Since discovering the idea of artist trading cards at an out-of-town crafts event three years ago, Chris Lynd has adopted the concept as her own, becoming a prolific maker and advocate for the personalized keepsakes.
A different phenomenon to the sports trading card industry, which can be extremely lucrative, Lynd said the artist version is all about fostering and creating connection. She’ll send them to longtime friends, new acquaintances met on vacation, and people she encounters around the Highlands.
“The cards are very small, around two-and-a-half inches by three-and-a-half inches, and it’s just some sort of artistic impression and a message on there,” Lynd said. “You don’t have to be a great artist to do this – it’s something anyone can do. You can use stamps, watercolours, do a nice drawing with a sharpie, or even just write out a heartfelt message.”
Once complete, people are encouraged to either mail cards out or pack them up and take them on the road to different trade shows. Lynd said she’s been to several over the past couple years.
“They’re really popular – artists come from all over to showcase their work. It’s an incredible community, because the only rule, really, is that no money is exchanged. People have to trade with another person from somewhere else in the world, but the plus to that is they get to keep whatever they’ve traded for as part of their collection,” she said.
Lynd estimates she’s sent out around 50 cards since 2023, though she has more in her personal set. As a collage embroiderer, she’s creative and able to use different techniques to form unique designs.
Locals will have the chance to learn about her processes this week, with Lynd one of five artists partnering with Aging Together as Community (ATAC) and The Arts Council – Haliburton Highlands at a ‘Creative Connections’ interactive arts workshop, being held at the West Guilford Recreation Centre Aug. 14. It’s ATAC’s second event of its 2026/27 fiscal year, confirmed lead Bonnie Roe. She said the organization got grant money through the province to pay for programming, which, in the past, has typically been geared towards seniors.
“What we’re hearing is people want more than just educational activities. There have been requests for more inspirational and motivational programs – this one is heavily centred on the arts and introduces people to makers from various unique mediums,” Roe said.
There are five workshops, with guests getting to choose one morning and one afternoon session. Appearing alongside Lynd are painters Harvey Walker and Kathy Marlene Bailey, stage performer Ella Leis, and illustrator, leather worker and muralist Noelia Marziali.
“We wanted to offer a variety of different workshops because art isn’t just painting. There are so many aspects – the art of Zentangle, which Noelia will be featuring, is a whole other thing that was totally new to me. So, it’s a good chance for people to learn something new.”
Free to attend, Roe said the event is full. She expects there to be a strong presence of younger people, following the trend seen at recent ATAC events. At a musical offering in the spring, there were 22 young adults in attendance.
“We’re finally shedding that tag of being a group for older people – we’re trying to find new ways of connecting with younger people. We see opportunities for different generations coming together and experiencing what aging is really all about,” Roe said.
There are two more events to come this funding cycle – one planned for Haliburton in October and another in Minden in March. Roe said ATAC is also hosting its first annual general meeting next spring – a requirement after the organization secured non-profit status last August.
Regularly connecting with 700 people through a mailed newsletter, Roe said ATAC is planning to launch memberships next year.
