News

What's on - First Friday of the month - Friday 4 December [27.11.2009]

On the First Friday of the month in December (Friday 4th) the Renew Newcastle art and creative projects will host a collection of special events in the early evening 5 – 8pm. It’s a chance to meet the artists and see them at work, as well as experience the inner city in a different way after dark. You're invited to explore!

New Projects

Momentum Project is a collaborative visual project which is growing daily, developed by Design students from University of Newcastle and TAFE. Drop in anytime to see how it is developing, or join them for their Closing Party 5pm-8pm, Suite 40, 1st Floor Market Square (Up the escalator & follow the signs).

Red Lantern Night Market is a visual feast and festive playground for emerging artists showcasing their wares – perfect for unique and handmade Christmas gift shopping. From 4pm-9pm, each Friday night in December (4th, 11th, 18th ) the Whalebones in the East end of the Hunter St Mall will come alive with Market Stalls, Food and Live entertainment. From the people who brought you the Olive Tree Markets at the Junction.

Makespace moved out of their Renew Newcastle shopfront last month but we have found them a new Renew Newcastle home! Join them for their Opening Night Party in a new shop, 5pm-8pm at 19 Wolfe St (just off the Hunter St Mall, opposite David Jones)

The Hive Studios has three new artists sharing a studio space - David Hampton, Trine Deans and Rebecca Holmes. To celebrate their arrival, they are having a stall at the Red Lantern Night Market - Bec will selling paintings, while Trine and David have turned their hands to badge and brooch making. David has been drawing boats, trains and time machines, covering the results in shellac (water and hug proofing them) and attaching pins to the back. Trine has been hand-printing silk-screens of famous artists she has drawn onto plywood. Meet the artists, buy their work - until 9pm, in the Red Lantern Night Market stall area.

L!vesites Illuminated Sculptures are being made in a series of FREE workshops on Saturdays in November, under the direction of sculptor Ken O’Reagan. Join the artist and workshop participants for a grand illumination at 7.30pm, Shop 45 Hunter St Mall (opposite Sportsgirl)

If you would like to take your own walking tour of the new Renew Newcastle projects, you can download the new map here - or look for it in the window of any of the Renew Newcastle shopfronts.

New Exhibitions

Loop Space new exhibition opening night - Play 109 is an interactive sound, video and graffiti installation involving a floor-to-ceiling 16 channel stringed instrument and live visual feed from Hunter St Mall, which you can play. By Damian Castaldi & Solange Kershaw (sodacake) in collaboration with Neil Jenkins and the Amerg Collective. From 5pm, 109 Hunter St Mall

Totoro’s Tea House invite you to join their Circus with a new exhibition and live “acrobatic” entertainment performance. O, and Tea! Until 8pm, Shop 1, 111 Hunter St Mall

Arthive new exhibition sneak preview – Secret Santa involves a lucky-dip of small works by local artists, friends and makers. In the spirit of Christmas no money will change hands. With live experimental music collaboration. Until 8pm, Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (entrance off Morgan St)

Special Offers

Bird in the Hand Zine Shop will be hosting its first Letter Writing Club – all invited for tea and biscuits and a chance to take some old-fashioned letter writing time. At 6pm , 101a King St

Mad Hatter Millinery are hosting a demonstration to Make Your Own Fascinator – even if you aren’t a ‘hat person’ or aren’t going to the races you’ll have a perfect festive outfit for all the Christmas parties coming up! Workshop from 5.30pm - 6.30pm at Shop 18-19 Market Square Terrace Level

Shannon Hartigan Images & Framing will have a 20% Off everything Christmas Sale between 5pm-8pm at Shop 21 Market Square Terrace Level

Emerald Arts will hold a workshop on making your own watercolour dyed wrapping paper as well as a Pass the Parcel lucky dip. From 6.30pm, Shop 2 196 Hunter St Mall

Ciao Meow Gallery are staying open late for unique Christmas gift shopping, showing off some of their new ranges for summer: hand made Chrissie cards; elegant light cotton kaftans; and a range of mens t-shirts and photographs by Matt Streatfield. And, at 6pm they've organised The Dance Of Life women to gift a beautiful bellydance performance. Until 9pm, Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall.

Vox Cyclops is an independent record store and gallery 515 Hunter St. They are making a special guest appearance in the Mall area especially for the Market and First Friday - so if you are curious about what they do but have never made it up to Newcastle West to visit the shop, here's your chance. Until 9pm, in the Red Lantern Night Market stall area.

Special News

Alex from Surfhouse Photography moved out of her Renew Newcastle shopfront in October, but has now taken a commercial lease and is opening up a new shop just down the road. Congratulations Alex! Join Alex for her Opening Party from 5.30pm in her new premises at 61 Hunter St (btwn Bolton & Watt Sts, opposite The Lock-Up)

Partners

Our friends at L!vesites will be on location with some street performers to spice up the evening and offer up early Christmas presents in the unveiling of a light and sound installation near Wolfe St.

There'll be so much festive cheer, you won't know what to do with yourself!