POSTCARD ACTIVITY
Throughout history, people have sent letters or postcards to connect with friends or family members. Receiving a letter or a card could bring much anticipated news and needed comfort. We can see this in the Thomas Hart Benton lithograph, Letter from Overseas.
Sending a postcard is one way to show compassion to friends and family members we cannot visit. Postcards typically have a photograph or illustration on one side with room for a brief note and the mailing address on the other. Unlike letters, postcards do not require an envelope and are a simple way to brighten someone’s day and let them know how much you appreciate them.
Thomas Hart Benton, American (1889-1975). Letter from Overseas, 1943. Lithograph on paper, ed. 250, 9 1/2 x 13 1/8 inches. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bloch, F84-4/5.
What You’ll Need
- A recycled food box or heavy cardstock cut to 4.5 inches X 6 inches
- Construction paper scraps and/or magazines
- Printed photos or images that you draw
- Scissors and glue
- Markers or crayons
- Address of the person to whom you are sending the postcard
- Appropriate postage (your card may be thicker than a standard piece of cardstock or envelope)
Step One
First, gather your supplies and decide to whom you would like to send postcards. Be sure to think about the two parts of a postcard:
- An image or design for one side of the postcard
- A note to write on the other side
Step Two
Next, decide if you would like to start by designing the image side or by writing a note.
Remember to save space on the note side to write a mailing address and place a postcard stamp. If you need inspiration, explore our collections and focus on an interesting, new, or favorite piece.
#NelsonAtkinsPostCard
After you have finished creating your postcard, take a picture of your postcard’s image side and share it on social media with the hashtag #NelsonAtkinsPostCard.
