The Deal Playing-card Project

Published July 03, 1996 Updated February 18, 2023

A deck of cards produced as a creative collaboration and made possible largely through volunteers and sponsorship of various kinds.

1996 USA No Name Exhibitions Collaborative

The DEAL Playing Card Project

Artwork for this "exhibition in a box" was donated by artists living in Minnesota, USA. The contributions, of various sizes and media, were exhibited at No Name Gallery and then sold at public auction in June 2000.  The deck of cards illustrated below was produced as a creative collaboration between No Name Exhibitions and Red Eye, and made possible largely through volunteers and sponsorship of various kinds.

The deck is really interesting to study - the variety of techniques and media - the styles of expression and design - lots of good ideas - all the works deserve to be seen in a gallery to be fully appreciated. The back features richly grained planks, a type of literal "deck".

Jack of spades by Chris Larson Queen of spades by Melba Price Four of diamonds by Colette Gaiter Eight of diamonds by Robert Perkins
Ace of clubs by Christine Baeumler Six of clubs by David Rathman King of hearts by Stacey Davidson Joker by Mo Donohue

52 cards, 2 jokers plus 2 extra cards in a plastic box, accompanied by a gallery guide containing facts, musings and notes about the artists.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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