I love this place. Free wifi, free use of computers, free courses, art exhibitions, JP services and…read morethey have a whole heap of stuff you can borrow from them... for FREE!! They don't just have books - they also have magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks - something for everyone. It's a great place to go to kill some time and has a place where you can fill up your drink bottle too. I especially love the service where you can reserve a book from any library in the state, they'll send it to your local and it's there waiting for you to pick it up. FOR FREE!!! Not your average library.

Gone are the days where libraries were like stepping into a black hole of silence and study…read more Today's libraries are all about community and activity and the City Library is a great example. For the parents, it's a great stop off for the kids. There's a good, open kids book section complete with mini kid-sized cushions for you to awkwardly try to sit on as you read to your kids. Need a bit of quiet time? Have no fear there's free wifi here too if you need to check those footy scores while the kids explore the rest of what the library has to offer. - but why let them have all the fun? In the Innovation Lab, there are 3D printers to check out, a 3Doodler (a pen that writes vertically...) to play with and not to mention, there are a few books there too. Centrally located, the new Adelaide City Library sits right at the heart of Adelaide City in the new Rundle Place complex, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Rundle Mall. The entrance to the City Library is tucked down a lane way (Francis Street) and up 6 flights of stairs (or Level 3 via the lift). You can also enter via the Rundle Place car park lifts where it's actually on Level 6. Quirky nuances but all part of the adventure... It has everything you'd expect from a modern library - plenty of computers, reading spaces, books, media and even a very nice outdoor reading area. But this library is more than a place to go find a good book, it's a community hub that's bursting with potential. The whole library has the feel of a flexible, modular space with a number of studios and labs available to be used by community groups for everything from computer game development to art exhibitions. As well as the studios, there are also a few specialised areas like the Innovation Lab with those cool 3D toys. The Digital Hub also has a suite of computers and the library offers regular free training from the basics like how to use an iPad to using social media for your business. For the history buffs, the History Hub serves as your go-to place for a look back in time. Finally, for the parents with small kids, there is a very clean Parents Room in the a Rundle Place food court. To get there, head out the 'back' entrance of the Library towards the carpark and head down the lifts to the lower ground level and follow the signs. Coles is also there if you forgot to bring snacks and the food court has a decent number of lunch options. Go check out what a community library in the city is all about.

What a little gem, bright and cosy and lovely owner Judy makes it so welcoming.Preloved books for…read moresale, gifts,coffee and light meals.The cafe also support the Suspended coffee movement where you can prepurchase a coffee for the cafe to gift someone in need of a lift.

Finally Hot coffee ! Relaxing atmosphere loved it, nice…read moreambient background music Modern look and feel, coffee was great, friendly staff Keep it up nice work

A place for local art that you admire and wear, which supports a collective of Australian artists,…read moreopen 6 days for browsing? I say YES PLEASE! Not only is the concept of this space fantastic, its execution is brilliant. The T'Arts collective turned these three small shop fronts into a bright space filled with many different types of art and design, all something that you can wear on your body or decorate your house with. I love seeing what people have made out of such a varied range of materials; materials stitched into pictures, vases made from bones, scarves made from anything soft and malleable, beautiful artwork made from recycled metals, earrings and broaches formed from dyed silks. If you're ever looking for inspiration, or to be filled with the joy of wonderful creations, this place will lift your spirits and satisfy. Add to that a lovely chat with whomever is manning the counter, and it's an experience not to be missed if you're anywhere near Gays Arcade. The products are constantly changing as the artists produce more. Since all their work can't be displayed at the same time, you'll never see the same thing there for very long. No matter what style of art you like, if you appreciate creativity, you'll love their work.

