Friday 23 November 2012

Bizoo Present: Workshop & Book Launch @ VPHG

to see full size poster head here

(From the Bizoo Media Release)
QLD Creatives head South to share Bizoo, DIY Skills and a CULT-ure Map!

To celebrate the launch of Bizoo’s final release: The Best, The Worst and the Trash That Never Made It', the crew behind Bizoo Zine invites you to a free CULT-ure Map workshop on Thursday 20th December and the official launch as part of the ‘End of the World’ exhibition on Friday 21st December .
What’s a zine? Zine is pronounced ‘zeen’, or like magazine without the ‘maga’ at the front. Generally, it is a non-commercial and often handmade publication devoted to specialised subject matter. Bizoo started life as a zine. The subject matter on its inception was supporting and growing the cultural sector in and around the Darling Downs.

3550 CULT-ure Map will be part zine, part community created tourist map.

Bizoo’s final release is a free retrospective, carbon neutral book that covers the highlights and lowlights of the music and arts zine, Bizoo. Bizoo grew up in Toowoomba Queensland, that’s right; it is home to more than just the Carnival of Flowers. Over its twenty-five issues, Bizoo rounded up a tribe of 60 contributors from across the country and became an underground platform that supported the arts nationally.
For five years, Bizoo woke up a sleepy town and brought to life a thriving arts community. The Bizoo crew will tell the tale on how they achieved this and plan to pass on skills that can assist the growth of Victoria’s regional cultural community. Bizoo gave the folk of Toowoomba an outlet to create, collaborate, and connect while supporting the development of their regional town.

Two of the creators of the publication are spreading the word throughout regional Victoria via workshops and events throughout November and December. With their eyes set on planting cultural seeds in every town they visit. They plan to share their success story and strategies with the Bendigo community and show how a small group of young people created, collaborated and connected.

View Point Handmade gallery has invited Jeremy Staples; the creator of Bizoo and Elouise Quinlivan; owner of the online zine shop Smells Like Zines as well as Bizoo book contributor to come along and facilitate the creation of the 3550 CULT-ure Map zine and launch it and the Bizoo Zine book the following night as part of the ‘End of the World Exhibition’!

You know those boring tourist guides found at backpackers and bus interchanges that show only the money spinning attractions and restaurants that have paid to be on the map? We want to reclaim the streets by highlighting the real events, attractions, cheap eats, artist-run spaces and affordable or free events that only locals would know about. In short – we want you to add your secrets to the map.
Bizoo is coming with your help to create and compile, print and distribute the 3550 CULT-ure Map. We’ll bring along all the resources and creative tools - you need to add your story, insights and secrets.

If the ‘End of the World’ exhibition on the 21st of December wasn’t enough, Bizoo and the 3550 CULT-ure Map will be officially launched as well as The Covers of Bizoo exhibition with highlight all the artists who created covers over the past twenty-five issues. Some have gone onto working at Disney, some have helped to make our street walls shine and others have gone on to create their own zines and start their own DIY collectives. ‘The Covers of Bizoo’ exhibition will highlight all the amazing talent that wrapped around the little zine and made it stick out from the rest. Come along and checkout what Ken Taylor - the now house hold name for rock posters, movies and art design, Rowan Tedge whose work was featured in Vice mag as well as his own zine collections, Simon Degroot whose iconic pieces breathe life into Brisbane’s traffic signal boxes, Sam Mackenzie, an illustrator and well known Brisbane poster and graphic designer and so many more. These artists weren’t in it for the coin, which is great, because Bizoo had no money to pay them, but we thank them for getting on board to kick off a DIY community across Australia.

If we haven’t sold you yet! For one night which could very well be our last! Come learn and print your very own souvenir Gocco postcard. Originating from Japan which mixes the elements of screen printing and pressure printing together. Its easy and simple, even your five year old sister could do it.

