Ana Bagayan and her boyfriend and fellow creative, Ara Devejian, were invited to teach an art segment at the launch of re:Active’s newest zine project, Dead-End Door, re:Vealed. re:Active in a non-profit, arts-education program for youths aged 13 to 19 that introduces students to jobs in the fields of design, writing, illustration and photography through the production of a theme-based magazine about issues affecting youth.

The newest issue, Dead-End Door, re:Vealed, was a collaborative effort between re:Active, 826LA and the students of Los Angeles High School.

The launch takes place on Sunday, June 29th between 4:30-6:30 at FAMILY, 436 North Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA

re:Active

826LA

Gordon Wiebe and Ana Bagayan are featured in Blanket magazine’s collector’s edition patchwork poster. Blanket is an online magazine from Australia that features art, design and photography from around the world. The poster, made to resemble a patchwork blanket, features the work of 56 artists that have appeared in the magazine since it’s launch in December 2006. The poster measures 950mm x 570mm and is available for $15 (plus postage) at the Blanket Magazine online store.

www.blanketmagazine.com

Marguerite Sauvage illustrated for Gardasil’s new ad campaign. The ads are meant to mimic a page in teen girl’s notebook and can be seen in magazines and on Gardasil’s collateral material and website.

Catalina Estrada is featured in the current issue of Varoom magazine (UK). Varoom explores the world of illustration, featuring illustrators from around the world who are making significant contributions to the industry. The magazine is published three times a year, inviting noted illustrators to contribute a visual essay on any subject they choose to each issue.

www.varoom-mag.com

Red Nose Studio’s series of illustrations for Norwegian appliance company ASKO has not only been recognized in the US and Norway, but now internationally as well. Two of the ads in the Built to Look After You campaign were nominated for a Press Lion in the Home Appliances & Furnishings category at the 2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Last year, the festival, now in it’s 55th year, attracted more than 9,000 delegates from 85 countries to view nearly 26,000 pieces of work, attend 45 seminars, 20 workshops and catch 4 awards ceremonies. The campaign was art directed by Norwegian ad agency SMFB so thanks and congratulations go out to Hans, Andre, Vibeke and everyone else on the SMFB team!

2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival

Ben Shannon is exhibiting in Ode to Edo: Legacy of the Samurai, a group show that will feature a collection of 14 Samurai armor sets and paintings by 21 contemporary artists. Thirty limited edition silkscreen prints of the poster illustrated by Kagan McLeod will be available for sale, as well as a set of small “jam” drawings created by the artists. The show is being presented by Jerome Jenner Gallery and will take place at SMASH in Toronto. Some of the other artists participating in the show include Amro Attia, Hiroshi Hirakawa, Kurt Ketchum, Charlotte Greenwood and Yukiko Utso, among others. The show runs from Thursday, June 19th  until Monday, June 30th, 2008.

Opening reception: Thursday, June 19th, 2008, 7-11pm

SMASH 2880 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON

Catalina Estrada illustrated for Brazilian author Paulo Coelho’s Joy Diary for 2009. The book features a different illustration for each month alongside quotes taken from the author’s best-loved titles. Joy is published by Barcelona-based literary agency, Sant Jordi Asociados, and is available in 19 countries.

Sant Jordi Asociados

Last month’s wake themed book launch party for Graham Roumieu’s newest book Bigfoot: I Not Dead was a spectacular success. The concept of a wake clearly resonated with people as The Gladstone Hotel management estimated the crowd at well over 250, which is about a hundred over capacity.

Each of the ‘eulogists’ did a wonderful job. Much like a real wake, their testimonials contradicted one another with five eulogists presenting five bigfoots; Douglas Bell’s intellectual, Sean Cullen’s zen master, Jeremy Keehn’s clandestine lover, Damian Rogers’s soulful hipster bassist, Nathan Whitlock’s philanderer and Michael Winter’s practical joker. Tim Beresford, the host, was hilarious and the acoustic guitar “candle in the wind” was the perfect choice to end evening.

Although a good portion of the crowd had a copy of Bigfoot: I Not Dead under their arm as they walked in, an astonishing 79 additional copies were sold that night. We hope Graham’s inspired inscription for the Bigfoot poster - “buy book at Pages or me kill you” - will drive sales for months to come.

Thanks to Pages Books and Magazines, The Walrus, Penguin and The Gladstone Hotel for a wonderful event and please check out the pics of the evening if you missed the fun.

All photos courtesy of Chris Reed. Thanks, Chris!

Damian Rogers

 Douglas Bell

Graham Roumieu

Michael Winter

Nathan Whitlock

Sean Cullen

Tim Beresford

Red Nose Studio created a series of illustrations for DNA’s new national ad and marketing campaign. Based in Finland, DNA is a telecommunications company that offers customers cellular, cable and phone services. The series of illustrations feature a pink super-hero type DNA character that physically morphs into helpful tools for cell phone users. In various ads the character’s arms turn into scissors, a ladder and clippers, liberating the cell phone user from classic cell phone troubles. The campaign of print ads and collateral material will only be seen in Finland, but can also be viewed on the DNA website.

Marguerite Sauvage will be exhibiting work at the third annual Wi-filles Party in Paris. The event takes place at Door Studios, a converted factory that is now home to photographers, designers and architects and includes a photography studio, gallery and reception hall. The party takes place on June 23rd, 2008 from 8:30 to 11:30pm and will also feature the work of Adolie Day.

Door Studios: 9 - 9bis Rue Lesdiguières, 75004 Paris