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. Please come prepared to trade with everyone, regardless of skill level.

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. (Note: The original page no longer exists. This is the link to an archived version.)

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.

Why make and trade ATCs? The small size of the card allows you to experiment with new media and techniques without spending a lot of money on supplies. For many participants, the interaction with other artists and the opportunity to learn new things is more important than the trading of the art itself.

To Bee or Not to Bee
by Dianna Reiter
(Hand-carved stamps)

Mark your calendar!

Upcoming Meetings

For 2019 we have 2 suggested themes each month - one material or technique theme and one subject or topic theme
(You can try one or both or, as always, you can make whatever you like!)

Some Locations and Dates still to be Decided

Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 1-3 p.m.
at the New Berlin Public Library in the Community Room
15105 Library Lane, New Berlin WI

Suggested Themes: Collage and/or Color

Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 1-3 p.m.
at the Fond du Lac Public Library
32 Sheboygan ST, Fond du Lac, WI
(Sign up for the group e-mail list if you want to receive information regarding carpooling and shopping and lunch options in Fondy prior to this ATC meeting)

Suggested Themes: Painting and/or Holidays, Events & Celebrations

Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 9-3 p.m.

Art playdate and live trade at the Muskego Public Library
S73W16663 W Janesville RD, Muskego WI

9 a.m. - meeting room open for art play date
1-3 p.m. (approx) ATC live trade & meeting

Suggested Themes: Printing Techniques and/or "Eat, Drink & Be Merry"

August 2019
Suggested Themes: Shiny or Transparent Things and/or All Things Art History

September 2019
Suggested Themes: Natural Materials and/or History & Politics & Culture

October 2019
Suggested Themes: Moving Parts and/or Design & Pattern

November 2019
Suggested Themes: "Not Just a Rectangular Card" and/or "All About You"

Saturday, December 14, 2019 from 12-4 p.m
End-of-Year Potluck & Live Trade
in the Ladish Meeting Room at
the Cudahy Family Library
3500 Library DR, Cudahy WI
We will be having a potluck meal and art play date in addition to the ATC trade. Please sign up for our group's e-mail list before 12/1/2019, if you want to get all the details.
Theme: Open theme
(and bring your leftover cards to trade)

Spring by Gary Warren Niebuhr
(Collage ATC)