If you’re interested in attending or have any questions, please don’t hesitate in getting in contact. You can reach Jessica Cola on info@viewpointgallery.com.au

Vintage Clothing Pop-Up Shop - Coming Soon!

Retro Heaven Bendigo presents VPHG's 1st Pop Up Shop, with a selection of retro and vintage clothing and accessories on sale in the Upstairs Gallery @ VPHG. 

The Launch Party will be on Friday the 30th of November, between 7-9pm.

The collection will be on show Friday 30th November - Sunday 2nd December and then Thursday 6th November - Sunday 9th December.

Thursday 22 November 2012

A Week of Crafternoons

We're opening the upstairs gallery as an escape from the hectic nature of the festive season.

BYO craft project and enjoy the serenity of the gallery while getting your creative on.

from the 13th of Dec - the 19th of Dec, between noon and 4pm.

Entry by donation, all proceeds will go to the Mirabel Foundation!

Contact us for more info

Friday 16 November 2012

VPHG Crafternoon - Softies for Mirabel

'Softies for Mirabel' is an annual handmade toy drive for families dealing with parental substance abuse.
View Point Handmade Gallery, along with Mayhem and Chaos, are hosting a crafternoon to bring softie makers together for the cause!

When? 24th November, Noon until 4pm (come when you can!)
Where? Upstairs Gallery @ VPHG (13 View Point, Bendigo)
What should I bring? supplies to make your softie & a plate of goodies to share, coffee and tea facilities will be available.

As we are asking you to donate what you create, there is no ticket charge for this event - if you can't make it along but would like to donate a softie please drop it into VPHG no later than 28th of Nov, as we will be posting them off after this!

here's a link to details about the drive from coordinator Pip @ Meet Me At Mike's: http://meetmeatmikes.com/2012/10/our-handmade-toy-drive-softies-for-mirabel/

here's a LONG list of free softie patterns: http://www.hillcrestcf.org/crafting/150-free-animal-softie-patterns-tutorials/
 
Meet Me At Mikes Softies For Mirabel Toy Drive
 

Sunday 11 November 2012

Jess @ VPHG Online

I've just finished setting up the Jess @ VPHG web version of our instagram profile and in the process I realised just how many accounts we have for View Point Handmade Gallery on various social media and sharing sites.

I'm definitely an early adopter; I love discovering something new and learning the tricks to make it work for me. I'm always searching for new ways to share View Point with people and create meaningful connections with creative, talented and inspiring people.
 
I've been dipping my toe in a few new ones that I won't share yet, but here's a list of the other places you can find View Point Handmade Gallery and Jess@VPHG (that's me!) online:



VPHG Website :  Our website is a great starting point - it has links to most of our online activities, photo galleries, current and past exhibition details, an events calendar and additional information about the gallery.


Jess @ VPHG on Pinterest  :  I love this visual bookmarking site - I use it to collect ideas for visual merchandising the store, finding new makers I'd like to stock, showcasing the store, keeping track of DIYs I want to try (both personally and at VPHG) and all of the other wonderful, inspiring things that I stumble upon on the internet.


Jess @ VPHG on Instagram  : This is where I share more of our day-to-day visual updates - this can be everything from new stock deliveries to my daughter's first day at school. It's a mini visual blog gives a little insight into the daily happenings both in the world of VPHG and the person behind the counter.

Jess @ VPHG on Twitter  : Similar to the Instagram profile, the Jess @ VPHG is an insight into the going-ons at the gallery and personally. I also like to share info about what's on in and around Bendigo, such as community events and other local businesses that I'm loving.

VPHG on Facebook:  We share a lot of photos and details of instore events on our facebook page - it allows for lots of interaction between View Point Handmade Gallery customers and the makers/artists we represent. It's also one of the places we regularly ask for opinions and ideas for new stock, creative events and general feedback.


VPHG Newsletter:  Finally we have our newsletter - this is VPHG delivered straight to your inbox! We share news and event details, sales and all manner of subscriber only goodies. With only 2-3 emails each month, we try not to overwhelm our fans, but to keep them up-to-date with all that is on the horizon at the gallery.

