The Woods. Exhibition: Sam Robertson is having his first solo show, exhibiting his Graffiti inspired artwork and t-shirts. Opening Night: Saturday 4 February. 7-10pm Exhibition period: until 4 March. Wed-Sun. 10-4.
ARThive: Its Only Madness. HOLY SARDINES! Exhibition featuring 20 painted portraits of Batman villians by artist Grant Hunter
“I really like Batman so I will be unveiling paintings of various Batman villains, including The Joker, Mister Freeze, Penguin, Killer Croc, Two-Face, Clock King, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Clayface, The Riddler, Bane, Crazy Quilt, Calendar Man, Zsasz, Scarecrow, Ventriloquist, Ra’s Al Ghul, and Manbat. I’ve been working on these on-and-off in my studio for about a year, but the time has come to quit faffing about and just show them to people. So if you like Batman too and wanna have a look at them, come and i’ll put on a spread of fizzy drinks and lollies and maybe put Prince’s soundtrack to Batman ‘89 on the stereo.” ARThive, Upstairs 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St) Opening Sunday 5 February. 2-5pm. Exhibition runs until 25 February. More on Facebook.
The Roost “Totally 90’s” exhibition is bringing everything good/bad about the 1990’s back to the Roost for just one night! They’ve gathered designers, illustrators and photographers to create a reaction to the decade that was… the 90’s. So bring yourself, your friends and anyone else you can find, they’re gonna celebrate like it’s 1999! Submissions accepted until 8 Feb. Opening night: Friday 10 February. 7.30-10.30pm. 591 Hunter St Newcastle. More on Facebook
OdditoriumPop up shop: Come and shop while you bop at Chinos Bar – Newcastles new awesomely decked out dive bar. Odditorium stall with Vintage & Records. Enjoy vinyl pickings from Prince of the Rodeo
Get ready to Rock to The Motherlode + The Nugs. Cnr Hunter & Denison Sts Newcastle. Sunday 26 February. 3 pm till late. More on Facebook.
Hot off the Neon Zoo desk is the launch of the The Bistro Rebrand. These Renewers were recently asked by the new owners of The Bistro on Darby St to rebrand the iconic Newcastle restaurant. The brief was to show the change that can be expected and to set the scene for ‘modern day comfort food, the food their chefs love to share & cook’. The new logo and branding can be seen on the menus and signage and has been well received to date. As part of their ‘research’ Neon Zoo have tried many of their tasty treats and can highly recommend that you treat yourself to a meal at The Bistro soon. Visit Neon Zoo gallery online.
In store
Little Papercup get a bit cheeky for Valentine’s Day with an adults only Crafternoon: Naughty&Nice. Come & make a cheeky card for your better half. Guy & Girls welcome! Costs $10 which includes materials & refreshments. Thursday 9 February. 6-8pm. Shop 18/19 Market Square Hunter St Mall (Food Court Level, opposite Rivers). Bookings essential: hello@littlepapercup.com.au. More on Facebook
Odditorium Vintage & Portrait ParlourNew Instore Feburary: a collection of retro inspired artworks by Tom Kearney. New 70s style handmade leatherwork: beautifully handcrafted wallets belts coinpurses and lighter cases by Baz. Handmade Lampshades by Viva La Lampe: funky lamps and shades made with upcycled vintage and retro fabrics. Basement, 14 Thorn St Newcastle.
Renew Newcastle has engaged a Property Co-ordinator to ramp up its search for new properties to activate under the initiative, and is expecting that more space will become available in early 2012.
We are now accepting Project Proposals from people who have ideas of how they will activate the city using temporary spaces for their arts, creative or community project.
Application period: 20 December 2011 – 31 January 2012
Deadline: for proposals & receipt of Support Materials 31 January 2012
Meet to discuss: appointments available 11-30 January 2012
We are especially interested in hearing from people with projects which:
-will suit the scale of larger retail spaces
-have a distinct flavour which is different to the retail we are already doing (see current Projects)
-are destinational or specialised retail or gallery (not dependent on walk-by traffic)
-bring teams or clusters of creative professionals or artisans together in co-located working environments
-can be co-located
Previous applicants are encouraged to refresh their applications with us, to let us know that they are still available and interested in participating in the initiative
All information on how to APPLY and how to make an APPOINTMENT to discuss your idea or your application is on the Get Involved page of this website.
Genius pop-culture portraitist and one half of The Woods Sophia Flegg launches her clothing label Crooked Teeth Club this week, just in time for last minute Christmas gifting.
