Abstract selection
Painter Octavia Mogil challenges convention in an exhibition of retrospective works in Port Chalmers.
Mogil is a disciple of neo-geo tribalism, which she incorporates in her work.
"Fun is an Art", a selection of her large and small abstract works, is on at the Deluxe Gallery at 26 George St, Port Chalmers, until December 30.
'Messiah' at Town Hall
The City of Dunedin Choir presents Handel's Messiah in the Dunedin Town Hall next week.
Soprano Emma Fraser, mezzo-soprano Wendy Dawn Thompson, tenor David Hamilton, baritone Robert Tucker and Dunedin secondary school singers will join the choir.
The Southern Sinfonia will support the production, with more than 160 musicians.
Handel's Messiah is on at 7.30pm on Tuesday in the Dunedin Town Hall.
Antarctic revisited
Dunedin artist Claire Beynon revisits the Antarctic in an illustrated talk at Portobello Aquarium tonight.
Beynon has spent two seasons at the white continent, working in collaboration with United States polar scientists, and will reveal the calligraphic beauty of ice and hidden secrets of the microcosmic world beneath its surface.
The talk, which is a fundraising event for the Anna and John Caselberg Charitable Trust, also includes rare underwater film footage.
It starts at 7pm and ticketsare $20, which includes wine and seafood.
Solo exhibition
Warrington artist Maria Mackay has her first major solo exhibition in Waitati tomorrow.
"Islands and Islets" is a selection of recent works with cellular and animal themes.
Mackay has been painting for nearly 30 years, specialising in landscapes, people and animals.
"Islands and Islets" opens at 6pm tomorrow at Gallery on Blueskin and runs till December 20.
Awards hat trick
Dunedin artist Geoff Williams made it a hat trick of trophies at the conclusion of the Otago Art Society's 2009 City of Dunedin Art Awards exhibition last weekend.
The former signwriter won the people's choice award, with My Little Mokopuna, which was voted for during the month-long exhibition at the Art Station.
Williams also won the merit award and mayor's choice award.
The last Otago Art Society exhibition for the year, "Pick `n' Mix", opens at the Art Station on December 12 and runs until January 31.
Christmas show
The Dowling St Project is holding a Christmas show this weekend.
The project is a loose collective of artists who all work from studio spaces at 20a Dowling St, in Milford House.
The show includes works by artists Sam Foley, Craig Freeborn, Guy Howard-Smith, Liz Rowe, Anya Sinclair, Alan Ibell, Charlotte Parallel, Anna Perry and Jo Robertson.
The exhibition opens at 5.30pm tomorrow and will be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Celebrating home garden
Otago Peninsula Potters potter-in-residence at Glenfalloch Jodie Austin joins painter Pauline Bellamy in a combined exhibition opening this weekend.
"Elderflower Champagne and Starling Soup" celebrates the simple pleasures of the home garden and local produce.
"Elderflower Champagne and Starling Soup" opens on Sunday at Bellamys Gallery in Macandrew Bay and runs until December 25.
