Within Papergirl Vancouver vocabulary, there is one word we try to avoid: free. More specifically, we never describe the art we receive and give out as "free art." The reason being that whenever you or I say something is "free," we place it on a ladder of monetary cost. A flight to Mars is near the top and free swag is near the bottom. Think buy 1, get 1 free deals, or pens you swipe from promotional booths at trade shows and conferences then promptly lose. Part of the aim of Papergirl Vancouver is to take art out of the monetary mindset - at least for our purposes - and to see it in a different light, a light many of us might not be used to. One that asks not, "How much was it?", but to open up a dialogue about the art you keep: "That's beautiful. I love the detail/colour/form. Who made it? What's it made of?" And when people ask, "Where did you get that?", we hope you'll say, "Someone gave it to me." Because this is what Papergirl Vancouver is about: the giving and receiving of art. And so many people want to give so much. Since our call-out for art in April, we've received so many gestures of generosity. Artists who signed up for our artist interview series, sharing their creative experience with the GVRD community. Our partnerships with Place des Arts and Draw By Night. Donations from Opus for our workshops in June. The utterly amazing owner of Bird on a Wire, Karen Unger-Strickland, who has donated her storefront window for the entire month of July to Papergirl artists. These gifts are immense. And, of course, to the people who are the core of everything we do: to the artists who send their work in from Canada, Mexico, Finland, and beyond; to my incredible fellow volunteers who put hours and hours of effort to connect Vancouverites to one another; and to all of you who get excited, who come to our events, who spread the word. Thank you so much to everyone who's participated so far and to everyone who will join in the coming months. (We're looking for cyclists, by the by.) In August, we will give all this art away -- and it is a gift, one that comes with no monetary strings attached, and only the weight of love. The price? To receive with joy, respect and gratitude for the kindness of strangers. And perhaps -- if you're willing -- a promise to pay it forward.
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