Sculpture: Rice Straw Giants

For the past ten years, local artists in the Niigata prefecture in Northern Japan build incredible animal sculptures out of rice straw for the annual Wara Art Festival. “Wara” is the Japanese term for rice straw. It’s what remains after the rice harvest.  Some regions use it to feed livestock or improve the soil. But students from Musashino Art University it to make these enormous sculptures. The sculptures are currently on display through October 31, 2017 at Uwasekigata Park.

The Wara Art Festival all started in 2006 when the local district reached out to Musashino Art University to seek guidance on transforming their abundant amount of rice straw into art. And in 2008, the very first Wara Art Festival was held. Since then, every year the school sends art students up to Niigata to assist in creating sculptures made out of rice straw. The festivities have ended but the sculptures are on display through October 31, 2017.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Wara Art Festival participants made this year’s sculptures twice as large as usual.  Visit the Wara Art Festival Facebook page for more photos of these magnificent sculptures.

Posters: Star Wars Landscapes

Star Wars Landscapes by Wales-based Rich Davies

Currently on exhibit at Espace Villeneuve in Bargemon, Marseille.

An officially licensed series of digital paintings based on the many landscapes of the Star Wars universe. They form part of a major Star Wars art exhibition, Star Wars: An Art Odyssey, taking place in Marseille, France from December 3rd to January 17th. The event is curated by Le Cafe Pixel, Lucasfilm and Disney amongst others and is made up of other amazing artists from the Poster Posse collective. The prints will also be available to buy.

Event: Postcards From Space

"Postcards From Space"
On exhibit thru November 15 at Iam8bit in Los Angeles

6" x 4" Postcards available for purchase from Iam8bit. US$5

Iam8bit presents "Postcards From Space," an art show featuring over 40 artists creating postcards of fictional, intergalactic destinations from your favorite movies, TV shows, video games, books, comics and cartoons!

Event: Drawlloween 2015

October is here, and artists around the web are participating in Drawlloween!  Drawlloween is a challenge to draw a image with a different Halloween-theme every day.

Kevin Luong, one of the originators of the October #Drawlloween drawing challenge, has released his 2015 list. While there isn’t really an “official” #Drawlloween list, per se, this is probably the closest you’ll get!

I invite all creatives and non-creatives alike to participate in this daily challenge. Draw, paint, letter, design, photograph, sculpt (or whatever) something everyday according to the daily topic. Be sure to tag your creation with #drawlloween on all social media platforms as well as share here so we can all see what you came up with!

In the spirit of the season, The Geek Art Gallery will be posting daily sketches from artists participating in Drawlloween along with drawing tutorials for people with a keen interest in learning to draw!  If you find an artist whose work you enjoy, bookmark the post, as we'll be updating Drawlloween posts throughout the month!

Event: InkTober 2015

Each October, artists all over the web personally challenge themselves to do one ink drawing each day for the entire month as part of the InkTober drawing challenge.  Jake Parker launched InkTober in 2009 as a personal challenge designed to improve his inking skills.  In the years since, the challenge has grown into a worldwide event with thousands of artists across the web participating in their own unique ways.  You can browse examples of the resulting artwork on Tumblr.

To celebrate Inktober, The Geek Art Gallery will be posting daily sketches from artists participating in Inktober and introducing a new category of posters, "Reference."  The category will be devoted to drawing tutorials and drawing reference materials for new and growing illustrators.

Street Art: Murals In The Market

Created by by Beau Stanton

Photos by Sal Rodriguez (@ElJefe313) and The Pharmacy Co. (@ThePharmacyCo)

From September 17-25, more than 45 new murals were created as part of  1xRUN’s 'Murals In The Market' festival in Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market district.

45 local and international artists were invited to the city's first mural festival, painting massive walls with waves of colour and cultivating a contagious artistic energy that transformed the city into an epicenter of the contemporary public art movement.

Events included during the 9 day street art festival included intimate talks with legendary New York City documentary photographer Martha Cooper, progressive Parisian street artist Kashink as well as New Zealand’s Askew plus a Featured Artist Exhibition at Inner State Gallery. Artists also participated in the Detroit’s Slow Roll bike ride taking a unique look at the city in one of it’s newest weekly traditions, and took in the sights and sounds of Detroit’s finest musicians at TV Lounge.

Go here to check out more of the murals.

