In 1988 the idea of the IUOMA was born. In November 2008 this NING platform for IUOMA became the home for members

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three types of postcards, randomly distributed

Posted by Zeno Izen on October 30, 2026 at 10:00am 1 Comment

A lot of you have received one or more postcards from me. The near-daily issuance of postcards is just one arm of the mail art operation here, but it is the most visible and most widely distributed. I've written a few words about this facet of the project. I think that explaining the intent and ideas that I have about the postcards will make them a little bit more interesting, so I am posting this text here. This is the first draft.

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Postcards are a central…

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Andreas Kuntner 261029

Posted by Mikel Untzilla on October 30, 2026 at 8:55am 0 Comments

i received Mail Art from Lois Gil Margariños

Posted by Zack on October 29, 2026 at 3:54pm 0 Comments

this photo is begging to be re-created, don't you think? time for a convention.

i received Mail Art from Daniele de Magistris

Posted by Zack on October 29, 2026 at 3:51pm 0 Comments

such a cheery packet! just when i need it ];-)

after bonjour, there's Ed, magic, Dick, and a stick - who could ask for anything more?

but wait, there is more - as Daniele was recently in France, he included this card -…

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i received Mail Art from Mikel Untzilla

Posted by Zack on October 29, 2026 at 3:45pm 1 Comment

an invitation arrived, along with an ATC -

note the nautilus. gracias Mikel; see you in the…

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Fabienne Ruaut Lichet 261027

Posted by Mikel Untzilla on October 29, 2026 at 2:38pm 0 Comments

Mail from Heleen and Katerina in Athens arrived

Posted by Ruud Janssen on October 29, 2026 at 5:39am 1 Comment

Today a wonderful surprise arrived in Breda. 

An envelope with inside this foulded hand-made card with the typical style I know of both longtime correcspondents of mine. Also included a wonderful gift to keep IUOMA alive and well.…

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Incoming Mail from Pascal

Posted by Josofa on October 28, 2026 at 10:14pm 0 Comments

Love this postcard and the collage/collection of stamps and art on the address side.  I do have to say I am even more impressed by the mail system that got it to me.  I say this not as a slight toward Pascal but the name, PO Box and zip code were all incorrect and it still got to me which is pure magic.

Correct Address 

Josofa

PO Box 35308

North Chesterfield, VA 23235

USA…

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info IUOMA

Somehow people always think that if a group of artists work together that then there must automatically be some kind of organisation that coordinates it all. Well, in mail art there are many groups working together. These groups themselves also work together, but there is NO organisation that arranges all the things that go on in the mail art network. The I.U.O.M.A. is the Union that mail artists can become a member of. The Union has no rules. Everybody who is active in mail art and hears about the Union can become a member just by saying so.

In 1988 the idea of the IUOMA was born. I invented this name and made forms for people to become a member of this (fictive) union. About 300 mail artists reacted in a year, and official membership cards were made, even a official Union Magazine was published. Anybody who was a member of the Union could also claim a special function within the Union.

Even today, people still join the Union. And somehow it gives power, to say that YOU are a member of the International Union too.  It is just the center for archiving all the things that are going on. But I am not in control of the Union. I just invented it. And to make it official, I made myself General-President of this Union. Sure was impressive when I travelled to the USSR in 1991 and went to visit some friends there who were also members of this Union........

Today online on Ning there are thousands of members. On December 2nd 2018 the 5000th member joined in.

 

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Treah Pichette commented on Zeno Izen's blog post three types of postcards, randomly distributed
"This was really interesting & informative. Thanks for explaining it all to us. And it reminds me....I need to send you another postcard! :-)"
27 minutes ago
Zeno Izen posted a blog post

three types of postcards, randomly distributed

A lot of you have received one or more postcards from me. The near-daily issuance of postcards is just one arm of the mail art operation here, but it is the most visible and most widely distributed. I've written a few words about this facet of the…See More
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"Objects of Interest" Art Distribution Box::: Call for Contributions

Hello IUOMA compatriots! I am launching a community facing art project here in Albuquerque, NM USA and I'm asking for your…Continue

Started by Nick Tauro Jr in Mail-Art Projects 14 hours ago.

