Creating Artist Trading Cards...

We spent last week creating our first "get to know you" project in 7th grade art- an artist trading card or otherwise known simply as an ATC. These cards were made to illustrates things about ourselves- hobbies, friends and family, things we like, etc by using images and text from magazines. Our cards had to show an area of EMPHASIS as well. 

Soon these cards will be traded with other middle school students either by a swap-bot.com trade that Ms. Hare has signed up for or through our art collaboration grant with Annandale and North Junior High (more details coming later). Below is a quick overview of the history and details of ATC's:

Originating in Switzerland over 15 years ago, an artist trading card (or ATC for short) is a tiny, original piece of art created with the intention of swapping or trading it with another artist, not selling it. The one rule an artist trading card must adhere to is the size. An ATC must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Why? That's the size of the original collectible- sports trading cards.

On the front of an ATC an artist creates an original work to showcase their art. On the back the artist puts their name, title of the ATC and the date it was created.

Artist trading cards can be made in any medium and using any technique, whether it's painting, drawing or collage. You are really limited only by your imagination!