What online communities are you a part of? Are there any that you recommend VPHG jump on board with?

Saturday 10 November 2012

VPHG Crafternoon 3: Softies For Mirabel



Lock in November 24th 2012 for View Point Handmade Gallery's third craft for a cause crafternoon! This month, in conjunction with Mayhem & Chaos we'll be supporting Meet Me At Mikes's - Softies for Mirabel handmade toy drive. We're still nutting out the details but the basic premise will be the same; spend an afternoon crafting in fabulous company for a good cause.

The Mirabel Foundation are a fantastic organisation, they provide support for children and families affected by parental substance abuse. This will be the sixth year that the Softies For Mirabel campaign has run - toys are handmade with love, sent to be displayed in Meet Me At Mike's shop window from the 1st - 20th of December and then matched to one of the Mirabel kids.

We will be sharing more confirmation details as they are arranged, but for now keep the 24th free!

Thursday 8 November 2012

Stockist Spotlight - Amor Amor

Today in our Stockist Spotlight we're featuring the creative talents of the Colombian trio Amor Amor, enjoy!


Who are you?

We are 3 Colombian friends (2 sisters and a best friend) who all left there homeland at different times to follow dreams of building a new life in Australia. We fell in love with the country and of course the people. The way of life here suits us and we now can't imagine leaving this amazing place.

The team comprises of Luisa (Graphic designer) Viviana (fashion designer & psychologist) and Juliana (Scientist with a big passion for craft and design).

We all went to the same high school but reunited here in Melbourne in 2004. 

 What do you make?

We specialize in kids clothing and stationary with a big emphasis on hand drawn illustrations of Monsters. We create an imaginary world with stories behind them for little people.
 When did you get started? and Why do you make your 'thing'?

Actually the initial idea started a few years ago when Viviana was studying fashion design at University. She was asked to do a project on kids clothing ’inspired by monsters’. Once Luisa heard about the project she was extremely excited to do some sketchbook drawings to help Viviana with her character design. The concept of the sisters lending a hand through school was not new. Luisa and Viviana often shared their ideas and drawings through many school terms at University. Looking back at that project we remember how much fun it was and at that time we actually said, “One day we should bring these characters to life as a business”.

A few years later when Luisa had her first baby, the two sisters had the courage to fulfil their crazy idea and they took the collection of Monsters to Juliana (an old friend from high school who they made a promise to start a business with as teenagers). The three fell in love with the idea and of course the monster characters. Shortly after (in 2011) Amor Amor the business was born. This is the how our cute monsters came to life! 

Above Vivi's university project before we started.
Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)

We still have a large archive of monster illustrations that we haven’t yet associated products with.  In addition to the illustrations we have many more stories that are just waiting to be connected to each little character. We are so excited about the potential here and what the stories may evolve to. Our imaginations are constantly on the go thinking about what new fantasy worlds and pretty images we can create. 



Thursday 1 November 2012

Stockist Spotlight - Emma Kidd (benconservato)

Who are you?
Emma Kidd is my name, I go frequently by the name of benconservato.


What do you make?
I create works on paper mainly. I like to create dreamscapes and imaginary animals. I like to monoprint and add to them from the skeleton of that with gouache (paint) and give them more detail and colour. I also make a lot of articulated creatures. Some I have reproductions of, some I create hand painted decorations.... some are just originals.


When did you get started?
I have, it seems, always been doing something creative, I am told.
 
 
Why do you make your thing??
I think if I couldn't create things, or paint or draw, I actually get kind of frustrated. I don't like drawing in front of other people, so if I am trapped in a situation where this is the case, I tend to take analogue photos.

 
Whats in store for you?
I actually can't say where it is heading. It has changed a lot in the past year, I think, It is a constantly evolving thing (even though I am sure people could possibly still see it is my work).

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