Ed Varney has curated and produced more than 50 Mail Art projects and exhibitions over the years. From catalogues and essays to international collaborations, his projects showcase both his own work and the creativity of artists from around the world.

Mail Art Projects

2020–2022 – DADA Magazine. 5 issues of the magazine, Number 9 to 13, founded by Tristan Tzara in 1916. Edited by Ed Varney. All artwork appearing in the magazine has been saved. Back issues and artwork as an exhibition available.

2013 – Mayworks Mail Art, curated by Ed Varney. Nanaimo Art Gallery, Nanaimo, BC, May 1 to 26. 202 artists from 31 countries. Catalog and entire exhibition available.

2011 – Mayworks ’11: Mail Art Exhibition, curated by Ed Varney. Zocalo, Courtenay, BC, May 11 to 29. 142 artist contributors from 21 countries. Various sizes, mediums, and formats on the subject of “work.” Catalog and entire exhibition available.

2009–2011 – Mail Art Olympix, curated by Ed Varney. Multiple venues: Comox Valley Art Gallery (2009), Penticton Art Gallery (2010), Havana Gallery (2010), Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery (2010), Oceanside Arts Council Gallery (2011), Art Gallery of Swift Current (2011). Over 800 artworks from 335 artists in 41 countries. Artists contributed in 3 categories: Self Portraits, Artistamps, and Manifestos. Catalog and entire exhibition available.

2009 – Mayworks ’09: Mail Art Exhibition, curated by Ed Varney. Cunningham Ford Gallery, Parksville, BC, May 1 to 31. 152 artist contributors from 27 countries. Various sizes, formats, and mediums. Catalog available.

2008 – Mayworks ’08: Mail Art Exhibition, curated by Ed Varney. Arrowsmith Gallery, Parksville, BC, May 2 to 31. 184 artist contributors from 27 countries. Mail art in different sizes, formats, and mediums on the subject of work. Catalog available.

2007 – Mayworks ’07: Original Postcard Show, curated by Ed Varney. Arrowsmith Gallery, Parksville, BC, May 1 to 30. 190 artist contributors from 28 countries. Artists were asked to send postcards on the theme of work. At the end of the show, each artist was sent a postcard by a different artist. Catalog available.

2006 – Mayworks ’06: Artist Trading Card Exhibition and Event, curated by Ed Varney. Arrowsmith Gallery, Parksville, BC, May 1 to 28. 124 artist contributors from 13 countries. Work submitted in ATC format on the subject of work. All works were traded between artists. Catalog available.

2004–2005 – Order from Chaos, curated by Ed Varney and gallery visitors. Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, Sechelt, BC (Sept 10–Oct 5, 2004), and Oceanside Gallery, Parksville, BC (Aug 5–30, 2005). Visitors to the gallery selected works to display. Catalog available.

2003 – The Human Image in the Landscape, curated by Ed Varney and Trish Mitchell. Artropolis, CBC Studios, Vancouver, BC, May 16 to June 8. 331 artist contributors from BC. A sheet of 30 stamps was created. Catalog and sheet available.

2002 – Lunar Madness: Last Man on the Moon Commemorative Project, curated by Ed Varney. Courtenay and District Museum, Courtenay, BC, December. 167 artist contributors from 36 countries. No catalog. Entire exhibition available.

2001 – Self Portrait Show, curated by Ed Varney and Famous Empty Sky. Artropolis, CBC Studios, Vancouver, BC, October 2001. 505 BC artists contributed self-portraits. Catalog available.

1999–2000 – Art and Artists of the 20th Century, curated by Ed Varney. Comox Valley Art Gallery (Jan–Feb 1999), Vancouver East Cultural Centre Gallery (Oct–Dec 1999), Sunshine Coast Arts Centre (Jan 2000), Gallery at Artisan’s Square (Feb–Mar 2000). 229 artist contributors from 17 countries. Catalog available.

1999 – Cut and Paste: Collage in Vancouver, curated by Ed Varney. Atrium Public Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Jan 11 to Feb 6. Featuring 19 Vancouver artists. Catalog available.

1999 – Artistamp News #11, edited and published by Ed Varney. 5 articles plus reviews and images of 233 artistamp sheets by 60 artists from 18 countries. End of project. Issue and all sheets available.

1998 – Artistamp News #10, edited and published by Ed Varney. 10 articles plus reviews and images of 238 artistamp sheets by 82 artists from 16 countries. Issue and sheets available.

1997 – Artistamp News #9, edited and published by Ed Varney. 7 articles, profiles, reviews, and images of 96 artistamp sheets by 77 artists from 20 countries. Took over from Anna Banana. Issue and all sheets available.

1995 – Library Square Artistamp Project. 59 Vancouver artists submitted designs for a sheet of artistamps to commemorate the opening of the new Vancouver Library. 30 designs were selected. Catalog, originals, and stamp sheet available.

1994 – First Man on the Moon 25th Anniversary Mail Art Exhibition, curated by Ed Varney. Big Red Dot, Vancouver, BC, July 20 to 23. 302 contributors from 36 countries. Catalog and artistamp sheets available.

1993 – The Artropolis Artistamp Project, curated by Ed Varney. Artropolis 93, Vancouver, BC, October. Artists given a template; 2 sheets printed in the Vancouver Sun. Originals and stamps available.

1993 – The Canadada Elvis Stamp Exhibition, curated by Ed Varney. Smash Gallery of Modern Art, Vancouver, BC, January 8. 125 contributors from 16 countries. Catalog and 3 stamp sheets available.

1991 – Boulevard Collaboration. Collaboration between Boulevard magazine and Ed Varney. 13 local artists created 16 stamps. Originals lost. Stamp sheet available.

1990–1991 – Spaceship Earth, curated by Ed Varney and Herb Gilbert. Concourse Gallery, Vancouver (1990) and Mount Pleasant Community Centre (1991). 222 artists from 31 countries. Catalog and stamp sheet available.

1988 – The Mona Lisa Show, curated by Ed Varney and Donna Hagerman. Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC. 250 contributors from 30 countries. Catalog and artistamp sheet available.

1985 – First Heartbreak Hotel Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Mail Art Show, curated by Ed Varney and Donna Hagerman. Pitt International Galleries, Vancouver, BC, Feb 14–28. 251 contributors from 20 countries. Catalog available.

1984 – Global Postale 84 Mail Art Project, curated by Ed Varney. 125 contributors from 22 countries. Produced as 5 sheets of perforated stamps. Stamp sheets available.

1983 – Heaven and Hell Mail Art Project, curated by Ed Varney. The October Show, Vancouver, BC, Oct 15–29. 116 contributors from 18 countries. Entire exhibition available.

1976 – First International Artistamp Project, curated by Ed Varney. 7 contributors from 4 countries. Produced as a sheet of 20 stamps. Stamp sheet available.