Event: 10th Anniversary Art Show

"Invaders From Outer Space" by Doaly

Part of the “10th Anniversary Art Show” opening Thursday, June 18th, 2015 at Iam8bit

Event: When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

"When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth"

On exhibit June 12 through June 27 at the Mondo Gallery.

Mondo presents "When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth," an art exhibition celebrating Jurassic Park and Jurassic World featuring dozens of artists.  In addition to the dinosaur art, Mondo will have a limited pressing of the previously sold out Jurassic Park Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on vinyl!

The opening reception is Friday June 12 from 10pm at the Mondo Gallery at 4115 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751. The show is on display from June 12 - June 27.

Event: Into the Pixel

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the 18 winning pieces of the world-renowned 2015 Into the Pixel (ITP) collection.

Created in 2004, the annual ITP art exhibit honours video game artists who continue to push the interactive entertainment art form forward. Co-produced by the ESA and AIAS, the 2015 ITP collection will be shown for the first time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, from June 16-18, 2015, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Check out the 18 winning pieces below, and click to embiggen for a hi-res close up look in all their glory!  Hop over to the Into The Pixel website for a look at the previous winners since 2004 too.

Event: Superhero

Superhero Art Exhibition

Created by Leilani Bustamante

Modern Eden Gallery presents "Superhero," their fourth annual exhibition paying homage to the champions and defenders of the world, born from the exemplary imaginations of renowned illustrators, writers, publishers, and filmmakers, with leading contemporary artists creating their interpretations in the style of classical portraiture painting.

The opening reception is on Saturday June 13 from 6-9pm at Modern Eden Gallery, 801 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 with Exhibition Curator, Bradley Platz and select participating artists also in attendance at the reception. The exhibition will be on display through July 3.

Event: Goonies 30th Anniversary

Gallery Nucleus presents The Goonies 30th Anniversary Art Show opening on May 23, 2015. This tribute exhibition commemorates 30 years of The Goonies.  Opening reception is Saturday May 23, 7-10pm and the art exhibition runs until June 7 at Gallery Nucleus, 210 East Main St, Alhambra, CA, 91801.

Event: Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day 2015 (FCBD) is finally here, and it couldn't have come on a better Saturday.  The weather's beautiful, summer's just around the corner, and school's nearly out.  Plus, while the international event has taken place on the first Saturday of May since 2002, this year, FCBD falls on the opening weekend of Avengers: Age of Ultron.  That means comics fans are sure to be out in force!  And what's a better way to celebrate another Marvel blockbuster than swinging by your local comic shop for some free comics?

If you stop by your local comic store, you can choose from over fifty free titles including previews of Marvel's big "Secret Wars" event and a glimpse of what's next for "All-New, All-Different Avengers."  Other titles include a special "Doctor Who" comic featuring a Tenth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor, and Twelfth Doctor team up.  Meanwhile, DC Comics is previewing "Darkseid Wars" and Gene Luen Yang's "Superman."

Event: Age of Ultron Art Showcase

  

"Protection" and "Extinction" by Phillip Ellering

Part of the Avengers: Age of Ultron Art Showcase at Hero Complex Gallery.

Prints available for purchase from Hero Complex Gallery.

Hero Complex Gallery have announced the biggest pop-culture art event of the year to celebrate the biggest movie of the year! Landing in Los Angeles on Friday, April 24, from 7-10 PM PT, exclusive artwork from nearly 100 artists, including originals, sculptures, mega-metals, and more, all inspired by Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” just one week prior to the film’s U.S. debut on May 1.

Who: Marvel Studios & Hero Complex Gallery

Description: Art event highlighting the iconic characters of Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Refreshments and music provided, all ages appropriate.

When: Opening Reception: Friday, April 24, 7-10 PM PT
On View: April 24 – May 17
Additional Hours – Wednesday - Sunday, 11 AM - 6 PM PT

Where: Hero Complex Gallery
2020 South Robertson Blvd., Studio D, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Free custom collectible chocolate bars for opening night attendees while supplies last!  For further information about Hero Complex Gallery or this exhibition, please visit their website at hcgart.com.

Event: Age of Ultron Art Showcase

Created by Laurie Greasley

Part of the Avengers: Age of Ultron Art Showcase at Hero Complex Gallery.

Prints available for purchase from Hero Complex Gallery.

Hero Complex Gallery have announced the biggest pop-culture art event of the year to celebrate the biggest movie of the year! Landing in Los Angeles on Friday, April 24, from 7-10 PM PT, exclusive artwork from nearly 100 artists, including originals, sculptures, mega-metals, and more, all inspired by Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” just one week prior to the film’s U.S. debut on May 1.