On launch night Crooked Teeth Club is releasing a line of hand dyed and painted one-off, unisex t- shirts. Think over-size and impossible neons. The launch sees The Woods' stripped of it’s regular vintage pieces and art works which will be replaced with a monochrome face, decorated with vivid colour pops of spray painted found objects.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Fursday Follies Dj: Fenton K Bonez and live music by Triple J Unearthed winners: The Owls. See more about the event on facebook.
Thurs 22 Dec, 7-10pm. 100a King St, Newcastle.
Little Papercup Chrissy Mingle
Take 5 from your last minute running arounds at a VIP Chrissy Mingle during Mall late night shopping at Little Papercup. Jo and Fran are cracking open the bubbly for any of their customers and LIKERS on facebook this Thursday night, and there’ll be a lucky door prize. RSVP for the event on facebook.
Thurs 22 Dec, 5-10pm. Shop 18/19 Hunter St Mall, Up the escalators.
Renew Newcastle participant Stuart McBratney has just shot a tv series in Russia and Ukraine for his company McBrat TV, based at The Clinic on King Street. “Back in the Soviet Bloc” is hosted by Ukrainian-born Novocastrian Julia Nalivaiko, and is about the life, culture, people and food of former Soviet nations.
They’ve now launched a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter to raise funds to finish the production as they begin reducing 57 hours of footage into a 4-part tv series. Backers who make a financial pledge to their project receive rewards, ranging from dvds and coffee table books, to lavish Russian feasts and filmmaking masterclasses.
They have just 30 days left to reach their fundraising target of $25,000, so the clock’s ticking! Visit their Kickstarter page to pre-order yourself some goodies, and help complete an epic, exciting project. Investment in a local art project would make a great Christmas gift!
Update Jan 23: They didn’t make their $25,000 target so they’ve tried again for $5,000 to get the project started. You can pledge here.
View their trailer and check out the rewards here.
Read more about Stu and his creative inspirations in this recent interview on Aloud. with blogger Laure De Vaugelas.
This festive season Renew Newcastle is celebrating hand-made crafts and local ingenuity – celebrate your loved ones by filling your Christmas stockings with the kind of unique gifts that have been made right here in Newcastle.
We’ve lined up a super special Saturday shopping afternoon at the Renew Newcastle shops and galleries, with entertainment, Santa photos, drinkies and tasty treats on offer while we introduce you to fabulous local makers.
If you are keen to visit all the spaces, a free guided walking tour of Renew Newcastle shops and galleries starts 2pm at Renew HQ 3 Morgan St, Newcastle (just past the One Penny Black cafe). There’ll be bowls of our trademark festive punch – bring your own drinking glass so you can keep topped up with refreshments along the way.
What’s on Saturday 10 December:
ARThive artist run gallery is hosting a live art event by Steven Nuttall aka OX KING. Plus the gallery will be showing very affordable work by Sarah Mould, Rose Turner, Eddie Botha, Grant Hunter, Logan Knight, Emily Mitchell, Jessica Louttit, Elizabeth Nagy and more.
12-5pm, Upstairs 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St).
Make Space “Naughty & Nice” afternoon – come meet the elves of Make Space and pick their brains! Free ‘secret makers business’ advice. Cold beers + ‘Brandy Breath’ Christmas Cake. ‘Blow up Santa!’ inflatable costumes – BYO camera + friends, have some laughs with a DIY Santa photo. Don’t shout or pout or cry cause I’ll tell you why: there’s enough fishnet fillers instore of hand made goodness for friends and family to sink a sleigh. 11-3pm, Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall.
Where you can create your own pretty Christmas gift wrap, tags, cards and tree decorations.
Craft table is suitable for all ages, but children need to be supervised.
Showing a range of exquisite Newcastle, Hunter and Australia wide landscape photography – perfect gift to show off your hometown to the rellos or holiday visitors.
11am-3pm, Shop 21b Market Sq, Hunter St Mall.
Bird House is showing off new works by illustrators and crafty types with a particular fancy for upcycling and creative reuse of materials. Complimented from 2-4pm with special wine tastings from Logan & Gingle Mill – a boutique winery from Nat & Mim’s home town, Mudgee.
Join us for Punch & BBQ to celebrate summer & the festive season. Summer Santa free photobooth and light entertainment.
11-4pm, Basement, 14 Thorn St.
Tipsy Orchestra “Farewell” sale – sadly the Tipsy wonderland is closing this month, so Rhea can take time studying to learn more about the tailors' trade. Good news is there are bargains to be had as she downsizes stock. Bargain rummage for your festival frocks and Christmas party outfit to the blues wailings of Austin Busch solo.