closer, engaging with the layered textures and fragmented narratives that emerge from the remnants of the past.

“I want what was once beautiful to be beautiful again,” says Short. “My works urge you to lean in, see the small details, and remember your past.”

About the Artist

Sarah Z. Short is a mixed-media collage artist from the woods of Rhode Island. With a background as an English teacher, she has a deep connection to books—not just as literature, but as a tactile and visual medium. She prints with vintage wooden type on pages salvaged from discarded books, then transforms these prints into abstract collages, emphasizing shape, white space, and layered textures.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries, licensed as prints, and featured in both print and digital publications. In addition to her studio practice, Short teaches workshops online and in person, sharing her passion for collage and letterpress printing with others.