"Giving something is most fun when you don't expect anything in return."

Papergirl collects all kinds of artwork from anywhere to be bundled up and distributed for free by bicycle. Drawings, photos, stickers, posters-one piece or several copies - it's all up to you! All contributions will be sorted and separated into bundles to be passed out, and each version will be an original!

A display of all the artwork will be held before the deliveries! The location will be announced soon. Anyone who wants to help deliver the art by bicycle can contact us

Deadline to turn in artwork is July 18, 2012!

Mail to: Po Box 634 East Moline, Illinois 61244.

Email us at: EcoartsCouncilqc@aol.com

 Papergirl Quad Cities Street Art Project

“When it comes to art, no one really reinvents the wheel. It simply gets customized. Art forms in itself have specific techniques that can be elaborated on. Certain art methods are skills...

...Artists like scientists, are observant and collect data. The distinguishing factor for artists is their perception and presentation style of interpreting what and how they see something and publicly sharing the introspective change from within that impact them. It is the journey and process they experience and share with others relating how they got to their product that gives uniqueness, creative revelation, and communal reaction, and hopefully engaging acceptance...

...As an artist and community-teaching artist, I believe anyone can learn how to create art and develop his or her creativity. I see a formula: Skill, perception, and product. It is in the perception that passion is born and the product is a gift in which we, as observers, engage... 

...With Papergirl Quad Cities, we are offering opportunities in which to engage“– Glorie Iaccarino.

About the founder and our inspiration

Berlin artist, Aisha Ronniger, had a pet project, PAPERGIRL, and it has been gaining worldwide interest and support. She started the project in 2005 when there was still debate about punishing wheatpasters the same way in which graffiti artists were punished; and although many Berliners saw it as a lesser crime, the police force was intent on cracking down on street art. This caught the attention of this artist and she began brainstorming about new ways to share expression. Ronniger thought about how to distribute art in public spaces and during her contemplation, a friend suggested she should be throwing her art around, like the paperboys in America. This idea sparked a revelation as she concluded that it would be fun and an easy way to distribute a diversity of great works of art on a larger scale. Hence, Papergirl was born!

Many years later, Ronniger and the inspired Papergirls and Paperboys from Berlin are still passionately collecting art and distributing the world wide contributions throughout the their streets. Participants ride their bikes, carrying rolls filled with collections of art, and handing out and even tossing them to lucky catchers on the street, or in their cars, and even other bikers.  People who might not normally be exposed to urban art are receiving a surprising gift and according to many artists, a greatly needed experience in order to birth an appreciation for art and possibly spark advocacy for art and expression.  A Papergirl USA project has launched as well and there are new projects sprouting up in over a dozen cities around the world and more recently our own Quad City area.

In the first year, the founding artist contacted artist friends and colleagues from school. The original core group of artists came from a street art background—people that were used to giving away their art for free and understood the pleasure of it. However, sometimes the word free implies a lesser value in particular cultures so other Papergirl organizers use the verbiage of an Art Gift. As more and more people coming from all over the world want to start a Papergirl project in their hometown too, originators decided they needed to work on a Papergirl World-Blog, to connect these people, and tell them how it works.

Papergirl Q & A’s

A Frequently asked question is, “Which artists contribute their work?”
This unique project is open for everyone! There is no jury process or official rules with limitations. It intends to show a wide range of works. It celebrates the diversity and creativity of people and their expression. Being that Papergirl comes from the streets, it is believed that the recipient decides what he/she likes!

Another question presented was, “What happens if someone asks for the artwork? Do you give it to them, or does it have to be a surprise?”

It should be a surprise as spontaneity heightens the excitement! The actual route of distribution is not even told as to support the surprise element. The unsuspecting people who receive a roll are simply lucky and that is something that cannot be bought. The distributors do not even get a roll. If someone is really interested in the artwork, then he/she can contact the artist through their website or Papergirl. There is am element of surprise as well when recipients take their work home and research online the artist only to pleasantly find out the value of their gifts.

A concerned observer asked, “What if they just throw the art away? Do people who receive the artwork through this event really understand the mission and appreciate the art?”
 
It is risk worth taking, but generally speaking, most people like something for free and we will suggest that they can “Re-gift” the art to someone else and pay it forward. For the most part, it is globally understandable that every culture has its own unique traditions about giving presents. The interesting and unusual aspect about Papergirl is that they give to people that they do not know and we do not ask for anything in return. The concept supports “The Art of Giving” – pleasure in generosity. 

Last Question: “What different ways can people get involved?”

·        Donate art

·        Become a Papergirl/Paperboy deliverer

·        Become a sponsor (host exhibit space, provide t-shirts, help with printing of local artworks and promotional flyers and posters, spread the word and connect with online, etc.)

Everyone has a skill or talent and we will find a way to utilize yours!

”The Success of our first Papergirl Quad Cities event will not be defined by the number of participants or artworks, but in the spirit of engaging our community; the generosity of artists, supporting art appreciation, and in the “Art of Giving” to unsuspecting recipients” – Glorie Iaccarino

PAPERGIRL

FACTS at a GLANCE

Papergirl is a global project that aims to open the art world into the urban streets of everyday life. It is an intervention seeking to surprise people and to heartily upturn the notable predictability of day-to-day life.

Berlin art student Aisha Ronniger began developing the project in 2006, and through her online documentation of the project, unwittingly inspired like-minded folk from around the globe into organizing a Papergirl project in their city.

Papergirl aspires to broaden the public consciousness of both local and global artists, and provide them with a wider, more liberal venue to exhibit their work.

The concept begins with an open call for art, welcoming anyone creatively minded to submit their drawings, paintings, screen prints, photographs, textiles, stickers, poems… anything that can be rolled up and transported with ease.

Art is collected, exhibited, and then distributed in mass to an unsuspecting public, via an atmospheric array of exuberant and ravishingly roadworthy enthusiasts on bicycles.

You don’t have to be a girl to be involved in Papergirl. If a blend of bicycles and art speak to you then get in touch to be a part of Quad Cities first Papergirl.

Papergirl is, in short: Participatory, analogue, non-commercial and impulsive.