The Raglan Shire Artwalk

 

One of Second Life's most noted yearly art shows, and Raglan Shire's best known annual event, is now taking place: The Raglan Shire Artwalk. Occasionally called "art on a hedge" by the local tinies, there's a huge amount of art available to see.

 

The Artwalk officially opened on Sunday May 17.  To start things off with a bang, there was a concert in which Mia Rose sang at 11 AM SL time, followed by Nivor the singing chicken. The latter had a few jokes about someone in a hen avatar singing the tunes, and even Nivor himself joined in with a couple songs about frying poultry, to prove he wasn't afraid of anything "fowl" happening, let alone fox reporters. 

 

There's plenty of artwork to look at. Some are prints of real-life paintings and drawings. But there's also Second Life screenshots, and prints of real-life photographs, as well as some three-dimensional sculpture. And much of it reflects the whimsy of the Raglan community. Some of the art also has a "buy" option, so you can take home some copies to put on the wall of your own virtual space. 

 

There's also a face-painting booth in which your avatar's face becomes a canvas itself (might work only on tiny avies). There was a "hedgiepillar" to ride as it walked around the art displays. And then there's Catten Carter "Art-o-Matic 3000," in which you yourself end up part of the art, albeit briefly. 

 

The Artwalk goes to June 14. During this time, other events will be going on in Raglan. So don't be surprised if while touring the pictures, you hear the high-pitched cheers and applause of the locals in the distance.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/102/188/58 (takes you to event schedule board near a 'hedgiepillar' and 'art pallete' rezzer)

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/116/29/59 (teleporter to different areas) 

 

Bixyl Shuftan (with a little help from Droppa MaPants)

 

Raglan Shire Accepting Applications For Artwalk

 

Some news for artists in Second Life aspiring and established. Raglan Shire is accepting applications for it's Artwalk, one of the largest yearly art shows in Second Life. 

 

Residents of Second Life are invited to show their original artwork during this event.  Reproductions of original RL artwork (painting, drawing, digital fine art, printmaking that can be imported and put on a prim) are encouraged, along with SL photography, manipulated photography and sculpture.

In past years, we have had between 120-150 artist participants exhibiting in spaces over several sims and hope for another good turnout this year for the 21st Artwalk. The show will include space in Raglan Shire tree city, Raglan Commons, Heron Shire forest, Morning Shire park and Athen Shire village. The 2D artwork will be displayed along hedgerows around Raglan Shire, and sculptures in designated areas of Commons, Heron, Morning and Athen Shires.

The event itself tuns from May 17 to June 14, with entries being accepted from now to Monday May 11. Those wanting to enter must fill out an entry form (here). 

 

For more information, click here. 

 

The Dickens Project Art Show

 

The Dickens Project is a yearly event held by the Seanchai Library, celebrating the story "A Christmas Carol," with numerous activities, smaller events, and experiences. Among these is the Dickens Project Art Show. Open until January 5, there are a number of pictures on display. Netera Landar went over, and had a few words with the coordinator, Stevie Morane Basevi.

 

Read Netera's article in Design.  

The Lost Gallery

 

Netera Landar recently went to the opening of an art exhibition going on to January 3, "The Lost Gallery." Set in a wintery outdoor area, the place was "beautiful and realistic." She would talk to some people and take a few pictures of the displays. So which artists were there and what did they have?

 

Read Netera's article, and see the pictures, in Design.

 

Addition: Part of the article was accidentally left out earlier. It's now up. 

Commentary: A.I. Art - Is It Stealing Your Art?

 

One of the burning issues in both the real world and online is Artificial Intelligence, or AI. There have been worries it will eventually destroy the world, and more recently Amazon announced it will be replacing some jobs with AI programs. On the Internet, there's been a big debate about the creations of AI programs: AI art. Some love it, Others hate it. Nydia Tungsten recently had a few things to say on the matter.

 

Read Nydia's commentary in Extra 

Announcement: Burn2 Octoburn "Tomorrow Today" Starts Tomorrow

It is our tradition in Burn2 to "echo" Black Rock City every year, which includes following Burning Man's announced art theme. In "Tomorrow Today" we invoke an atmosphere like the World's Fairs of yesteryear, "which celebrated not only scientific progress but also cultural exchange and artistic excellence." We infuse our visions and stories within the theme that draw visitors in, to experience the art and music. We can express our envisionings of possible futures, whether utopia, dystopia, or some mixture of the two.

