In the 1700s and onwards, writing paper started to have illustrations and other design embellishments following the popularization of printing presses. In 1777, Demaison, a French engraver, published a sheet of decorative greeting cards designed to be cut and mailed. Out of privacy concerns, it was slow to catch on. Prepaid stamps and decorative cards designed by the artist William Mulready came about in the UK in the 1800s, the design was imperialistic and widely ridiculed, so they were replaced by a plain pink envelope with a stamp on it. In 1861, the US Congress allowed privately printed cards to be sent through the mail. John P. Charlton patented the postal card; he sold the rights to Hymen Lipman. With the arrival of the Civil War, postcards were forgotten about until almost a decade later. Shortly after, in Germany, Heinrich von Stephan created the introduction of the rigid card. In Austria-Hungary, Dr. Emanuel Herrmann wrote an article recommending the more practical cheaper method of postcard writing. The Austrian Post were excited by this idea and on October 1st, 1869 the postcard finally arrived and was implemented. Postcards had their heyday in the early 1900s; in a world without technology, they were quick and easy to send, with several delivery services per day in larger cities. Chicago publisher Curt Teich then started mass-printing postcards.
With the advent of social media, postcards are now mass printed mostly to advertise businesses or events, excepting holiday cards to catch up with friends and family, they are rarely used to connect one to one socially. If you see a personal postcard in your mail, it means someone spent the extra time to connect in a meaningful way. Arts Postcards reclaim this history of designed postcards and non-digital connection. They can be framed and hung on the wall or sent as meaningful messages to people we love and care for, and then also framed and hung on the wall.
South Puget Sound Community College has been presenting the postcard show for 14 years, it was the brainchild of Carol Hannum, a former SPSCC art faculty member.
Gallery Director Sean Barnes says: “I find the collective contributions from the community to be the most remarkable aspect of the exhibition auction. Every year 100 plus artists and non-artists contribute hundreds of small works inspired by the theme which are cultural and universal in nature. The show brings our creative community together to support the arts.”
It is such a gift to the community as the spirit in this event is quite frankly joyful because of its level playing field. In true hivemind spirit, the show contains rtworks from young and older, seasoned professional artists as well as newly fledged artists and is a valued opportunity to snag a piece of art from a long-admired artist or a beloved family member. It is the most inclusive local arts event to be found as anyone can join in, even the theme of the show is suggested by attendees and all benefits go to the running of the gallery. Given that Olympia is the only state capital that doesn’t have a publicly funded art museum, the Leo Fuller Gallery is an important and much needed hub of our local arts community. This year the theme is “Forgotten Conversations.” The theme is usually very loosely and variedly interpreted by the artists and not always fully apparently adhered to, but no one cares, and it always makes for a rich, vibrant, thoughtful, and diverse show, this year’s show is no exception. There are a multitude of delightful interpretations both comedic and contemplative, using a wide variety of mediums and textures.
Barnes says that patrons may register for the online auction bidding through the gallery website and links on the social media pages; Facebook and Instagram @spsccgallery. https://spscc.edu/art-gallery
The direct link to the online auction is: https://postcardexhibit2025.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse
For next year, should you or someone you know want to apply, the requirements are three original artworks 6 X 4 inches on some kind of sturdy material such as card, wood panel or the like. No frames or mattes. The entry fee is $5. Submissions are usually due in early December and the show is up for the month of January. See website for more specific details.
WHAT:
14th Annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition and Auction: “Forgotten Conversations”
WHEN:
Noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 6 to Feb. 7
Closing reception with silent auction: Friday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.
WHERE:
Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia
HOW MUCH:
Free
LEARN MORE:
https://spscc.edu/art-gallery
