Art In Hand
What is “Art in Hand?” A full deck of playing cards for you to use for fun and enjoyment! And this month you can purchase the artistic deck of cards or the actual artwork from one of the designing artists. From over 150 works submitted in response to Dione’s postings on Craig’s List, artist lists and specific gallery lists, 55 card faces were chosen – that is, the normal 52 playing cards in a deck plus three jokers.
The wildly creative cards are fully functional even featuring a joker from an original acrylic painting of Dione’s. The original works (8×10 and larger) were at Davidson’s So Alive Gallery (108 S. Main) last month. This month they hang at the Creative Art Exchange (CAE), 19725 Oak Street in Cornelius and beginning this Saturday will be available for sale. The final show and sale occurs during June at Artworks on Main, 165 North Main Street in Mooresville. Proceeds from the sale of the original art goes to CAE. The decks of cards are available at all three locations.
The artists come only from the greater Charlotte area and represent emerging artists, emerged artists and art students. Their art mediums range from photography to watercolor to fabric arts images. Some cards are playful; some are serious. For the artists whose participation was voluntary, there is increased exposure to showcase their talent. When you access www.artinhandcards.com you view the full list of artists and when “clicking” on a particular card, you meet the artist and see more of his/her work.
Dione carefully researched this project before beginning and found that the only historical reference to a similar deck of cards was during the Victorian era. She started soliciting art for the deck last October and artists were chosen in January. Wanting the cards to be produced in the USA, Dione chose the US Playing Card Company in Cincinnati which also produces the familiar Bicycle Playing cards. Only soy ink was used in the manufacture and except for the cellophane wrapping, the deck is 100% recyclable. It sells for $12.95. As the packaging states: “Use them to play all your favorite cards games while enjoying a gallery-quality art show right in your own hand.”
What an original and functional idea! Dione hopes to work with other US cities to create their own playing cards but will always have the same “Art in Hand” logo on the back of the cards. Thus one could mix decks with art from various cities. (Dione’s brother lives in Maui so perhaps the next deck will have a Hawaiian theme.) For additional information, you can contact Dione at artinhandcards@gmail.com. We are glad to have the Goyette family in town!