As Burners who hail from many different parts of the world, you can share your culture and creativity through your art, music, and presence.

 

Live performers who wish to utilise the cozy, laid-back environment of Center Camp or to bring their live performance stage sets to the BOB (Bring Own Build) stage.

We are so excited for you to return, bringing those ideas with you! 
We can't wait to see you and say, "Welcome Home!"

Location:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/147/30/24

Website:  https://www.burn2.org/tomorrowtoday/

Join in the fun

Raglan Shire Artwalk

 

 The Raglan Shire artwalk is taking place. This is one of the best known yearly art events in Second Life, and the Raglan community's most popular one.

 

 Across much of their land, numerous pictures, photographs, paintings, and sculptures have been set up.

 

 With some galleries by individual artists.

There was one group of cartoons.

 

And some 3D sculpture.

 

 

 Among the things there was the "Art o Matic 3000" which will paint a copy of your profile pic. Just watch out near the end. 

The event goes on to Sunday June 15.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/126/61/59

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: Registration For Raglan Shire ArtWalk Is Open

 

Raglan Shire is hosting its 20th ArtWalk starting May 18, 2025. A 4-week long, multi-sim art festival, it is one of the art highlights of SL. Residents of Second Life may show their artwork during this time.  Reproductions of RL original artwork (painting, drawing, art photography, printmaking, collage, and digital fine art that can be imported and put on a prim) are encouraged, along with SL artwork including virtual photography and sculpture.

In past years, we had over 100 artist participants exhibiting in spaces over several sims. This year, we hope for a good turnout and will include space in Raglan Shire tree city, in Heron Shire forest, Morning Shire park and Athen Shire village. The 2D artwork will mostly be displayed along hedgerows around Raglan Shire, and sculptures in designated areas of Heron, Morning and Athen Shires.

DATES: Sun May 18 - Sun  Jun 15, 2025
LOCATION: Raglan Shire Sim Cluster
INFO & REGISTRATION LINK: https://sites.google.com/view/raglanartwalk2025/home
ENTRY OPENS: Friday April 25 at noon SLT
ENTRY CLOSES: Monday, May 12 at 9:00 PM SLT

 

For questions, contact in-world:

Linn Darkwatch, Artwalk Director

Panacea Pangaea, Artwalk Assistant

Kayak Kuu, Artwalk Assistant

Karmagirl Avro, Artwalk Assistant

You can also ask questions in the Friends of Raglan Shire group in SL.

 

Raglan Shire Artwalk Taking Place

 

 

One of Second Life's largest annual art shows, the Raglan Shire Artwalk, is going on. It started on Sunday May 19 and will be going on for about a month to Sunday June 16.

The Artwalk features a variety of pictures, much of it people can buy a copy of. There are both screenshots, and real-life artwork brought inworld. Besides the pictures, there are also sculptures and other 3D art. There are also occasional teleport boards to other sections of the displays. 

 

While this may be a community event, and many local artists have their work featured here, it has and still is been open to all wanting to show their work here, both the local tines and "biggies" (local slang for human and furry avatars).

Once again, the Artwalk goes on to Sunday June 16.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/125/60/59

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Five More Online Comics, Past and Present

 

 As kids, most of us enjoyed reading the "funny pages" and the comic strips in them. As grownups, we can still love a good comic, and in the age of the Internet we can find some online. Internet comics have one advantage over those in the newspaper, we have a LOT more to chose from and we can go back and read previous strips. The Newser was recently asked to write about a discontinued comic, so here's a look at that and four other comics past and present.

Read the reviews in Extra.

 

The Raglan Shire Artwalk

 

 

In the Raglan Shire community lands their annual Artwalk is taking place. Over much of the area, numerous artworks are up for display. The bulk of it is on the hedgerows in the Raglan Shire sim, much of it on the tree platforms, which the locals sometimes call "art on a hedge." In Morning, Heron, and Athen Shire are some sculptures and other 3D artworks. 

