General Information

We suggest bringing at least 20-25 cards to trade, and it helps to have them in a binder or small album that can be easily viewed and passed around during trading.

Try to make at least one card in the monthly theme to participate in the Potluck Draw (in which everyone throws their theme card into a box during introductions and then we all randomly draw someone else's card in trade).

Please make sure your name is legible on the back so that those receiving your cards will know who created them. (Many artists include their e-mail addresses and website or other contact information on the back of their cards.) For further information about making cards, see links below.

What is an ATC?

Artist Trading Cards or ATCs are small works of art measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches that are made to be traded between artists. They can be made in any media on any subject. Here is a good introduction to the format.

The idea for the ATC format was developed in 1996 by Swiss artist m. vanci stirnemann as a way for artists to exchange art without worrying about the constraints of galleries and pricing. The first trading session was in Zurich in 1997. Trading on-line has become very popular, especially for artists who cannot attend live trades locally. You can read more about the history of ATCs here. One friendly site to start trading on-line is ATCs for All.

Mark your calendar!

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Day of Art & ATCs at Greendale Public Library
5647 Broad ST, Greendale WI
(Enter through the Health Department entrance
on Parking Street at the rear of the library.)
Starting at 8:30 a.m. the library's basement meeting room will be open for art playdate and sharing of surplus craft supplies.
Live Trade meeting will be from 1-3 p.m.
Theme: Inspired by Mad Men (the television show)

Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 1-3 p.m.
at Artist &Display
9015 W. Burleigh, Milwaukee WI
Theme: to be decided

June & July 2010 meetings to be scheduled

Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 1-3 p.m.
at Art'N'Oddities
5833 W. Lincoln AV, Milwaukee WI
Theme: to be decided

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Day of Art & ATCs at Greendale Public Library
5647 Broad ST, Greendale WI
(Enter through the Health Department entrance
on Parking Street at the rear of the library.)
Schedule to be announced!