Written by: Avery Bohman, 577 Community Engagement Coordinator
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are a collaborative art form that began in the late 1990s by Swiss artist and author M. Vänçi Stirnemann. His goal was to make art accessible to all and build a sense of community among fellow artists and crafters.
These miniature works of art are a way to let loose, gather inspiration from other artists around the world, and simply create without the pressures of making something “perfect” or even “finished.” The standard ATC size is 2.5” x 3.5”, the same size as a playing card or sports card, though many artists have expanded into creating ATC coins, roughly 2.5” in diameter. They’re meant to be traded, not sold.
Artist Trading Cards are a wonderful way to experiment with different art mediums and explore new styles of art, from gelli printing and block printing to watercolor, acrylic, collage, mixed media, hand sewing, and stitching. The possibilities are endless! They’re also a fun opportunity to reuse materials such as old playing cards, newspapers, book pages, envelopes, junk mail, cereal boxes, fabric scraps, and so much more. When I am creating, I often find ways to incorporate some kind of recycled material in my ATCs. I’ve used buttons and puzzle pieces, scrap paint pages, old greeting cards, and old sewing patterns, to name a few.
Artist Trading Cards have been such a delight in my artistic life. I’ve had the chance to try new styles of art in a low-pressure way, repurpose some really interesting ephemera, and have met and traded with wonderful people all over the country, both in-person and online. Trading with people of all ages and artistic levels has been a pleasure, and I love receiving them in the mail. I even started an ATC binder to collect pieces from past trades and a few personal favorites I can’t bear to part with! Some have become small gifts for friends and family, who have loved getting little snapshots of my artistic journey.
What began as a simple creative exercise has become a meaningful way to connect with others. These tiny works of art are making a big impact by fostering community between fellow artists and allowing folks to discover new avenues of art through creative experimentation. Artist Trading Cards are for everyone, young and old, beginner and experienced.
I invite you to give it a try! Click HERE to learn more and create with us.
