Track: Traveling Art Cards for Kids

TRACK: Traveling Art Cards for Kids is a mobile art program that serves vulnerable groups of youth.

We are now working with 13 agencies state-wide with our "basecamp" studio nestled at Somerville's Artisan's Asylum. TRACK’s roots:

In the Spring of 2009, Co-founder Marina Seevak met Maine artist, Rob Logan, at one of his popular art card workshops in the basement of Redbones in Davis Square, Somerville. Her “never-sit-still” 9 year old son begged to go see Rob each time he was in town and was al

ways first in line to perch next to Rob and draw. Marina became intrigued watching her son stay so focused and engaged doing art cards week after week. Not to mention her amazement at how the mile high pile of art cards he made and traded with Rob became one of his most treasured possessions and never got lost. Rob was inspiring, art cards were simple but exciting, and Marina’s son, and all the other kids, loved their time creating them. Marina knew Rob was on to something with art cards and her ideas started percolating. Later that year, Marina brought Rob to her annual block party to share the excitement of art cards with her neighbors. She also invited Jenna Alderton, an accomplished artist and teacher, to meet Rob and see the power of kids making these small works of art and to get her involved in bringing them to a wider community of kids. Immediately Jenna caught the Art Card fever and wanted to learn more. That night she went home and started doing her own research on the artist trading card movement. She was astounded to see how many inspiring projects people were producing on this tiny, 2½” by 3½” medium. The concept for a program like TRACK began paving its way shortly thereafter. With the help of a few enthusiastic kids, Jenna facilitated casual, after-school Art Card workshops. The idea was simple: create a safe and fun environment for kids to be creative, build social skills and share their work. What started as a Thursday night activity grew as word about Art Cards continued to spread. Given her background working in therapeutic milieus in Detroit, Chicago and Boston, Jenna also realized what a powerful tool Art Cards could be for building self-esteem and pro-social skills for kids who needed explicit social teaching. It was obvious that kids were engaged in something meaningful that was both fun and exciting. Kids who previously didn’t feel like artists suddenly felt like their art mattered. Kids who didn’t have friends started to learn what it meant to be a good friend while sharing supplies, helping others brainstorm creative ideas and by trading Art Cards. Fueled by these positive outcomes, Jenna hit the road with the power of Art Card workshops and TRACK was born!

06/20/2024

Bags of Beautiful Stuff available for purchase and local pick up. Are you planning for your summer program? Maybe some Beautiful Stuff is just what you need. $12 per bag. Pay online at www.thebeautifulstuffproject.org/donate Message us to let us know how many bags you purchased and we will send you pick up local location. Pick up dates: Thursday June 27. Friday June 28 and Saturday June 29. Email [email protected]

09/15/2022

Do you love seeing our found object mandalas pop up? Join us to make your own! Virtual workshop Tuesday September 20 7:30 pm. $10. Register here: https://thebeautifulstuffproject.org/online-offering/found-object-mandala-making/

Found Object Mandala Making - The Beautiful Stuff Project

08/22/2022

Join us in September

Found Object Mandala Making - The Beautiful Stuff Project Join us for an hour of supportive and relaxing found object mandala making. Start with making mandalas yourself and you will surely want to find ways to introduce to your family, friends, and students. They have a meditative and calming power. Everything you need can be found around your house and y...

Photos from The Beautiful Stuff Project's post

07/12/2021

05/25/2021

THE BEAUTIFUL STUFF PROJECT PROVIDES TREASURE THROUGH PANDEMIC | BINJ The arts operation embraces change.

12/26/2020

Local Friends!! Still several spots left. Sign up today and drop in workshops start Monday. Here's the link to register
https://checkout.square.site/buy/52EULZQZFD53SQDRTXN475FG
Curbside pick up of art trading card kits tomorrow (Sunday) or very local door drop delivery Monday morning if needed.

