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 This is the link to an archived version.)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)
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Mark your calendar!
Upcoming Meetings
Dates may be subject to change
Due to the ongoing pandemic, any scheduled dates below may be subject to change depending on the availability of the location. We request that you pre-register if you plan to participate (in person or via Zoom) so we can notify you if there are unexpected changes. Please sign up for the email list for the latest updates.
We are asking people attending our meeting to wear a face mask covering both your nose and mouth. The meeting locations also strongly recommend that visitors wear masks and practice social distancing.
In-Person & Joint Virtual Meeting
Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1-3 p.m.
at the Tippecanoe Library (Community Meeting Room)
3912 S. Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
Suggested Theme: Found Materials
If you plan to attend in person, please contact Carolyn Brady by Sunday, April 23, via the email on this page or via the survey that will be sent to the group email list. (Please contact Carolyn before Thursday, April 27, if you are planning to participate by Zoom, so we can send you the meeting link.)
In-Person & Joint Virtual Meeting
Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 1-3 p.m.
at the New Berlin Public Library, Community Meeting Room
15105 Library Lane, New Berlin WI
Suggested Theme: Color Spectrum
If you plan to attend in person, please contact Carolyn Brady by Sunday, May 14, via the email on this page or via the survey that will be sent to the group email list. (Please contact Carolyn before Thursday, May 18, if you are planning to participate by Zoom, so we can send you the meeting link.)
Future 2023 Meeting Dates & Locations still to be decided!
June 2023 - Fiber & Sewing
July 2023 - Maps & Travel
August 2023 - Text
September 2023 - Challenge Yourself
October 2023 - Lines & Patterns
November 2023 - Vintage & Historical
December 2023 - Open Theme

Adequate Wiring
by Gary Warren Niebuhr
(collage ATC)
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