 

Much, if not most, of the paintings one can buy a copy of. Many of the works are from artists who make their home in the Shire, but there are a number from other places in Second Life as the event has been open to all artists.

Due to the General-Audience rating of the sims, there is no adult artwork available for display. But there is humor, fitting in with the often whimsical-nature of events that the Raglan tinies like to show. At one place, I found an "Art-O-Matic 3000" which when sat on will do a "painting" of your profile picture as you watch. But that last step is a doosy.

 

The Artwalk started earlier this month, on Sunday May 14, and it will go on until Sunday June 18.

 

To get to Art Area 1, head to Raglan Shire (80/144/58). There are teleports to other art display areas, but feel free to walk around.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: Kultivate 6th Annual Spring Art Show

The Kultivate 6th Annual Spring Art Show will take place June 7 to June 13, 2021! As in previous years the spring art show will feature both a juried competition and a non juried (exhibition) component.

SLURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/156/135/26

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS (In alphabetical order):
4pril Resident, Amanda, Angel Heartsong, Anouk Lefavre, Cutewillow Carlberg, Dandilyon Jinx, Dawnbeam Dreamscape, Deynira Yalin, Elise Sirnah, Eucalyptus Carroll, Eve Petlyakov, Jamee Sandalwood, Johannes Huntsman, Kacey Macbeth, Kapaan Resident, Klint Kord, Lena Kopiak, Matt Thomson, Myra Wildmist, Ohara Takamori, Phoenix, Roxcee REesident, Sabine Mortenwold, Sandor, Sevant Anatra, Sheba Blitz, Slatan Dryke, Tempest Rosca, Vanessa Jane, Veruca Tammas, Viktor Savior, & Vita Theas.

The following live vocalists and musicians will provide entertainment throughout the art show: Mimi Carpenter, Abby Jaidov, Lyric Serendipity, Rapid Randy, Bubbles Song, Suzen Juel, Ziggy Sixpence, Jackie Lefko, Dee Timeless, Thunderfoot, Aislen Sings, J Lively, Sarita, Sam Qenda. 

For more information: 

https://kultivatemagazine.com/6th-annual-spring-art-show/
https://kultivatemusicmanagement.net/
 

Announcement: Raglan Shire Artwalk Starts This Sunday May 16

Raglan Shire is hosting its 16th ArtWalk starting May 16, 2021. A 5-week long, multi-sim art festival, it is one of the art highlights of SL. Residents of Second Life show their artwork during this time.  Reproductions of RL original artwork (painting, drawing, art photography, printmaking, collage, and digital fine art that can be imported and put on a prim) are exhibited, along with SL artwork including virtual photography and sculpture. In past years, we have over 150 artist participants exhibiting in spaces over several sims. This year, we hope for a good turnout and have included space in Raglan Shire tree city, in Heron Shire forest, Morning Shire park and Athen Shire village. The 2D artwork will mostly be displayed along hedgerows around Raglan Shire, and sculptures in designated areas of Heron, Morning and Athen Shires. 

DATES: Sun May 16 - Sun June 20, 2021
LOCATION: Raglan Shire Sim Cluster

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/30/222/77
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/68/148/58
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/13/160/79
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/75/245/22
  

Five Past Online Comics

 

A number of  us love a good cartoon strip, and for some of us that includes online comics. But no serial comic strip lasts forever. Real life may force the artist to stop due to growing family and job requirements or other reasons. The artist may decide to end the strip while it's still good, or perhaps they've concluded their tale. And of course the artist (or the writer) may pass away. In this story for today, yours truly describes five comics that are no longer updating for various reasons.
 
Read the story in Extra.
 

Interview With Susan Braveheart (aka Miss Longtail)

 

In Haven Shire, one can find the art store for a certain talented tiny artist. Susan Braveheart, also known as Miss Longtail, is a real-life artist whom has been showing her work here in Second Life, both at galleries and her own location. She's also a singer. So how did she get started and where can you find her paintings? Kayly Iali recently had the chance to interview her to find out the answers to these and other questions.

Read Kayly's interview in People.

