Third Saturday Online: Trading Cards

While the UMFA was temporarily closed in 2020, Third Saturday for Families art-making activities moved online. In-person activities have resumed but that doesn’t mean you still can’t bring art making home with you!

Before you get started on your trading cards, please take a few moments to find inspiration in some objects from Utah Women Working for Better Days! This exhibition celebrated the 150th anniversary of Utah as the first state where women voted under an equal suffrage law.

These are a few images of portraits included in the exhibition. They’re from a series called Utah Women Making History, created by Utah artist Brooke Smart as commissioned by Better Days 2020. Have you learned about any of these women in Utah history? What woman in your life has inspired you? Today you can draw her portrait on a trading card. If you want to write about her you can on the back of the card.

A graphic poster that says, "Come, come, my conservative friend. Wipe the dew off your spectacles and see the world moving."
Come, come my conservative friend, 2008, Accn 3075 Protest, Marches, and Rallies Collection.
A graphic poster with a tiger that says, "The future is female."
The Future is Female, 2017, Accn 3075 Protest, Marches, and Rallies Collection
A graphic poster that says "Choosing the President" with several other election-related sayings in different fonts surrounding it.
Choosing the President, 1967-68, Accn 544, League of Women Voters of Utah records
A graphic poster of signs. One says "Voting is people power".
Voting is People Power, 1962, Accn 544, League of Women Voters of Utah records
Utah Women Working for Better Days in the ACME Lab, wall of illustrations byBrooke Smart

Illustrations by Utah artist Brooke Smart
Illustrations from Utah Women Making History by Brooke Smart.

Take some time to look around the Better Days 2020 educational website and find something that you didn’t know about Utah women who helped shape the state. What did you learn? Tell someone you are with about what you found out.

Now you can make your trading cards featuring women who have inspired you.

There are two ways to make your trading cards.

You can download the Trading Card Template here and print it out.

Playing card template
Cut your playing cards out of the template

Or you can use a ruler to measure out a 3.5” x 2.5” rectangle for your trading card.

Measure a 2.5 x 3 inch rectangle
Cut your playing cards out

Although any paper will work to make your trading cards, thicker and stiffer paper will make it easier to keep your cards and trade with others!

Utah Women trading cards example

You can outline your portraits with a pen and then color with anything you have at home: colored pencils, crayons, even watercolor!

trading cards made by local artist Beatrice Teigen

Take a look at these trading cards made by local artist Beatrice Teigen. They were inspired by her Great Girls of the World coloring books! What women will you draw on your trading cards?

We’d love to see a snapshot of your cards. Email reply@umfa.utah.edu a picture!

Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks logo

Third Saturdays are funded by Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP)

Better Days 2020 logo yellow

With thanks to our collaborators Better Days 2020 and the J. Willard Marriott Library. The illustrations you see reproduced in the Lab are a selection from a series of fifty created by Utah artist Brooke Smart as commissioned by Better Days 2020.