Friday, May 30, 2008

Artists Trading Cards (ATC) for Kids!




I am an elementary art teacher and I am always looking for projects that the kids love to do! My students have been excited by creating artists trading cards. What is an ATC?

These cards are always 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 " in size. They are small pieces are art that are made to be traded with others. The cards can be made on any paper or material in any medium.

Many of the children love to work in editions of their favorite creatures or inventions. Some children do not like to trade all of their work, so they make some for themselves and also for trade. The excitement is to have a collection of these small artworks.

I get scraps of mat board from a recycle and reuse center. The mat board can be cut on a paper cutter to the 2.5 x 3.5 " size. You could ask at any framing center for their leftover pieces.

My students like to use either markers or crayola watercolor pencils. With the watercolor pencils, they can draw their pictures, add a little water to the pictures with a brush to easily

make a painting with no mess! They can also use pictures from magazines, pencil, stamps, tempera paint or any thing your child feels comfortable creating with.

Organize a neighborhood ATC exchange among the kids this summer! It will keep them busy and creating art!

The Artist Trading Cards included are from students from Union City Schools, PA.

2 comments:

Sara said...

what a wonderful idea!

SpinachNPeace said...

Those are awesome! Great idea!