Artist Trading Cards

Art  |  Community | Fun

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) were invented by Swiss artist M. Vänçi Stirnemann in 1997. He initiated the project as a form of collaborative cultural performance, inspired by the social interaction of trading sports trading cards. 

ATCs are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches in size and are meant to be traded, not sold, maintaining the spirit of exchange and community among artists. While some artists may choose to sell cards, the core ATC concept emphasizes trading. 

The cards to the right are some I have released into the wild, remain in my private collection, or have on my person ready for trading.

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Art and graphics by Melissa L. Thomas. They may be not duplicated in any other media format without written permission.