a peek inside the fishbowl

Well, I decided at the very minimum that I had to do something about one of them.

So. I sent out a few emails and this morning I met the owner of a small gallery here in town.* I brought my collection of Artist Trading Cards. And he liked them. AND, he pointed out one particular set that I made. I think he said they were pretty cool. I can’t remember exactly, I was too busy trying to look arty and hip.

We talked. And the end result was this: he is going to host an ATC-trading event in his gallery. My collection will be displayed. I help set it up and spread the gospel. And it’s going to happen some evening in November.

I am thrilled. Not only is it a great opportunity to show my bits of art… but I’ll be bringing other people’s work with me too. If I have an ATC of yours in my collection it just might end up there. (I’m talking to you Zhenia! And Kirsten!)

Did I mention I’m thrilled? But anxious. Ugh. I’m going to have to do some organizing here. And I what about the mingling aspect of this aforementioned event? I can’t even think about that. I have a lot to do.

1. I’m helping write the call for participation and get the word out
   -  this document will include pertinent info about ATCs.
   -  we’ll be asking each participating artist to bring 5-10 of their own cards to trade. 

   (Egads. I’m going to have to make a batch of cards. What if they suck?)

2. Live trading session? I’ve never been to one. How does it work exactly? I need to figure this out. (Is it anything like when we traded scratch-n-sniff stickers in third grade? i.e. I’ll trade you one pizza for two lemons! Or do they all get plunked down on a table and traded that way?)
3. Display logistics are up to me. He suggested hanging the cards on a wall. I suggested filling one of those clear sleeves that holds 100 trading cards and hanging the thing on a rack or something… that way, people will be able to see both sides of each card. (?)

* I am being intentionally vague about the Who and Where. Sorry. But he doesn’t know I’m blogging about this and there are still lots of details to iron out.

All in all it was a good chat. I feel like I’ve accomplished something. I was out of there in about 30 minutes. Then, as I stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street, I narrowly missed getting swiped by a delivery truck.

And I also (finally!) spent my birthday money today. But more on that tomorrow.

I’m off to eat a celebratory bowl of ice cream.