Papergirl is coming to Manchester. Papergirl is an art project from Berlin where in the style of American paper-boys, rolled art pieces will be distributed by bicycle in the streets of Manchester to random passers-by. You can submit as many pieces or copies as you like before 1st September.

But what are you going to submit? Here’s our essential guide to Manchester.

Start the day off with some breakfast at Koffee Pot.  The art maybe on the shutters but the food is good and you’ll need bags of energy for the day ahead
[Koffee Pot, 21 Hilton Street, Stevenson Square,Northern Quarter, M1 1JJ]

Pop round the corner to Magma to indulge in international design magazines and books. Check out Papergirl Berlin in Urban Interventions, featuring 256 pages of personal projects in public spaces.  Try to resist spending a month’s wages on books and t-shirts. Instead opt for an issue of boneshaker magazine, full or articles, stories and anecdotes about people doing great things with bicycles (look out for issue 3 in October).  Don’t forget to pick up a free copy of Article magazine on the way out – made in Sheffield, Article features art, design, music and urbanism.[Magma Books, 22 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 1JN]

Further down Oldham Street you’ll find Mooch N4, a small gallery representing some of the best emerging street artists. Their current show ‘Natural Selection’ is a series of work on canvas and pieces of salvaged wood, by Sheffield based Faunagraphic and Rocket01. The exhibition closes on Saturday 14th of August. Pop round for a brew and a chat Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm.
[Mooch N4, 88 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, M4 1LF]

Check out Papergirl Manchester artist TXLW exhibition at the Chinese Arts Centre. TXLW describes her work as evolving, endearing, sporadic and predominantly image based. Notes to Self visitors are invited to write a note to self and place it in a TXLW bird box. Pick up a TXLW handscreened notebook with recycled paper whilst your there.
[Chinese Arts Centre, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester,M4 1EU]

Now you’ve found your inspiration head down to Fred Aldous to pick up some materials. Established in 1886, you’ll find everything you need to turn your ideas into art.
[Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1LW]

So your pockets are busting with art materials and you could probably do with re-fuelling. Go straight to Common for some food*, drink, art and music. Get out your sketchbook and start working on your Papergirl Manchester submission, whilst checking out the exhibition ‘An Apple A Day’ by DR ME.

*I recommend the veggie chilli.
[Common, 39 to 41 Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1HW]

It’s time to print your Papergirl Manchester submissions at Hot Bed Press, where the printmaking facilities cost just £2.00 per hour to members. Hot Bed Press is a not-for-profit open access print workshop, dedicated to supporting anyone with an interest in printmaking. Facilities include equipment for screen printing, etching, drypoint, collagraphs, relief printing and other related processes. They also host a series of courses and workshops.
[Hot Bed Press, Printmakers' Studio, 1st Floor, The Casket Works, Cow Lane, Salford, M5 4 NB]

Now you have created your Papergirl submission, drop it off at Nexus Art Café where you can enjoy some tea and cake, take a look at the latest installation and take part in the events from crafternoons to life drawing.
[Nexus Art Café, Dale Street, M1 1JW]

Now you have submitted your work to Papergirl Manchester await details of the upcoming exhibition and distribution. To find out more visit http://papergirlmanchester.tumblr.com/ 

Or join us on facebook or follow us on twitter.

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My Creative Scene is an insight into different creative & cultural happenings in cities where your members and readers live. Browse through more insider guides here or contact us to write about the arts scene where you are.

Wildlife is never too far away in the city, foxes a regular sighting late at night and in the early hours, enjoying their city as any other human resident.  Loads of green spaces to lay back in and contemplate nature, Leigh Woods for some hiking and spotting and biking.

I’ve been living in and out of Bristol since September 2004, firstly just to undertake a couple of weeks work experience at the NHU, kind of testing the water.  It didn’t take long to realise that Bristol had to become my home and thus started a living and working relationship with the city, mixed in with stretches of time abroad filming, long enough to move out.  I’ve had a very welcome return each time and still nowhere else tempts me to move elsewhere.

What I like about the city is that it’s compact… everything you want and need is within a walk or cycle, whichever area of the city you’re in.  Speaking of which, the city is the premiere cycling city in the country with routes around and out of the city, its amazing how far you can get just with 20 minutes of cycling.  The suburbs are seemingly endless and Bristol is a large city, but at the creative heart everything is just there.  When you want to get out of the city, you’re surrounded by countryside in every direction… Wales, Somerset, Devon, Gloucestershire… all easily accessible for weekends camping, surfing, cider sampling, wild swimming and mountain biking.

When you’re in the city, there are some great creative hubs to meet people… so many people on the same wavelength with projects going on all over the place.  When I’m in the city on the last Tuesday of the month it is a must to attend the Bristol Media Tuesday networking night.  This has been running for a number of years and it the monthly chance to make new contacts, and bump into old – not just in television but across the creative board… advertising, publishing, PR, digital, animation, composers, writers… always a different mix of people in the same place, just staying in touch with the scene over a friendly beer.

I live in Arnos Vale, which is the location of a grand old cemetery – very peaceful walks around some 50000 mostly derelict graves… slightly morbid but away from it all in the dead centre of the city.  Just down the road is one of my favourite meeting places: the Boca Bar, part of Paint Works – a once disused paint factory, which has been regenerated and converted into offices for creative companies and now a thriving business centre.  The Boca is the meeting spot for the large creative contingent which works from Paintworks on the Bath Road, just up the road from Temple Meads station.  Laid back, comfortable and good atmosphere, many a productive meeting and ideas writing sessions have happened here for me and I’m sure plenty of other creatives in this part of the city… And now they’ve finally gotten round to installing free WiFi, no better excuse to work with some coffee.

A lot of my time when not filming is spent networking and catching up with friends.  One of the regular catch up spots is The Windmill, in Windmill Hill next to Bedminster station.  Perfect opportunity to have a pie and pint with a friend, Hannah, who’s recently returned from one filming trip in Ethiopia only to be preparing to go away for another month away next week.  Each area of Bristol has its own thing going on and the Windmill is a place off the beaten track to have a good catch up.  Another regularly visited place for meetings and socialising is The Watershed on the Harbourside… go for the cinema, a coffee or a decent lunch plus regular host of many industry events.

I can’t think of anywhere else I’d like to lie and mix with people than here in Bristol… such a wealth of activity and creativity, there are opportunities freely available where you know to look.

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My Creative Scene is an insight into different creative & cultural happenings in cities where your members and readers live. Browse through more insider guides here or contact us to write about the arts scene where you are.