Mail Art Mania!

Create, collect, send

© Jennifer Hollowell

Sep 25, 2006

Mail art offers a wealth of opportunity for mixed media artists to create, explore, collect and collaborate. Let's explore!

Before we get into detail about why people like mail art so much, let's focus on what mail art is. Defined literally, mail art is (as defined by wikipedia.com) . . .

Mail art is art which uses the postal system as a medium. The term "mail art" can refer to an individual message, the medium through which it is sent, and an art movement.

Mail artists typically exchange ephemera in the form of illustrated letters; zines; rubberstamped, decorated, or illustrated envelopes; artist trading cards; postcards; artistamps; faux postage; mail-interviews; naked mail; and three-dimensional objects.

Now that we know what mail art is, let's discuss where you can go to participate in mail art projects. Collaborations between artists over the Internet has been a popular practice for many years and there are many very good groups and websites to back this claim. Here are some:

  • Yahoo! Groups: Directory - Mail Art: There are hundreds of very active groups listed in this directory. A Yahoo! account is necessary to participate.
  • Nervousness.org - Powered by vBulletin Nervousness is the premier Internet community for exchanging mail art. ... and share suggestions for how to improve exchange experiences. ... a membership is required to participate.
  • Found Art! This site is directed to found art artists, but there are still mail art calls listed. A membership is required.
  • PostcardX.net: Postcard exchange site that encourages sending kindness to random members. The discussion area is where members create lists for personal mail art projects that go beyond the idea of random mailing. A membership is required.
  • WetCanvas! This site offers a wealth of information for visual artists, as well as mail artists. A membership is required before you view and participate in the projects available.

    • Here's a list where you can find other mail artists around the 'net:

  • MAIL ART ARTISTS: This list contains over 200 mail art artists.
  • Mail art - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: scroll to the end of the definition and explanation of mail art to see a list of links for high profile mail artists.
  • Cleveland Public Library: Unique Collections: an alphabetical listing of mail artists.
  • MAIL ART LINKS: a worldwide collection of mail artists links.

    • Learn more about mail art by visiting the following links:

  • MailArtist.com: By clicking on each button on this page, you're presented with a very good explanation of each form of mail art this artist would like to discuss. This will help answer a lot of common questions for beginners.
  • Art by the Yard: Explore tips, techniques and other help topics covering mail art.
  • Mail-Art: This website, based in Germany, delves into the history of mail art, while offering visitors tips and techniques.
  • A Mail Artist's Anthology: Ruud Janssen, TAM & IUOMA, 26 Year History in MAIL ART: Founder of TAM, traveling mail art, and creator of much more, Ruud Janssen has created a valuable information site filled with links and references for the mail artist.

    • As discussed in the links above, mail artists have the opportunity to explore many (if not all) forms of media in ther work. Mail art is appealing to artists because it gives them the opportunity to:

  • explore new projects they would have otherwise not known about or thought to try
  • explore new techniques they would have otherwise not known about or thought to try
  • feel instant gratification upon completion of a small project, like an ATC collection or DECO
  • collect items, such as filled journals, ATCs, DECOs, altered books and postcards
  • create art frequently and send it off without having to clutter their studios or workspaces
  • create art frequently and be constantly inspired by the art of others for those who battle bouts of artists block

    • There are many other reasons why mail art is so appealing to artists. I welcome you to discuss this in the discussion area; I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!


    The copyright of the article Mail Art Mania! in Mixed Media Arts is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Mail Art Mania! must be granted by the author in writing.




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