Papergirl hosted a few events. There was the big exhibition showing all the paper items that were sent in. There were two bike bling making workshops then there was the actual ride. The first workshop included some screen printing. All the flags and bibs were made in this workshop.  I went to the following one, where the goal was to sure that there were baskets to attach to the bikes and some handle bar streamers and flags and other decorations ready to go for the big ride on the weekend.  Papergirl had a lot of different craft supplies and the bling that was made was a big hit. All the baskets were claimed early on and put to good use holding all the works for delivery. These are the only crappy cell phone images I have from the work hours.
A big group of people showed up on Saturday to decorate their bikes then deliver the donated Papergirl works around central Calgary. We were a motley crew and many people had smiles on their faces after getting their works.  I even managed to gift a piece to someone in a convertible on McLeod Trail while we were waiting at a red light! I stuck with my bike buddies so none of us got lost!
   Fun facts and numbers:
- 550 works of art were submitted & exhibited
- 140+ artists contributed to the project
- Submissions from 13 Canadian cities and 5 Canadian Provinces
- Additional submissions from 13 countries around the world and 18 international cities
- The smallest work submitted was 8cm x 12cm and the largest work was 1 metre by 1.6metres
- A team of 19 Papergirls and Paperboys distributed 200 art rollsÂ
- A core team of 3 volunteers & a project manager lead the project
- 3 workshops stellar workshops were completed with attendance of 25+ people
- Some excited artists loved this project so much that they submitted multiple prints, upwards of 30 pieces!
- The submission age range was incredibly diverse: from 8 year old budding artists, to high school students, to university artists from ACAD and UofC Fine Arts, to established Calgary artists, and ACAD alumni, and veteran artists all the way into their early 70’s.
- Types of media: oil painting, illustration, watercolour, collage, conceptual & new media work, prints, embroidered paper, and so much more!
- Best fact of all? During the ride out Papergirls and Paperboys were gifted with hundreds of smiles, thanks, hugs and cheers as they distributed art. One person was so overwhelmed that they teared up, they simply loved the work that they were given!Papergirl Calgary Roll-Up, Ride-Out, & Delivery: A Giftervention all about the art of giving art.Â
Photos by Papergirl Calgary and me.
When did this happen? Saturday August 18, 2012.
