Artify and Swap a Postcard

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

The Kodiak Arts Council is giving a pen-pal twist to its next community art show. The council is asking artists to paint, draw, and otherwise creatively fill postcard-sized paper and submit them to the gallery. From there, the council will send each participant a random card in exchange for their own.

Programs coordinator Erin Starr-Hollow says last year the Arts Council did an artist trading card show.

“Our theme actually was letters, messages, and communiques, so that seems like a natural progression, but that was just a slightly smaller, I think it’s like a two by three inch approximate size. The intention I think was – almost like a business card, like an individualized business card for people to get their work out there, different artists to create them and trade with each other and network.”

The upcoming art show will involve sharing, not selling. Starr-Hollow says everyone will get a postcard someone else created.

“Whereas in the past, we did the show, some of the pieces sold, artists designated pieces to swap, but it was a little bit difficult of a process, so some pieces just kind of remained in limbo, and artists ended up taking their originals home sometimes, so this is a really fun way to make sure that actually they do go to different people in the end.”

The challenge is open to all artists, hobbyists, and occasional doodlers, and participants may choose to be labeled as anonymous in the show. Any medium is welcome and Starr-Hollow says artists can pick up blank postcards at the Arts Council office. Artists may also work on any surface with the standard postcard size and thickness. Submissions are due by November 2 and the art show opens November 4. If participants feel the need for guidance, the Arts Council’s Brianna Gibbs will lead a workshop this coming Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at Fisherman’s Hall.