I love the *idea* of the T'Arts Collective - professional artists sharing one large space, and…read moreworking behind the counter on a rostered basis. The space itself is large and airy, with gorgeous wooden floors and a fresh white paint scheme that shows off the art for maximum effect. The artwork itself is hit and miss - some of it completely outstanding, and some of it so-so. It is different every time you visit, and I must confess there was more of a 'wow' factor today then last time I visited. A lot of work is rather high-end (gorgeous handmade bags with a pricetag of $250), and some beautiful (reasonably priced) ceramic work. There is a lot of jewellery at varying price scales, ranging from contemporary right through to 'frumpy'. With such a diverse collection of artisans, there is an equally diverse range. While I enjoyed many of the products on offer, there definitely needs to be an injection of 'oomph' into this shop - I heard a rumour that Bella from Bellatextiles will be joining the Collective (her handwovens are stunning and original), which will spruce up the rather bland current handwoven selection. As previous reviewers have mentioned, clothing on offer is definitely for the older generation - not many young people like to walk around with felted scarves! The reason for this is because not only is it expensive to be a member of the T'Arts Collective (I know, I've looked into it!), but you need to be available to work in the shop - this limits the collective to artisans already working professionally who don't work full time elsewhere. Hence the average age of the artists here. I'll definitely keep my eye on this place though - for giftware, I'd much rather support a local artist than visit a mainstream shop!

If I was a creative I think this would be my home, studio and general hang out all in one…read more This warehouse/office space is a perfect example of the potential for Adelaide to utilise its empty buildings for multiple purposes that involves the whole community. So far I have visited over 4 of the local businesses and arts studios in here from Naomi Murrell (jeweller) to Fascination Street (production company), The Analouge Room (photo lab) and Life Drawing Classes. The diversity of creativity all the one space must be so inspiring to work with, while you're are also able to call a particular part of the building home with your own "office space." Exhibitions are held here all of the time and normally you can catch more than one on at the same time. The Mill also sometimes hosts joint events with Point A (a freerunning, PT, parkour studio next door) and you can get all street savvy out in their car park with live DJ's demos, walk through of the gallery etc. Each time I have been to something here the crowds have been huge and very eclectic (far too much cooler than I) so it is nice to be exposed to a different community of people. Soon they will also be hosting Mill Markets on Sundays for all local artists to come and sell their wares. If you are ever looking for alternative, and very reasonably priced art classes (from photography through to life drawing and more) in the city, this is the place to visit. Or if you prefer to watch rather than participate, sign up to their mailing list or FB page and keep up to date with their regular events.

The Mill is a non-for-profit arts space, designed to allow local artists from all disciplines to…read moreconnect and collaborate with other artists, industries and audiences. It was co-founder by two friends with the aim of creating a centre hub to keep and nurture local artists within Adelaide. To achieve this by building connections with other arts facilitates and developing the space at the mill. The Mill houses artists of all disciplines including: visual artists, designers, writers, architects, filmmakers, photographers, dancers, theatre-makers and performers. It has many facilitates e.g. artist studios, gallery space, dance/ workshop space and office space. I came here as part of the Yelp's SALA walking tour and The Mill is part of the SALA festival showcase SA living artists. When I first walked in they were having an exhibition of artwork for a group of artists. I didn't understand what the art was about. They showcase a bunch of rocks what was nicely place on a table and was half covered in bright yellow print. Then I saw a few printing where they place strings connected from the print board to the celling and the floor, again didn't understand what that mean. Overall the Mill is a great place for local artists from all disciplines to come together and create something that has no real meaning to me.

We dropped by Mrs Harris' Shop on a Sunday afternoon. A small shop in the suburbs which was part of…read morethe Tasting Australia. It was an Interesting exhibition, the lovely lady was very friendly and asked me how I found the place and to sign up for emailing listing. There were brilliant paintings of desserts, most the paintings were sold and ranged from $800+ per painting. The paintings looks good enough to eat, all were different designs of desserts, one was sold buy a buyer from Tassy. A definite quick stop to make if you are interested in paintings or making a purchase. Thumbs up!

Located just shy of the city in Kent Town Greenaway Art Gallery is housed in a modern glass fronted…read morebuilding adjoined with an up market cafe/restaurant. Greenaway is the leading commercial gallery in South Australia for contemporary art and will often show work which would not get a foot in the door in some of the more conservative commercial galleries around town. Whilst the work shown is always very professional, and the artists well known and respected, it is often experimental and haphazard and this is really what has cemented Greenaway's reputation. The Gallery consists of two big rooms with white washed walls and a mezzanine area which often features the work of more up and coming artists. Currently on show at Greenaway is the work of Dani Marti, A talented Spanish-Australian Artist working in a variety of media. Her work has a wonderful aesthetic, powerful two and three dimensional constructions from various found objects in strong reds, blacks and whites. Of particular appeal were the black hemispherical and egg shaped constructions made of cord, but looking something like worms. In addition the present exhibition features two chilling video installations. Prior to Ms Marti's show was an exhibition of works by Christian Lock and Johnnie Daddy with works by Chelsea Leahman on the mezzanine level. Johnnie Daddy is a well known English-Australian sculptor who works in a multitude of media, is recognized for his exploits in casting (especially his cast iron cardboard pianos) and has completed several public commission sculptures around town. Images of works shown at the above and other previous exhibitions can be accessed on Greenaway's website.

