by Meaghan Louise

Created on: August 02, 2008

ARTIST TRADING CARDS are miniature works of art created on 2.5 X 3.5 inch or 64 X 89 mm card stock.

They are original artworks, small editions and most importantly are self produced.Anyone can produce them, the idea being that you trade them with others who produce Artist Trading Cards, either at Trading Sessions in person or via the post. There are many groups that exchange via snail mail. A quick look through Yahoo Groups (or similar) will provide a contact list of thousands of ATC creators and connect you to a whole knew world of arty friends.Here you can share images of the cards you have produced, participate in swaps with other ATC artists across the world and discuss methods and techniques.

Anything goes with Artist Trading Cards.You can create in any style you wish with any medium you wish, the only limitation is the size and your imagination.The concept of these cards is that they are produced for swapping with other Trading Card Artist's only. The alternative for those who wish to make money from the production of these cards are known as ACEO's(Art Cards Editions and Originals) and these can be found on auction sites E-bay,on individual artists sites, at art fairs and market stalls.

The concept of the artist trading card began in 1997 with a project initiated by Zurich artist, m.vni stirnemann. Since then literally hundreds of thousands of cards have changed hands. Examples of the cards that have been produced can be seen on the original Artist Trading Card website (http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/) along with links to ATC forums and to individual ATC artist's sites.There is a list of swap meets for those who are interested in meeting and swapping their work with artists in their area, along with a postal swap for female Trading Card Artists Only, known as 'Sister Trading Cards'. To participate you simply produce 20 cards, anything you like as long as you adhere to the size of 2.5 X 3.5 inches, put your name, title of the card and contact details on the back and post them off to the address on the site. In return you recieve a set of cards (including one of your own back). This is known as an edtion, a copy of which is then posted on the site (which for budding artists looks great on your resume as it is an interntaional 'group show').

This group also produces a quaterly magazine known as the ATC Quartarly, which can be veiwed via the links on the ATC webpage.

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