Panelpop is one of those strange little idiosyncratic ideas that somehow turned into a business…read more The first question upon entering was, of course, what is a Panelpop? As it turns out, it's a kind of frame/art canvas made from recycled materials, primarily reclaimed wood, polystyrene and stone. Panelpop sells plain panelpops for artistic/framing purposes, will mount your photographs and artwork onto a panelpop for between $70 and $150, and host workshops on making panelpops. The space is also semi-used as a gallery for local artists whose work is mounted on panelpops, so it's a good place to scout for your art collection. The theme at the moment seems largely to be based around fables and fairy tales. The panelpops are visually pleasing and a great idea that will appeal to eco-conscientious art lovers. A good space to drop into from time to time.

Panel Pop has to be the coolest way to make a home, a shop or just a space more decorative…read more Eco-Friendly, using mainly materials rescued from landfill, Panel Pop provides a glassless, and paperless way to display art; and i have to say, it's pretty darn cool! You can get them to upload your art and photos onto their 'Panel-Pop' style for around $70 (Being the smallest 6 x 6) and $150 (The largest at 12 x 17). The way the images and art come up are very different and attract so much attention. I had some artwork send through to them and done up, looks great on the lounge room wall and every one is quite intrigued by it.

This is a really sweet little gallery that was found by a chance encounter. Gallery spaces can…read moreoften feel intimidating or pretentious however this light space is inviting and displays interesting contemporary art that I often envisage in my home. The gallery is a not for profit organisation that is committed to nurturing and displaying the work of artists that may not be able to have their work shown in commercial galleries. One of the staff informed me that the majority of artists have intellectual disabilities and that was the instigation for creating this gallery. Philosophy aside their other point of difference is their pricing. The works are affordably priced for pieces of such a high calibre. A framed print/painting/illustration can range from $75 to $800, however most are around the $200 mark. This is one of those inner city cultural happenings that leave me warm and fuzzy and thankful that people are striving to make a difference.

A sleekly modern and refreshingly unassuming looking gallery slash workshop about mid-way down…read moreFitzroy's Gertrude Street, the 30 year old Australian Print Workshop is officially - or according to its website at least - 'Australia's leading printmaking institution'. Featuring not only a gallery but a fully functioning print making workshop where the APW runs a regular series of printmaking workshops in everything from etching and lithography to wood and perspex engraving, the Australian Print Workshop is that rare artistic beast: a gallery with prints that you could actually *gasp* almost afford. Stylistically, the range of prints on offer vary enormously. From the figurative to the abstract, the monochromatic to the riotously colourful, there's something for everyone. And with prices starting at around $100 for a print, this is arguably one of Melbourne's more accessible galleries. Staff are friendly and unpretentious, the space itself is spartan but welcoming and there are a range of both framed and unframed prints on offer from both the confines of the Gertrude Street gallery and the APW's awesome website.

Walking along Gertrude Street I stop to look at the small gallery at the Australian Print Workshop…read more The Australian Print Workshop producing high-end art prints by notable Australian and international artists. And its gallery regularly has exhibition of prints from the workshop. I saw something of the exhibition on the ABC's Art Nation; it is by artists who have received a scholarship to work at the Australian Print Workshop. The gallery space is such a professional space, in contrast to many of the other galleries on Gertrude St. White walls and timber floor, I instantly forget about Gertrude St. and silence envelops me. In the gallery there are also draws of wonderful art prints that you can look through and purchase. The printing workshop is next to the gallery. You can see the workshop with all of its printing presses through the front window I look at the information on their classes in printing - maybe one day I will want to do one.

Went in a few weeks ago to see the Will McKinnon exhibition. Amazing works, massive and deep. It…read morewas a Saturday afternoon, not many people about and I had the gallery to myself for a quarter hour. Melissa, the gallery owner, is passionate about what she does and was really helpful in describing the art works. My only sadness is not having a big enough room to hang the paintings which were on sale! By the way there are other galleries and a tiny outdoor bar nearby. Well worth a look.

