A postcard is set to put budding artists across Ireland on the map, it emerged today. An Post unveiled its plans to hold the country's biggest ever art exhibition with postcards designed by members of the public.
The 12-month programme - An Post C Both Sides - celebrates postcard design and the skill of handwriting.
Anyone can take part in the project who wants to make a personal statement depicting a favourite memory, a special place, someone important or even a secret.
The campaign begins in January with the theme Family Members and will be followed in February with Sports People; March, Health, Wellbeing and Caring; April, Travellers; May, Older People; June, Business People/Unemployed People; July, Prisoners; August, Migrants; September, Politicians; October, Education and Learning; November, Farming Community; December, Artists/Individuals.
Then throughout 2009 An Post will hold a country-wide exhibition of selected entries, recording and communicating to the public a time in Ireland's collective social history.
The project was initiated and curated by artists Teresa Doyle and Edel O'Reilly Flynn in association with Westmeath County Council.
"An Post's sponsorship allows the project to become a national and international venture," said Chief Executive Donal Connell.
"Both An Post and the artists who will continue to curate the project are gearing up for a massive response."
Postcards must be regular size and sent through the postal system and stamped. A design template is available on www.anpostcbothsides.ie
PA