Scenes From The 2021 Winter Burn

 

It's been a little more than a week since the Winter Burn in Second Life. For three days, four if one counts the music event "Burn2 Unplugged," people went about the Burning Man Deep Hole sim. They both danced to the music and checked out the exhibits. The Newser was there, and took a few pictures.

See the pictures in Design.

Aneli Abeyante And Maison d’ Aneli

 

Second Life artist Aneli Abeyante has been exhibiting her work in the virtual world for a number of years. Her most recent exhibit is at her Gallery in Virtual Holland named Maison d’ Aneli. There, the works of nine different artists can be found, in addition to her own art. Kayly Iali went there to take a look.

Read Kayly's article in Design.

EOTB: SLEA Sims Up

 

The first sims up the Second Life Endowment of the Arts, or SLEA, are up and accessible. The news was announced on the official blog earlier this week.

 The Second Life Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Linden Lab, launched January 1st, 2021. The new initiative, originally announced in September, provides an opportunity for artists to apply for use of grid space to create artistic experiences in Second Life while also promoting the overall virtual arts community in SL.

The SLEA, which is the spiritual successor to the former Linden Endowment for the Arts (LEA), bears a colorful aesthetic that is part university courtyard and part amusement park, influenced by art galleries, the cosmos, and more. There are a total of nine regions of varying thematic focus, such as machinima or performing arts.

This ambitious initiative, which is aided by the help of 21 core volunteers and many more contributors, aspires to give grant awards to selected applicants about twice a year. For the debut exhibitions, the SLEA was pleased to receive wide representation from the arts both in terms of genre, style and nationality.

On arrival, visitors will be given access to a HUD experience which enables ease of travel around the regions in addition to a teleport network. The Landing Pod provides a view over a Performing Arts Center, Arts Education and Innovation facilities, Machinima Land, and the dPod where SLEA’s archives are located for all to peruse. The SLEA regions are expected to further evolve over time as more artists collaborate and new exhibitions are brought into rotation.

Tansee emphasizes that the SLEA aims to draw attention to all artists, galleries, art venues, communities and art education locations in SL. That goal is evident by the presence of a massive T-shaped “connection bridge'' spread across two regions that aims to connect SLEA to the larger community of artists and venues. As visitors stroll across the bridge, they will encounter numerous promotional posters along the way. There are also additional kiosks that visitors can click to get teleport links and even more information about the wide range of artists and exhibitions to be found across all of Second Life.

A Second Life Destinations video was made of the area as well, with Tansee Resident as the narrator.

The Newser will have more on the SLEA later. For those wanting to see the area for themselves: Click Here.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLEA7/32/32/55/

Bixyl Shuftan

Last University of Western Australia Sim to Close - Final Art Event in November

A sim that's made the news a number of times in the past will soon be closing, and will have one final event.

Longtime readers may remember the University of Western Australia area in Second Life for it's yearly art competitions, which offered prizes that once exceeded a million Linden dollars. But in December 2015, it was announced the competition then would be the final one. In September 2016, it was announced four of the five sims would be closed down. But a month later, it was announced the sims had been given a reprieve (one transferred to someone else). In March 2017, it was announced the reprieve on three of the four sims left was ending. But one of the three would get another break, so two would remain. One last prize money competition would be organized by supporters in March 2019. This would be the last time the Newser would write about the area, it's long term future in doubt. Still, the UWA area would be the scene of some weekly events for a time (UWA blog).

But it seems almost five years after the end of the yearly art competitions, the UWA area has finally run out of chances. It was announced in the UWA 3D Art and Design Challenge group that the last sim, University of Western Australia, would soon close, after Midnight December 31st . So it it's honor, there would be one last event.

One last show... let's make this a good one.
Uni of WA estate is down to one region and it will disappear at the end of the year. (yes REALLY disappear)
Jayjay, Freewee, quadrapop and all the others who have helped put together art and machinima challenges over the years invite you to take part in this event organised by Chuck Clip.

*  *  *  *  *

This is a grand finale, a sad farewell to show our gratitude to UWA and all that they did for us as artists, curators, and residents of SL. Their work brought life and beauty to all of us and made the art world in Second Life a thing to behold.

