Postcards From the Edge

Since 1998, Visual AIDS has produced the annual Postcards From The Edge exhibition and benefit sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists.

Known within the art world as the most exciting and affordable way to add to a collection, Postcards From the Edge offers a unique opportunity for buyers to acquire original, postcard-sized artwork for ONLY $85 EACH (less than a round of cocktails - give or take a martini). Offered on a first-come, first-served basis, each piece is exhibited anonymously, and the identity of the artist is revealed only after the work is purchased. With the playing field leveled, all participants can take home a piece by a famous artist, or one who's just making their debut in the art world. Nonetheless, collectors walk away with something beautiful, a piece of art they love!

By participating in Postcards From the Edge artists and collectors support the activities of Visual AIDS, enabling the organization to produce AIDS-focused contemporary art programs and provide supplies and assistance to artists living with HIV/AIDS, many who are unable to continue producing work without such support. All Postcards From the Edge proceeds support the programs of Visual AIDS.

See details about past PFTE events below.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Q: What is Postcards from the Edge?
A: Postcards From The Edge is an exhibition and benefit sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists. All the artwork is exhibited anonymously, and the name of the artist is revealed only after the work is purchased. All proceeds support the programs of Visual AIDS.

Q: When is Postcards from the Edge?
A: Postcard from the Edge takes place each winter. (often in December or January)

Q: Where does Postcards from the Edge take place?
A: Traditionally, Postcards from the Edge takes place at a different gallery each year. The host gallery donated it's space to us between exhibitions.

Q: How can I submit artwork to Postcards from the Edge?
A: Any and all artists over 18 years old are encourage to donate a 4" x 6" original work on paper for our Postcards From the Edge exhibition and benefit sale. Call for submissions are posted each Fall.

Q: When is the deadline?
A: The deadlines vary each year.

Q: What kind of artwork can be submitted?

A: Postcard artwork can be in any medium, including drawings, photographs, paintings, printmaking and mixed media, as long as it is 4"x6" inches. There are no limitations to theme or subject mater, however work should be original.

Q: Is the show juried? How will I know if my work will be displayed?
A: No, the exhibition and sale is not juried. All work that arrives by deadline and meets the submission criteria will be displayed.

Q: Can I sign the front of the artwork?

A: No, please only sign the back.

Q: How do you know whose work is whose?
A: You don't. Part of the fun of Postcard from the Edge, is all the work is displayed anonymously, however the artist's name is revealed after purchase.

Q: Is there an entry fee to submit artwork?

A: No, however, Postcards From the Edge requires months of preparation, processing, and hard work to make it a success. Therefore any donation you can make will help cover overhead. Every dollar helps.

Q: Will the artist learn who bought their artwork?

A: Yes, artists will be be contacted by post or e-mail 4-6 weeks after the event regarding sales and collector information.

Q: What happens to unsold artworks?

A: The artist should indicate on the submission form whether they would like their unsold work return to them, or donate it to Visual AIDS. Returned work will be sent back by mail 4-6 weeks after the event.

Q: Do you ever need volunteers for the event?
A: Yes, please contact us at [email protected]

Q: What does Visual AIDS do and how are the proceeds used

A: All proceeds benefit the programs of Visual AIDS. Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over. Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to HIV prevention and AIDS awareness through producing and presenting visual art projects, while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement.

Past Postcards From the Edge artists include: Vito Acconci, Dennis Adams, Ricci Albenda, Meredith Allen, Jose Alvarez, Emma Amos, Carl Andre, Polly Apfelbaum, Ida Applebroog, David Armstrong, Dotty Attie, Alice Aycock, Aziz + Cucher, Donald Baechler, John Baldessari, Burt Barr, Lynda Barry, Barton Lidice Benes, Lyndia Benglis, Peter Berlin, Katherine Bernhardt, Nayland Blake, Ross Bleckner, Louise Bourgeois, Mark Bradford, Nancy Brooks Brody, AA Bronson, Robert Buck, Matthew Buckingham, Nancy Burson, Paul Chan, Patty Chang, Aaron Cobbett, Greg Colson, Renee Cox, Moyra Davey, Kim Dingle, John Dugdale, Angela Dufresne, Sam Durant, Marcel Dzama, Frank Egloff, Nicole Eisenman, Joy Episalla, Mitch Epstein, John Evans, Neil Farber, Tony Feher, Angelo Filomeno, Karen Finley, Louise Fishman, Flechemuller, Robert Flynt, Tom Friedman, Adam Fuss, Joy Garnett, Jeff Gauntt, Luis Gispert, Judy Glantzman, Milton Glaser, Robert Gober, Anthony Goicolea, Nan Goldin, Leon Golub, Maria Elena Gonzalez, Joanne Greenbaum, Hans Haacke, Ann Hamilton, Jane Hammond, Erik Hanson, Lyle Ashton Harris, Karen Heagle, Mary Heilmann, Geoffrey Hendricks, Arturo Herrera, Matthias Herrmann, Jim Hodges, Elizabeth Huey, Scott Hug, David Humphrey, Scott Hunt, James Hyde, Alfredo Jaar, Emily Jacir, Bill Jacobson, Xylor Jane, Bill Jensen, Chris Johanson, Joan Jonas, Michael Joo, Miranda July, Nina Katchadourian, John Kelly, Brian Kenny, Terence Koh, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Julian LaVerdiere, Louise Lawler, Cary Leibowitz, Charles LeDray, Zoe Leonard, Sol LeWitt, Glenn Ligon, Robert Longo, Whitfield Lovell, Lovett/Codagnone, Vera Lutter, Giles Lyon, McDermott & McGough, Christian Marclay, Kerry James Marshall, Barry McGee, Julie Mehretu, Robert Melee, Lucas Michael, Marilyn Minter, Mary Miss, Donald Moffett, Slava Mogutin, Frank Moore, Carrie Moyer, Matt Mullican, Vik Muniz, ElizabethMurray, James Nares, Alice O'Malley, Robin O'Neil, Yoko Ono, Catherine Opie, Dennis Oppenheim, Tom Otterness, Tony Oursler, Hermes Payrhuber, Ed Paschke, Sheila Pepe, Paul Pfeiffer, Jack Pierson, William Pope L., Richard Prince, Ernesto Pujol, Paul Henry Ramirez, Jessica Rankin, Erwin Redl, Richard Renaldi, Eric Rhein, Dorothea Rockburne, Tim Rollins + KOS, Kay Rosen, Sterling Ruby, Ed Ruscha, Betye Saar, Tom Sachs, Carolee Schneemann, Gary Schneider, Collier Schorr, Dana Schutz, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Joel Shapiro, Jim Shaw, Mark Sheinkman, Kate Shepherd, Cindy Sherman, Amy Sillman, Tom Slaughter, Kiki Smith, Nancy Spero, Annie Sprinkle, Stuart Sandford, Pat Steir, Billy Sullivan, Sarah Sze, Philip Taaffe, Barbara Takenaga, Steed Taylor, Rirkrit Tiravanija, George Towne, Scott Treleaven, Spencer Tunick, Richard Tuttle, Penelope Umbrico, Bill Viola, Kara Walker, John Waters, Carrie Mae Weems, William Wegman, Lawrence Weiner, Matthew Weinstein, Tom Wesselman, Fred Wilson, Millie Wilson, Rob Wynne, Lynne Yamamoto, Carrie Yamaoka, O Zangand many, many others ...