Who: Marvel Studios & Hero Complex Gallery

Description: Art event highlighting the iconic characters of Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Refreshments and music provided, all ages appropriate.

When: Opening Reception: Friday, April 24, 7-10 PM PT
On View: April 24 – May 17
Additional Hours – Wednesday - Sunday, 11 AM - 6 PM PT

Where: Hero Complex Gallery
2020 South Robertson Blvd., Studio D, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Free custom collectible chocolate bars for opening night attendees while supplies last!  For further information about Hero Complex Gallery or this exhibition, please visit their website at hcgart.com.

Event: Independent Bookstore Day

Independent Bookstore Day in NYC

Saturday, May 2, 2015

The first EVER! national holiday for indie bookstores, Independent Bookstore Day, is coming on May 2!  Over 20 New York City bookstores will be celebrating their first ever national holiday all day long on Saturday, May 2 with special activities, events, author visits, and lots of fun.  Get involved!

• Check out what’s going on at NYC stores; see how many you can visit in one day!
• Finish the day off right by coming out to the official Afterparty.
• Get in touch! The coalition of NYC stores can be reached at info@bookstoredaynyc.com.
• Share pictures, stories, and book stacks with #bookstoredaynyc and #bookstoreday, and we’ll be reposting you from here, all day! And follow us here.
• Visit Participating NYC Stores! (duh.) 

Posters: Augury

"Augury" by Kelly McKernan

This piece by Kelly McKernan, is part of the 'Imaginary Menagerie: The Arch Enemy Arts Guide to Cryptozoology Vol. 1' art exhibition hosted by Arch Enemy Arts and features brand new works by 22 artists who were asked to create a depiction of a different legendary creature, and creating the sense that you are walking through a guidebook for mythical beasts.

The full lineup includes works by 100taur, Boy Kong, Caitlin Hackett, Caitlin McCormack, Carisa Swenson, Carly Janine Mazur, David Natale, Erika Sanada, Heather McLean, Julie Filipenko, Keely Reichman, Kelly McKernan, Lara Dann, Leilani Bustamante, Maryanna Hoggat, Rebecca Yanovskaya, Robert Kraiza, Sean Talamini, Scott Kirschner, Hanna Jaeun, and Veks Van Hillik.

'Imaginary Menagerie' opens on Friday, April 3, and is one of three exhibitions celebrating Arch Enemy Arts' 3rd Anniversary.

The AEA 3rd Anniversary Reception is on Friday April 3 from 6pm - 10pm at Arch Enemy Arts, 111 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19106.

Event: Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

The 2015 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Photographs via Design Dautore

Every year, in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, the city of Harbin hosts the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring massive ice and snow sculptures. At night, the sculptures are colorfully illuminated and visitors can climb and play on some of the structures. The festival officially opened on January 5 this year, and will run through the end of February. According to organizers, the winter festival now draws several million tourists each year, from China and from abroad. Read more about the event at The Atlantic and The Telegraph.

Gallery: Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

"The 2014 Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze" by aaa

Prints available for purchase from BigCartel. Etsy. Society6. StoreEnvy. US$

The 2014 Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, New York is a Halloween event featuring more than 5,000 illuminated pumpkins arranged into sculptures. Among the highlights of the 2014 Blaze: an illuminated covered bridge, a pumpkin T-Rex, and a headless horseman. Tickets for the event — which takes place on select evenings throughout its run — are available online. Mommy Poppins has more on this year’s Blaze.

"See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns in this elaborate walk-through experience. Meander through an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display – all made of jack o’ lanterns!"

Event: Daughters of the Atom

"Storm" (Paper cut in vintage frame) by Ashley Fisher

Previews from the women of the X-Men tribute art show, “Daughters of the Atom,” which opened October 10th at One Shot Gallery. Prints available for purchase from One Shot Gallery.

Event: ArtPrize 2014

"1001 Coffee Cup Stories" by Gwyneth Leech, 2014.

Mixed media on upcycled paper coffee cups.

At the Harris Building, 111 S. Division.

ArtPrize is the world’s largest art competition, and it's held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The competition culminates in a public vote that awards a top prize of two hundred thousand dollars to a winner and another one hundred sixty thousand to the next top ten pieces.  The event is almost entirely volunteer-run, and participating venues agree extend their hours during the competition's three-week run.  It's a fantastic event that the Michigan art community looks forward to all year round.  Here are a few of the pieces favored for a win this year.