After Ray Johnson: Add (to) and Return To Mail Art Call 25 Replies

Call for ContributorsAFTER RAY JOHNSON MAIL ART PROJECT – INSTRUCTIONS/FAQHELLO!This is an invitation to participate in a mail art project dedicated to Ray Johnson, the founding father of mail art.ALTER OR ADD TO THE ENCLOSED COLLAGEI will send you…Continue

Tags: rayjohnson, mailart, exchange

Started by Rebecca T. in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by Mike Smith yesterday.

Good Art Pens? 90 Replies

What are your favorite pens to use in mail art?  I have a few good (sort of) ones for my regular-size collage work -- for applying lines, not for actually writing -- but they aren't turning out to be great for mail-art scale.  New ones for writing,…Continue

Tags: pen

Started by Nancy Bell Scott in Technical Details in Mail-Art. Last reply by Mike Smith yesterday.

Seeking Ongoing exchanges

Hi!  I am new here.I am a long time correspondence enthusiast, but have always exchanged with personal friends and folks I have met along the way.  I am the type of person who is compelled to respond/reply if I receive something and I am looking for…Continue

Tags: #exchange, #mailart, #newbie, #newfriends

Started by K Ruby Blume in Mail-Art Projects on Tuesday.

[offer] hidicards -- simple collage postcards (no exchange expected) 16 Replies

hello mail artists,during full-time caregiving seasons, i've made postcard-sized collages in spare moments. they are very simple, sometimes oddly composed--but they exist.all are made from found materials, and most include images of women.rather…Continue

Started by J S in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by K Ruby Blume on Tuesday.

Did anyone see this? Thoughts? 8 Replies

In Kolaj #42, “Bye Bye Mail Art” reflects on the global Mail Art movement and the fragile networks that have sustained it for decades. Rooted in the experimental spirit of Ray Johnson’s New York Correspondence School and Fluxus, Mail Art fostered…Continue

Started by Margaret Jeddry in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by Kit Gonzales Moore Oct 23.

OPEN CALL 2027 3 Replies

Instagram - L'État-Sauvage d'AmériqueExhibition : June to october 2027Deadline : 15 may 2027Theme : Between sea and skyFormat : 105 x 148 mm (A6)There is…Continue

Started by L'État-Sauvage d'Amérique in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by Ilya Semenenko-Basin Oct 15.

Memorial Ruggero Maggi 1950-2025 - Sandro Bongiani Arte Contemporanea

SANDRO BONGIANI ARTE CONTEMPORANEAMemorial Ruggero Maggi 1950-2025M.A.D - Mail Art Day  “Come un battito d’ali” a cura di Sandro Bongiani                                           PREVIEW: 9 e 10 ottobre 2026EVENTO: da venerdì 16 ottobre 2026 a…Continue

Tags: 2026, Memorial, Ruggero, Maggi

Started by Giovanni Bonanno in Mail-Art Projects Oct 15.

Mail Art as art therapy 10 Replies

People who have been harmed online are often expected to keep using digital spaces as though nothing happened. Cyberbullying attacks identity, erodes confidence, and leaves people hypervigilant in the very spaces they are expected to inhabit.  Most…Continue

Started by Kathryn Kennedy in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by Kathryn Kennedy Oct 11.

Copyright infringent 41 Replies

I noticed in various contributions, that many artists (''artists'' perhaps ?) are using large number of other's people works, taken from newspapers, magazines, books,etc. That could inflict the copyrights. In many cases, nobody will discuss it, and…Continue

Started by Predrag Petrovic in Mail-Art Projects. Last reply by Ana Oct 9.

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