Something beautiful out of something ugly

As many of you know on June 15th, after the seventh hockey game for the Stanley cup finals ended, a violent riot broke out in downtown Vancouver, with millions of dollars of damage to vehicles and buildings. However, even from the thick of these dark vibes, a new light was able to emerge. Along with all of the loving and dedicated volunteers who came downtown to clean up the aftermath, people began to write, draw and paint on all the wood on the boarded up windows. Sending out these little images and messages of love and connection at a time when the city felt frayed, frightened and angry, it brought a sense of togetherness and strength.

We here at Vancouver Papergirl wanted to share some of these images with you. This is how art and especially street art can bring people together and make the world a better place.

We've got talent!

So one of our lovely volunteers was out and about and took some artful photos of this beautiful city and we want to share them, so here ya go! Yay bikes!

Lookin' for some fun art events this weekend? Look no further!

We here at Vancouver Papergirl like to give you the down low whenever we can on fun stuff to do, and this weekend is literally jam packed!

On this weekend's agenda we have:

- Mini Maker Fair: Saturday June 25 until Sunday, June 26 from 2011 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm is a "two-day celebration of making and creating. It’s an all-ages family festival promoting the ethos of DIY on a large scale. Vancouver Mini Maker Faire will take you through an inspiring, energetic and captivating range of exhibits, including workshops, performances, displays, and a speaker series". You could make some neat Papergirl submissions here and get some excellent inspiration from other members of the artistic community!

- Critical Mass: Friday 24th - 5:30 pm-8:30pm Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street is a "grassroots reclamation of public space -- a bike ride and skate -- held the last Friday of every month. You are invited to enjoy the safety and comfort in the car-free space that we create by simply riding together! Bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates, self propelled couches, and any other form of human powered locomotion are all welcomed!" Yay bikes! We love pedal power!

- The Cheaper Show: Saturday June 25, 6pm-midnight at 188 Kingsway Street 400 Pieces of Art, $200 Each, 3 Piece Limit per/person. These are some of the artist profiles and it looks like there will be tons of amazing art! What an amazing way to make art more accessible!

-- Portobello Market: Sunday June 26th 11am to 5pm at the Creekside Community Centre is a great place to find local artists designs for clothing, jewellery, bags and art. This market is run by a non-profit society and any income generated goes back to operational costs and events for the market. Only a $2 admission for the public (children 12 and under get in free!)

If you head out to any of these fun events look around for some of the Papergirl stewards handing out our beautiful new postcards! And keep those submissions coming in!

And street art from around the world!

A member of our Papergirl team spent some time in Prague recently and took some excellent shots of some very lovely street art there. Check it out!

More street art from our beautiful Vancouver!

We want to show off all the fantastic talent we have in this fair city so here another dose of street art from Vancouver! This beauties are located on Commercial drive near Hastings:

Papergirl at Car-Free day!!

This Sunday Papergirl Vancouver hit the streets to spread the word and love of art. At the Car-Free event on Commercial drive we joined forces with Ann of Free Space, who made a collaborative mobile out of bike parts under the motto Change and Hope.

Participants were invited to make notes or symbols (public or private), expressing things they want to change or things they are hoping for, to hang from the painted bike wheels. The mobile is going to be installed on Commercial Drive as a community art installation. Gotta love mixing art and bicycles!

Here are some photos for you:

Seeing is Believing!

Wow well thanks for staying tuned for our new submissions! Here is a taste of some of the beautiful pieces we have received:

artist: neromonga, Berlin

artist: Cactus, Istanbul

artist: Mustafa Hacalaki, Montreal

artist: Biennale, Vancouver

We love what we are seeing and now we want to see more! Don't be shy, pick up that paintbrush, pencil or scissors and glue and send in your own submission! Can't wait to see all the lovely things you talented folks can create!

Also don't forget that you can use anything, even stuff from existing sketchbooks, prints of published work, whatever you have on hand already! You don't have to make new artwork specifically for Papergirl, you can recycle anything you have hiding under your bed in the dark ;) So bring your hidden work into the light and give it a worthy home!

we love parcels!

Look at what arrived today! Our posters and postcards!!
So excited to see them live and in colour! GO Papergirl!

Well what can I submit?

We thought you might be asking yourself this question, so we figured we should give you the low down on what kind of submissions we are looking for. So here is a little run down of what you can send in!

ANYTHING! Okay so not anything, but there is a quite a broad range of things that would work here. Pretty much as long as we can roll it up, we will accept it. The only size requirement is that it be no more than a meter long on it's shortest side.

We will accept:
-drawings
-sketches
-paintings
-comics
-fabric
-photos
-tiny books
-origami
-mixed media collages
-stuff covered in glitter
-anything!

Also it doesn't need to be the original artwork, we will totally accept prints of original work that you have done! The sky is the limit and this list is by no means exhaustive, so if something isn't mentioned here but you can roll it up we want it! Let your creative side take charge and see what you come up with!

There are a few rules (We know, BORING, but somewhat necessary...)

deadline for entries: August 15, 2011

personal drop-offs: possible during regular Roundhouse Community Centre hours

via snail mail: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre
c/o Brenda Racanelli / Alix Büngener
181 Roundhouse Mews
Vancouver B.C.

Oh yeah and please bring a signed copy of this Submission Form

If you have any questions please email us at vancouver.papergirl@gmail.com

Lets make some beautiful art people!

Hello Vancouver, You've Got Some Neat Street Art!!

Posting some more street art photos to inspire you!

Lions Gate Bridge

We are lucky have such talented artists in this city!

Vancouver Skytrain

Race for Space

Lets share our art!

Vancouver Draw Down

Hello Papergirl Fans!

As I am sure everyone is at the edge of their seats to see what kinds of awesome art is being submitted you should know there have been new submissions from Berlin so check out the sweet new pics!

Keeping you in the know we also have another event recommendation for you, the Vancouver Draw Down happens tomorrow at the Roundhouse! Come to the Roundhouse on June 8th any time between 10 am - 8 pm for the Vancouver Draw Down Creature Marathon! It's FREE and open to the public. Come for a few minutes or a few hours! Hundreds of creature drawings will be created as collaborative pieces that need at least three contributors. No drawing skills or experience needed, this is a great opportunity to be creative and meet some like minded folks! Plus they are bringing the supplies so all you need to bring is yourself and your sense of adventure!

Check out their Website

or!

their Facebook Page

for more info!

Come and draw with us! We would love to feature your work in our Papergirl Exhibit!


Also I thought we might all like to look at some street art from Vancouver to get us in the mood, and using the magic of Google images I will be posting some pics and links to help inspire ideas for Papergirl!

Here is one with birds, mostly because I love birds... and it's very pretty!

Pretty Birds!

Lets make some beautiful art people!

Cathedral Forest in beautiful BC

today's 30 days submission