January Guild Meeting
Big Ideas in Small Frames & Artist Trading Cards
Presentation by April Hendricks
I had the pleasure of presenting ”Big Ideas in Small Frames” to the attendees of the January Guild meeting. Part of that discussion included information on ATCs. It was so well-received that many artists left with intentions of exploring the idea further. I promised to provide some guidance on how to get started.
What is it?
An acronym for “Artist Trading Card”! They are miniature, original works of art created for the purpose of trading, swapping, or gifting to other artists. Never, NEVER intended to be sold, it’s simply a way to participate in an art exchange.
How did it all begin?
In 1996, Swiss artist, M Vanci Stirnemann, began a project called, A Collaborative Cultural Performance. He created 1200 cards and opened an exhibition that ended in a great swap meet. The idea took hold and galleries around the world began showing these little gems. Swap meets and trading sessions grew in popularity too.
Artist, M. Vanci Stirnemann
What is the benefit?
First and foremost, they are fun to create! It is an invitation to experiment with new materials and techniques. It gets your name out in the artistic community and helps build your reputation. Think personalized business card! It requires minimal time and materials. Storage is a non-issue. Finally, it encourages daily creativity.
What are the Guidelines?
- Each ATC should be exactly 3.5 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide. That is 8.89 x 6.35 cm. That way, each card will neatly fit into a trading card scrapbook! (Yes, the same ones as baseball trading cards!)
- The ATC can be created in any medium and with any techniques that the artist wishes to use.
- The back of the card should contain the following information: Name of the artist, date, title, and any notes you may want to include like medium and contact information.
- Trading is simple! Use the opportunities of craft shows, art shows, etc., to exchange your cards. Trading online has become quite popular too. atcsforall.com is a site showcasing all ability and experience levels.
- If you would prefer to purchase ready-made cards, Amazon offers several options. Simply search “Blank Trading Cards”.
