Spotlight on Artist Trading Cards
The joy of owning a rare piece of memorabilia that can be passed down from generation to generation can’t be underestimated. While you’re probably thinking of things like baseball cards or mint comic books, we gather here today in the year of our lord 2022 to discuss Artist Trading Cards (ATC).
They’re rare because there’s only one of them in all the world. Take that, baseball cards.
Let’s get started.
What are Artist Trading Cards?
Beautiful work by @thistleandthimbles (I'm so glad I own one of her pieces!)
Artist trading cards (ATCs for short) are miniature works of art about the same size as modern-day hockey or baseball cards -- 64 x 89 mm (2.5 inches by 3.5 inches).
Artist trading cards (ATCs) as a phenomenon began in 1997 as a conceptual art project initiated by the Swiss artist M. Vänçi Stirnemann. He called it a Collaborative Cultural Performance.
The standard size is important because ATCs are designed to be traded with other artists at a variety of locations and events, including meetups, parties and online communities, where they can be exchanged for another card or simply given as a gift.
Artist Trading Cards are not for sale
You’ll see from the description by Stirnemann below that ATCs impinge significantly on the world of zines:
they are originals, small editions and, most importantly, self-produced. anybody can produce them. the idea is that you trade them with other people who produce cards, either at TRADING SESSIONS or wherever you meet another ATC trader in person. it is important that you meet other people in person to trade - i.e. it is ok to trade by mail or to participate in editions but the main purpose of this performance is the trading session and the personal meeting. It‘s not about money: ATCs are not to be sold (ATCs and money don't mix). participants in trading sessions and editions should not be charged any money: the point of the project is the exchange of cards as well as the personal experience. - Artist Trading Cards
Artist Trading Cards are about community
There are many online communities dedicated to ATCs where people gather to discuss their work and swap addresses so that they can send each other cards.
Many serious ATC artists have an online presence where they post photos of their cards and people who like them can get in touch to trade. You can find them on social media, blog posts, or even an online trading card community.
They may also be posted on an online art gallery where you can buy them from the artist directly (which isn’t strictly within the bounds of what an ATC should be, but whatever floats their boat. Keep reading for this thing called “Art Cards, Editions and Originals” which is like ATCs but with money involved).
Some artists show their cards to trade at a website or store that sells original artwork as well as art supplies such as sketching pencils, watercolors and paintbrushes for sale in bulk.
Online communities are a great way to find more people who share your interest in art. Here are some I float around in:
Kakao Karten: the largest German-language website about self-created trading cards.
Neon Mob: cool idea, but digital
#atcswap or #a3atcswapgroup on Instagram
Art Cards, Editions and Originals: made with the intention to sell
The Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEOs) are the same as Artist Trading Cards, but these are sold by artists as either originals, or limited editions of original works. Like Artist Trading Cards, they can be made with any media, material, or method as long as they measure 64 x 89 mm (2.5 inches by 3.5 inches).
Check out the eBay small art community here.
ATC clubs exist offline too
Clubs have been established in real-world communities too, meeting regularly for the purpose of getting together and trading cards over refreshments and live conversation. Artists trading cards are a neat way to meet other artists and learn about new art techniques. You can find clubs in many cities around the world, from New York City, to Berlin, to Capetown.
Maybe you’ll find your next creative inspiration in an ATC club, who knows.
Some places encourage the cards to be created from a particular theme
For example, one might ask for ATCs with a creation story or the theme might be "works inspired by Monet." Themes can be general or specific. They can also be seasonal or occasion-specific. Themes can also just be fun. Some swaps I’ve participated in have had themes like...
Sea glass
Mountains
Patchwork
Also a great idea:
Because artist trading cards are not as well known outside of the ATC community, it’s fun to give away cards to those who aren’t familiar with them, hopefully inspiring them to start their own collection with this spontaneous present. I like to place mine in my Little Free Library for patrons to take and encourage them to replace the ones they take with those that they create. I also put them inside holiday and birthday cards, especially for kids. - Felt Magnet
More Artist Trading Cards, also made by me.
Small format art = huge creative scope
I hope that I've fired you up enough to go make something small and mighty. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun! As I said before over on the Art Journaling article: I find that my favourite and most fulfilling creations are born out of limitation. The books & art journal pages that I’ve been creating in recent months have been smaller and smaller…and smaller…
Email me if you want to trade ATCs. I’m always up for an art swap.