Family Artist Trading Card Art Night

Last Wednesday was my school's family art night  for Artist Trading Cards that I put together. I had written a DonorsChoose.org grant (my first one ever) and it was funded by the Prout Family and Robert Hanley, CEO of Home Video Studio.

This fun-filled art night lasted from 5:30-7:30 with a special presentation half-way though the night and a DVD slideshow IMOVIE that I put together of all the students artist trading cards. 22 Different families totaling over 70 people showed up for this event throughout the night. We even had a reporter present (who some how began calling these artist painting trading cards?!) that took photos that made the front page. 

It was so nice to hear from all of the parents and see the younger students making the ATCs (because I do not teach K-2 to make these yet). One family even brought a huge box full of playing cards, old book pages, puff paint, sharpies, and more to go above and beyond in making and trading their cards! 

Many of you are a fan of Garrett, the artist of the "Flip Funnies" as he calls them. He is the student that made the "Wizard" card that is one of my favorites and many of your favorites as well. His mom shared some very kind words with me and told me how they were looking at the blog and book online and saw his art all of the sudden. It came as a huge surprise and she told all of her family about it! She also shared with me that he had begun making a series

 of Presidential Flip Funnies. 

I got to see one he sent to his artist (June, I think you were paired with him). It was of Abe Lincoln and had two pieces. The first one was a 2.5"x3.5" rectangle covering the actual card with an oval in the middle, revealing a small portrait of Abe. I cannot remember what it said, but it was funny. When you lift up the top paper with the oval, it revealed him wearing a dress. I could not believe the creativity and thought put into it. I have been very impressed by his work and several other students who have begun their own series or imitation of the actual artists featured in the book.

That meant so much to me to hear from her and the positive impact this project has on the students. To see something like this at such a young age and be recognized for their talents...

This photo is of an ACEO donated by etsian Jelene. To the right

 of her card is another student's ATC in Jelene's style.  So cool....

Here are some photos taken throughout the night. I have a lot to share, but need to really understand what I can and cannot post before putting them up. I have blurred out faces and had all the parents sign permission slips saying the photos could be used, but want to be extra sure when dealing with students, so pardon the blurs. 

Photos from Artist Trading Card Day in my classroom!

Updates and News!

Hi everyone!

We have a new Flickr group for the book and artists of the book! If you are a featured artists or want to support and follow this project/book, please join!

http://flickr.com/groups/createcollecttrade/

Things are finally starting to slow down as the school year comes to an end. Only 7 more school days left!!!!

It has been a very busy last few months. In addition to putting together the book, I have also been working for a company in NY and became S.C. Johnson's (A Family Company) Crafting Expert on their Clean Home Journal Site!!! This is HUGE for me! 

Check it out here!!!

This Month's Crafting Challenge

Being a first year teacher, I have also gotten sick several times, including catching pink eye twice in the last 4 weeks :(.  Luckily I am feeling much better.

The first batch of books was shipped out last Friday and the rest go out on Monday. If you live in the US, you should be getting your copy in the mail by the end of the week at the latest! Thank you for those who have been patiently waiting through this process.

Many of you have been asking about another edition. The response has been HUGE so far with a waiting list of over 40 new artists who want to participate in the next book. Many of the current artists have asked to be in it again, so you will have first "dibs." It will be awesome to see some new faces as well!

My goal is to put out two this upcoming school year. One book in the fall and one in the spring. Now that I have worked out most of the kinks and learned the process, this should go very smoothly and much quicker. I will be presenting this at the AEAI Art Education Conference in November as well.

This Wednesday is Central's Family Artist Trading Card Night where families will be learning about ACEO/ATC art and be making cards to trade with other families. My 3rd, 4th, and 5th, graders will be helping teach the younger grades since they have never made ATCs before. Families will trade with each other at the end of the night. Students from the book will also be recognized and copies will be passed out for students. 

This night was made possible by a grant though DonorsChoose.org and by the wonderful supporters who donated copies of the books for the students.