We are proud as punch to be involved with an awesome little exhibition in Canberra called Murmur, showcasing graphic and fine art from students and staff at the University of Canberra. There’s an opening do tomorrow night (Thursday 17th) with live music, lots of pretty things to look at and limited edition prints, original art and other goodies for sale. But for the eager beavers who just cannot wait, the show is actually on from today, Wednesday 16th till Tuesday 22nd July at The Front Gallery and Cafe, Wattle Street, Lyneham. It’s gold coin entry and what’s more, all profits go to the uni’s graphic design graduate exhibition so merely turning up will make you a patron of the arts. Such cuteness in the capital!

Visionary local label Artechoke presents Made in Melbourne towards the end of this week, a celebration of Melbourne’s independent fashion and video art scene. Featuring 8 emerging street-wear designers, this not-for-profit runway show will include a first glimpse into Spring/Summer 2009. Featured designers are Artechoke (pictured below), Limedrop, Lenko, Rest in Peace, Who Am Eye, Kosi Kosi, Die Pretty and Serena van der Woodsen. All proceeds will be donated to the Reach Foundation, which helps young Australians fulfil their potential through interactive and experiential programs. Oh, what a good cause! Date: Thursday July 24th 2008. Location: Order of Melbourne, Level 2/401 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000. Time: Doors open 7:30pm. Tickets on sale now at www.madeinmelbourne.org.au ($10 + booking fee).

Feeling glum with that back-to-uni feeling? (Or at least the imminent, burning sensation that yes, you’ll have to go back to campus at some point?) Secret Sounds is launching a new event, The Big O, to get rid of the Orientation Week blues. With The Music (pictured below), The Fratellis, Ben Lee, Bluejuice, Yves Klein Blue and Cassette Kids all doing their damndest to kick out the jams, The Big O is coming soon to halls of academia near you: starting off at Monash Uni in Melbourne on February 26th, then going to University of Sydney on the 27th, University of Queensland on the 28th, ANU in Canberra on March 3rd, and University of Wollongong on March 5th before finishing up at Newcastle Uni on March 6th. Rock ‘n’ roll: almost worth sitting through all those tutes for.

Express your loved up feelings this February 14th with these one of a kind Valentines day cards. You can actually buy one for every occasion. Non Valentine Day believers rejoice.

Gemma Jones – curator at Outre Gallery (www.outregallery.com) and ringleader of Kaotic Kraft Kuties (www.Kaotickraftkuties.blogspot.com)  - has rounded up a bunch of generous international and local artists in an effort to help bushfire victims. All monies go towards The Red Cross Appeal (http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp)

Kind artists – including Gina Garan (http://www.thisisblythe.com), Angelique Houtkamp (http://www.salonserpent.com/Home.html), and Beci Orpin (http://www.beciorpin.com) (to name only a few) have donated works to be auctioned off at a one night only event to be held on Wednesday 25th February at the Outre Gallery. Tickets for the event go on sale TODAY 16th February from selected venues (www.Kaotickraftkuties.blogspot.com). Come on down, buy some art and have a drink with us courtesy of yummy Fat Yak (http://www.matildabay.com.au)
 

Gorker Gallery is proud to present While you Sleep, a collaborative exhibition of artworks by Cat-Rabbit and Ghostpatrol. The pair have worked together over the past four years combining their thoughts of drawing and sewing. While you Sleep     presents a collection of recent soft sculptures by Cat-Rabbit created from illustrations   by Ghostpatrol and exhibited together in this unique collection of handmade works.
Head down to Gorker Gallery on Gore and Kerr Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne for opening night, Thursday 19 February, 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Show runs until Sunday March 8.
Ghostpatrol and Cat-Rabbit will also curate an artist talk on Saturday 21st February from 1:00pm.

Support the bushfire victims through etsy. A special shop has been set up in response  to the Australian bushfire tragedy. Etsians from all over the globe have donated items for sale and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. Plus there's free international shipping.

Photographer Julie Adams starting shooting portraits of Italian women by accident. While on a train from Milan to Florence, she asked a stranger if she could take her portrait. From then on, during every visit to Italy, Julie found herself doing another portrait. The results are showcased at in her latest exhibition The Beauty of Italian Women at blank_space gallery in Sydney's Surry Hills till the 18th February.

The graniph Design Award is a global design comp open to everyone, regardless of age, location or experience. All 23 winning designs will be printed on limited edition graniph tees and sold through graniph stores worldwide. On top of this, each selected artist will receive prize money – the gold prize being a whopping 9 grand! Last year Melbourne designer Rik Lee was awarded a silver prize of $900 for his girl and deer illustration. Closing date for entries is February 28th. Hop, skip and a jump over to graniph for more details.

A bunch of very clever little Vegemites are stitching their way to healthier planet. In Stitches – a trio with a background in performance, installation and education are creating part of a hyperbolic crochet coral reef with the aim to bring about awareness of climate change. The group, while in residence at Bundanon (the former home of artist Arthur Boyd) are offering a Hyperbolic Crochet Workshop on Saturday 7th March in Nowra. The day will include an explanation of the project, lessons and practice in how to achieve these beautiful shapes and plenty of talk and networking. In Stitches encourage participants to bring recycled wool to use. Call 02 44222100 or head here to be involved in this super exciting project!