The latest Artists on View exhibition at Dudley House brings together a stunning collection of swap cards from the Crazy Club, a local group of creatives aged between six and 86.
The idea is based on the official concept of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) developed in the 1990s for groups around the world to swap cards featuring their unique designs.
The cards measure 89mm x 64mm and are the size of standard trading cards such as footy cards.
The basis of Crazy Club is at the start of each month, a new theme is chosen and artists have one month to create three trading cards in any medium. They provide their details and a date on the reverse side of the card.
The curator then collates the cards and provides everyone with three traded ATCs to add to their collection. Each card is by a different artist.
The exhibition features around 1,000 cards made in this way ranging from tiny paintings, drawings, collages, and photographs.
For the 'coffee' theme displayed at the exhibition, visitors can see drawings of coffee in a cup, a painting created from coffee as the medium, and a collage using coffee-dyed paper, fabric, and twine.
The 'time' theme will offer interpretations of time travel, tea-time, and once-upon-a-time from Crazy Club members.
Exhibition Curator Robbie Buckman said the artists featured in the Crazy Club exhibition came from diverse backgrounds.
"Crazy Club in Greater Bendigo was created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and comprises mostly of women who are carers, who meet regularly to work on a new swap card theme at the start of each month," Ms Buckman said.
"It has been a great way for members to enhance their self-belief and for their creativity acknowledged by family, friends and the wider community.
"I love being part of Crazy Club because it pushes me to create cards each month, and I love seeing the variety of interpretations for the themes. One that recently springs to mind was Blanket Cox's card created for an Alice in Wonderland theme - reimagined as 'Alice Cooper in Wonderland'.
"My favorite cards are ones I've collaborated on with my grandson. For the autumn theme, we created a card depicting the Bendigo Easter Festival - my grandson drew a Chinese lion and dragons, and I coloured them with watercolour paints. For the sea theme, he drew imaginary deep-sea fish, and I collaged them."
To enhance the experience and for visitors to the exhibition to interact, visitors can create their own swap card. Blank cards and a variety of art materials will be available with time-saving techniques such as pre-made backgrounds, stamps, and ink pads, as well as more complex materials for visitors who wish to take a little longer to create their artwork. Visitors can keep their creation or trade their card as part of a lucky dip.
Manager Bendigo Venues & Events (BV&E) Julie Amos said the exhibition at Dudley House was a unique way to develop collective creativity.
"Through creativity comes significant benefits for all involved," Ms Amos said.
"The core group of artists currently participating in Crazy Club are women who meet weekly in each other's homes to make the art. Most are carers and are multi-generational.
"They treasure the friendships and the time they spend together creating their artwork.
"The variety of interpretations from a selected theme is astounding."
The exhibition's official opening is at 5pm tonight and Crazy Club will be on display at Dudley House until Tuesday October 1.
The Artists on View program is presented by BV&E to support local artists presenting new work in Dudley House. It is open to individual artists and arts groups living, working or studying primarily in the City of Greater Bendigo.