The theme is "Gratitude"
This art show is open to everyone. The theme is “Gratitude” with a 150 prim limit per artwork, and limited to one entry per artist.

Why The Theme “Gratitude?”
For over a decade, the University of Western Australia has been synonymous in the minds of many residents of Second Life with the arts and the support thereof. Their work was unparalleled on the grid, and made waves in the art world that, even as they prepare to close their sim, resonate through the art world today.

There are so many people whose lives they touched in one way or another. So many artists found inspiration in their 3D Art Challenge themes, and support in the encouragement of the community they created.

I, Chuck Clip, am one of them, and I am honored and humbled to have been granted the chance to organize this event. I’ll attempt to carry their extraordinarily heavy torch, to continue to support the arts in Second Life in their stead.

Let us all come together this one last time to say thank you to the men and women of this great institution, to celebrate their achievements, their impact on our own achievements, and to mourn their departure. 

The deadline for interested artists to enter is November 1. There's a 150 prim limit per exhibit, and "Artwork entered should be able to be interpreted by the casual viewer as being representative of the theme." To enter, head to the UWA landing point at University of WA (76/227/25) or to Sinful Retreat (137/142/52). Both sims have a UWA Art Show Submissions box located there, "To submit entries, select the entry in your inventory (left mouse button) and then press CTRL & drag the entry while holding down that key to the UWA Art Show Submissions box. When the cursor is over the box (red outlines should appear around the receiver box), release your left  mouse button and the item is received. Do this for BOTH your entry and your Artist Notecard." Those who have problems doing so can pass the exhibit and the artist notecard to Chuck Clip.

The event opening is November 11, from 12 Noon to 4pm SLT. Exhibits will be taken down on Dec 31 or just before, before the sim closes.

For more information, check the notecard in the UWA 3D Art and Design Challenge group.

Hat tip: Inara Pey

Bixyl Shuftan

"Introducing the Second Life Endowment for the Arts"

Good news for fans of the late "Linden Endowment for the Arts," which after running for eight years closed in August 2019.  On the official blog, Brett Linden announced the Second Life Endowment for the Arts, or SLEA, "the spiritual successor" to the old LEA.

... the new SLEA is a multi-region experience that aims to provide opportunities to further fuel interest in and spotlight the work of both established and emerging artists in Second Life.  

It is hoped that the creations and art featured in SLEA will help draw attention to the overall arts community in Second Life including driving both traffic and awareness to many of the established artists and exhibits found across Second Life. In addition, SLEA would like to reach out to new residents of SL and help them to discover the arts in SL and all the creative tools that are offered so that a new generation of creativity will unfold.

The regions are scheduled to open sometime in January 2021. Linden Lab stated they were doing the SLEA "in partnership" with Tansee and Hannington Xeltentat. Tansee was a member of the LEA, and after the announcement it was closing in July 2019, she was part of an effort to save it. She would soon get together with Hannington, and they would come up with the Hannington Endowment For The Arts in November. Brett would state, "That initiative, which has drawn the interest, respect and participation of many artists in SL, proved the concept and the demand from the arts community in Second Life. SLEA promises even more access to engaging events, exhibitions and experiences in the arts for the Second Life community. It is anticipated that the HEA will continue as a separate entity for those who wish to participate in its activities "

Of how interested artists can take part, Brett stated, "Specific details of how the community can get involved in SLEA will be revealed in the near future. Keep an eye out for the application where artists and creators can apply for consideration for use of full or partial regions at SLEA." He would add there was a "new SLEA group inworld" that they could join. For those wanting to learn still more, he stated that there would be an interview with he, Patch Linden, Tansee and Hannington on "a special episode of 'Designing Worlds' " next week.

Brett would add the following on the bottom:

Linden Lab and the SLEA wish to express our deep gratitude to all in the community who have supported and promoted the arts in Second Life over the years. In particular, we want to express thanks to the many volunteers who contributed to the original Linden Endowment for the Arts during its almost decade-long run from 2010-2019. We are grateful for your ongoing passion and support -- and we can’t wait to see what the new year brings with SLEA in 2021.

Source: Linden Blog

Bixyl Shuftan