I went in to Utopian Stumps to see their current exhibition. The gallery space is a single ground…read morefloor space in one of Melbourne's great old lane-ways. This area has become a hub for new little galleries; there are two more just across Guildford Lane. Utopian Stumps is such a contemporary art gallery with its white walls and polished concrete floor. The exhibitions that I've seen there have all been serious contemporary art by emerging artists. This month's exhibition at Utopian Stumps was by a couple of artists who are doing their Masters of Visual Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts. After I had been looking at the sculptures and three paintings for a couple of minutes a young woman emerged from the backroom to hand me an A4 photocopied room sheet - "the room sheet". I don't know why they weren't just at the door. Not that it was much help, as the works weren't even numbered.

Art spaces are becoming a dime a dozen. Everywhere and everywhere, much like the photocopier making…read morezine making things murky in terms of quality, it's a design space like Lamington Drive that really strive to show just what the crème of the crop are capable of. Owned and operated by illustration agency The Jacky Winter Group, the gallery has been around since 2008 with a dedicated focus on those represented by the agency itself. Commercial art in a gallery. Yes a little awkward if you want to think about it too much, bit ti doesn't stop the work looking amazing. That's why you buy stuff isn't it? All four walls of the gallery lined in single-ply cardboard which is recycled each month, the space carries this temporary and ephemeral idea that illustration sometimes holds. With many artwork for sale, as well as the gift shop featuring artist books of special editions and more, Lamington Drive shows you just what Melbourne Illustrators are capable of.

While often passed over in favour of the more obvious NGV, RMIT Gallery has played host to some…read morepretty amazing exhibitions in the past. Particularly special was 'Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention.' The gallery showcased the work of more than 100 mostly German and European designers who approached "conventional" design tasks in an unusual manner. There was a wonky bookshelf, a vacuum cleaner chair and a whole range of other every day objects rendered in an extremely inventive manner. Quirky and fun, I was so impressed by this exhibition that I have been back to RMIT a number of times since just to see what they have going on. The gallery always draws a great range of local and international artists and hosts the kooky concepts that the larger galleries can't get away with. From revolutionary Chinese art to Japanese anime figures and Australian street art, there's something for everyone. Conveniently located right in the centre of the city this is a space that it always worth checking out.

Aside from the National Gallery this is one of the best galleries in Melbourne. I always expect top…read morequality exhibitions at this gallery in Storey Hall at RMIT and I'm rarely disappointed when I visit. This time I saw the "Space Invaders", a traveling exhibition of street art from National Gallery of Australia. It is an amazing exhibition with work all these great Melbourne stencil artists. I'm glad that I didn't go all the way to Canberra to see this exhibition because Canberra is a boring place and RMIT Gallery is more convenient - it is diagonally opposite Melbourne Central. I have seen the exhibition twice because it is so easy to get there. RMIT gallery has a foyer with an information desk and lockers for school groups - they do give free floor talks to groups but I haven't been on any of these. There is one very large gallery space and two smaller adjoining spaces. The exhibitions change every two months and entry is free.

I needed to get some decent frames for a couple of prints that I purchased while I was in Europe,…read moreand I decided that I would try this place. Well, it turns out that frames actually aren't all that cheap, though the staff here were pretty helpful. Mind you, like a lot of these places, they generally sell originals, not prints, or if they do sell prints, they tend to be for artists that don't happen to be dead. That's a bit of a shame, though it could be because stores generally only have so much space. It was good though, and they do have some interesting works here as well.

Have reliably gotten picture framing done from Studio Craft over the years, and I just visited…read moretheir new location near Auburn Road to get a timber box frame done for my home. Pleased to say I was served by the same friendly staff, and the turnaround only took a week!

If you have a couple of minutes to spare then it's worth a little look around the Tusk Gallery…read more Featuring works from many popular Australian artists as well as some very good Thai artists it's sure to impress you. It's always refreshing stepping into an aesthetically pleasing space where taking it all in is part of the charm there. It's not threatening and feels very creative as you can see the obvious hours of dedication it would've taken to paint some of the intricate works of art. I have a huge respect for these people and feel like it's a small gesture to take the second and appreciate their hard work. It has always caught my eye down Chapel St and will now make sure I always stop and at least have a quick look at what's on show.