An Art Gallery is something that's hard to review - because you might love one exhibition and the…read morenext you might not - so subjective. So I'm reviewing it based on an event space. I went there for a networking event which would have had about 50 people - the space it's self was very well designed and a giant blank wall allowed a presentation to be shown with ease. The biggest issue was that acoustically it was difficult to talk and the concrete floors made standing up (there wasn't anywhere to sit) difficult on my poor legs!

The Adelaide Art Society is housed within an old Grain Silo converted to a studio on Margaret St in…read moreNorth Adelaide. The Art society caters for a number of Sketch Groups, as well as holding annual exhibitions of members works. The programme for the sketch groups is as follows: Monday and Thursday mornings: Portraiture Tuesday morning: Still Life Wednesday Morning and Evening: Life Drawing Friday: Painters Sketch Group. Prices for the sketch groups range between 5 and 10 dollars with discounts for members. I usually only go to the Wednesday night life drawing there. The set up is good with an overhead spotlight. Whilst this sort of lighting is more suited to portraiture, it does provide a difference to the harsh cross light which is usually implemented in life drawing groups, often providing soft contrajour lighting effects. Easels, chairs and drawing boards are provided and there is usually plenty of space, although at times it can get a bit crowded. There is tea and coffee provided at the half time break, and quite a nice room with seating and a shelve of art books, to relax in during the break. My only qualm is that, not too infrequently, the boys in charge forget to turn the spotlight on, which can be slightly annoying.

Think young trendy underground, trying hard to not be trying hard; sort of hip, but a bit too…read moremawkish to actually be hip and you'll start to understand the Format Collective crowd - they don't care what you think mostly. They are a mixed group and none of them are particularly concerned about being real cool, they just want to explore their particular bent be it music, computers, film making, video art, painting, cartooning or social speaking, and to get on with things like drinking alcohol and fornicating with their chosen partner. They are young, but older than their years and they are absurdly un-trendy for that is their main aim I think, to be but not to be. If you consider underground publications photocopied and stapled together interesting artifacts then you will love Format. If you like post punk and alternative rock you will enjoy Format. If your idea of a big night is moshing on a small dance floor to a Melbourne underground band who are releasing an limited edition EP you have hit the jackpot here. They are a combination art gallery space, band gigging venue and computer geek experimental group with free internet that is a bit intermittent but it's the thought that counts. They have had poetry readings, zine workshops, talk festivals where they discuss how young and different they are (while they still are young and different in some cases, and while they are no longer either in others but remain in denial about that). They may have an obscure band in one night and a gallery opening the next night attracting many local geeks and inked freaks all in it for the cheap unpretentiously chilled out good time. To an outsider, a newbie to their group it may seem like they are nothing but a gaggle of masturbators, and that would make some of them laugh out loud while others of their number would cross the road and never speak to you or of you again, preferring to pretend that you do not exist. I personally enjoy my Format adventures and go along whenever I can. I think the group who run it are a little odd, but I'm sure they couldn't care less, and they may well think the same of me - whatever any of us think we always enjoy a good peaceful time in a largish group with no violence or actual vomiting, that's got to be good!

The Format Collective are a group based on Peel Street in the city who run the Format Festival,…read moreStreet Dreams art, the zine shop, and a variety of art exhibitions, live music, and community and art based events. The Format Festival, which was a surprise success and is what they're most well most known for, is on every year in February and gets all the DIY kids riled up. The zine and DIY fair is hugely popular, and what a great opportunity to pick up strange little publications you'd never normally read. Over the last two I've noticed the number of cat based zines to normal zines ratio is about two to one, and I personally hope that trend continues. The great thing about Format events is they're come one come all, you can rock up without having any sort of connection to this crew, and have a great time and always guaranteed see and learn something new. I for one am very excited to see what they come up with in 2012.