Looking for something fun, creative and relaxed for you child to do over the upcoming school break. SIgn up for our Art Trading Card Winter Staycation workshop. Price includes zoom link for every day and an inspiring kit of materials to make your own ATC's. Here's the link to register
https://checkout.square.site/buy/52EULZQZFD53SQDRTXN475FG

11/14/2020

Just released! By popular demand here it is--our first treasure box video with the "beautiful lady" made especially for kids at home. Teachers download to use as part of your remote curriculum. Perfect for families looking for creative fun for the indoor days ahead. Purchase here for download
https://www.thebeautifulstuffproject.org/educational-videos
All proceeds support our ongoing work in the community.

08/05/2020

Still some spots left in our USING LOOSE PARTS TO PROMOTE PLAY DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES online workshop coming up this week: Thursday August 6 10am-12pm. Register here. https://checkout.square.site/buy/KWUCEWVXSIL2GD2PM2Q3O5I2

07/31/2020

Want a quick and easy way to help our diaper distribution project? Go on our wish list and buy us a box or two of size 4,5, or 6 diapers. These are our most popular sizes and we just can't keep enough in stock.
Here's the link
https://www.target.com/gift-registry/giftgiver?registryId=38e19c107a2848baa6c885b4e52d49cd

06/29/2020

Rainy day activity alert! Looking for something inside for your kids to do this week. How about some art trading cards. We have art trading card kits available for curbside pick up. Includes blank art trading cards, all kinds of collage papers and stickers. $20 per kit.
https://checkout.square.site/buy/FLVJYVCPJ6KQVURN7BJ7SN52
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoon pick up between 12-4pm. Just knock on our storefront door, hold up sign with your name, and James will put your kit right outside the door for you.
Fun for your kids and great way to help us do some business during this time.

12/03/2019

Make The Beautiful Stuff Project a Priority for Your Giving Tuesday Donations! THANK YOU!! Our community impact has been significant and we want to continue and grow all that we do. YOU make that possible.
P.S. Neighborhood Children's Foundation is the umbrella organization for our work. Every dollar to NCF goes directly to The Beautiful Stuff Project!

10/10/2019

Introducing our newest : the magnet card! Thanks to for donating boxfuls of the perfect size magnets.

09/26/2019

Thursday night art trading card meet up for adults. 6-8pm. Buffet of art materials, inspiring company, just $5 drop in fee.

06/27/2019

Art Trading Card meet up tonight at The Beautiful Stuff Project storefront..511 Medford Street Somerville..
6-8pm. $10 donation at the door.

Hot air balloon with with flower petal. Mixed media art trading card. Today is art trading card Thursday. Stop by and make some of your own mini masterpieces. Just a $5 drop in fee. Great activity for a summer afternoon.

04/02/2019

Sign your young artist up now! Saturday afternoon art trading cards at The Beautiful Stuff Project storefront!. https://squareup.com/store/neighborhood-childrens-foundation/item/art-trading-cards

03/25/2019

SIgn up for Saturday art trading card club at The Beautiful Stuff Project. Or Somerville Public Early Release Wednesdays.

01/30/2019

Neighborhood Children's Foundation

11/08/2018

The Beautiful Stuff Project The Beautiful Stuff Project increases access to play and the arts through creative reuse of materials.

10/25/2018

TONIGHT. At The Beautiful Stuff Project storefront at 511 Medford St
Somerville. ART TRADING CARD making 6-9pm. Drop in.

06/21/2018

Great ART TRADING CARD technique. Get you supplies at .

05/22/2018

A pirate. Mixed media art trading card. Third grade newcomers class, Argenziano School, Somerville Public Schools, May, 2018

Photos from Track: Traveling Art Cards for Kids's post

05/01/2018

Beaded art trading cards. Prospect Hill Charter School 4th grade girls, Drop in open studio time at The Beautiful Stuff Project, April, 2018.

04/27/2018

Art Trading Cards to reinforce just learned 2D shapes.
Third grade, Kennedy School, Somerville Public Schools, April 2018

04/24/2018

Crayon melted art trading card. Somerville Public Schools, April, 2018.

04/06/2018

Great way to end the week. The Beautiful Stuff Project brought Art Trading Cards today to the Newcomers third grade at the Argenziano School in Somerville Public Schools.

03/27/2018

Art trading cards are back. First day of new club cycle at in the Somerville Public Schools afterschool at the Kennedy School. Today markers. Next week collage.