This is a new little place in Middleton. It's look and feel definitely blends in well with the…read moresurfy, funky vibe of the area. I can only rate on the drinks we had, as we did not eat but I had a sugar- free iced coffee which was AMAZING and my husband had a smoothie which he loved. The place has all sorts of arty, crafty nick knacks for sale and the menus are glued inside old record covers. There is a quaint outdoor area filled with old teapots hanging from miniature trees. And the people who own the place were so nice to chat with. Middleton is lucky to have this place pop up

Big Dog Studio houses glass artist Sheryl Glassmith (a surprisingly apt surname) since 1994 and out…read morethe back is the Coromandel Valley Pottery Club for anyone wanting to join and learn the art of making pottery. The building is an old church and located in delightful Coromandel Valley which incidentally is turning 175 years old this year with celebrations galore erupting from January to November 2012. The main entrance is filled with glass sculptures, vases, plates, coasters, etc she also makes some really interesting glass landscapes which can be hung up on the wall just as a painting. The artist also gets commissioned to make glass splashbacks and other unique requests. All of the works are produced on site and baked in the glass kiln. Her works are also on display and for sale in the Urban Cow Studio, Pepperstreet Gallery and T'Arts. There is a display case with jewellery from another artist and also a couple of clay sculptures one of a fish and the other of an adorable Scottish Terrier fast asleep, I may just go back and get him, he'll be cheap to feed, doesn't need toilet training and won't run away.

Classy, sophisticated, very New York, crisp, colourful, tasteful, polished are words to completely…read moredescribe it. When I first saw the gallery from the street it does look impressive and was going to walk straight past but after taking a peep through the half glass door I saw a giant Xmas tree fill the frame, I decided I have to go inside even though I felt under dressed. The epitome of class exudes from all directions, simply jaw droppingly stunning with all the paintings on the walls, some not his but most are, the colour scheme is perfect. Crisp white - but not fluro white - walls, one feature black wall, chocolate drop wooden stairs, decorative seating, original honey coloured matt polished floors, this can be a library all he needs is some arty books and a coffee machine and hey presto - oops wrong word...not classy enough. Mark Lobert has certainly grown and flourished with his poppies which I'm sure we've seen pop up at one event or another, namely when the Rundle Street Markets were in existence, he is no more a starving artist having to peddle his wares at markets. He has made it now and the gallery is even to the point of ostentatious. Upstairs there are several rooms all with the Mark Lobert stamp on them, one room in particular contained several black and white photos of Port buildings framed in black on the walls, another appeared to be a storage room with more massive size paintings, and one other intriguing room had lots of people working. He was speaking to the couple in front of me explaining he runs workshops for $150 where they produce one small and one large painting with his guidance, all the while enjoying a chicken and champagne lunch. Now every artist needs some inspiration infused with alcohol, it's what makes the abstract paintings! After the couple left he just looked at me and didn't actually speak to me, maybe it was the camera hanging around my neck that was off putting...it's ok Mark no hard feelings (but I can take a photo or two of my own you know). The gallery has also expanded into a multi function centre hosting private or corporate functions, weddings, birthdays (hey, what about paint ball!), and probably just about any other sedate event. Price is let's just say an investment. Definitely worth a look as there's nothing like it in the Port.

What a wonderful day spent in Port Adelaide this weekend…read more..... So many wonderful Galleries & quirky retail to be found here! And the Endeavour was also in Port which added an amazing feel to the area! Mark Lobert's Gallery in an amazing space, with wonderful treats around every corner! After a wonderful chat with Mark, we were inspired & wanted one of everything! Maybe when we venture back down to the Gallery for his Fringe Exhibition..... Would highly recommend this Gallery to anyone visiting Port Adelaide, maybe you will be lucky enough for Mark to be creating one of his master pieces on your visit!

Artroom 5 is an underrated little home-gallery out in Henley. Perhaps the location has a little to…read moredo with the lack of people talking about Artroom 5 - I admit there has been quite a few shows I've intended to go to but bailed on due to the 25 minute bike ride from my house. This gallery is a large room of curator Vivonne Thwaite's home near the beach. Once every two months the house hosts two to four artists, some of whom tailor their work to the specific nature of a domestic home. The artists are often paired in perceptive ways - making links between different artists who work in similar contexts. A few shows have used other rooms of the house - Romi Graham did one of her trademark Britney Spears re-enactments in the bathroom. The programming is quite consistent - featuring emerging to mid-career artists, most of whom reside in or have some relationship with Adelaide. Sales aren't really a focus - more creating an intimate setting in which to interact with the work.

Hill Smith is an up market commercial gallery located on in the middle of Pirie St in the city…read more It is housed within a beautiful red two story building with large windows at the front and a charismatic black umbrella dome covering the entryway. There are exhibitions more or less monthly, as well as a number of works held in their stockroom which can be accessed on request. Hill Smith represents a number of the better known local and interstate artists, including David Bromley, Robert Hannaford and Nick Harding. Presently on show is the work of Stephen Trebilcock (Main gallery), Janine Mackintosh and Peter Syndicas (First Floor Gallery). I really love Janine's work which consist of something representing Mandalas constructed from various found natural and man made objects. Her work with eucalyptus leaves has an especially appealing aesthetic, the leaves being beautifully preserved and meticulously stitched with linen thread to the canvass. The juxtaposition of rusted man made objects with preserved natural elements also gives the work a musical quality. Syndicas work, exhibited also on the First floor, consisting of sticks cast in iron and bronze, also follows this natural aesthetic but is, in my opinion, less appealing and although certainly difficult to accomplish, less creative. Trebilcock's work, presented in the Main Gallery consists of a series of beautifully painted still lives, vibrant in colour and texture. The few exteriors presented in the body of work appear slightly illustrative and artificial due to an oversaturation of colour which is more suited to the still lives. This detracts slightly from the overall effect. Of particular appeal were the two triptychs, "Australian Selection" and "Oranges and Grapes."