We are certainly excited for the unveiling of Subtext’s latest, the work of Jolby, at the opening Saturday, February 21 6-10 pm.

Jolby (Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols) tell a story about what “home” really means inside the depths of an aging forest filled with odd characters, illustrious patterns, vibrant colors, and hand-rendered type. The show tells this imaginative story using a variety of mediums including screen prints, paintings, drawings, and even detailed handmade plush dolls.

Definitely plan to stop by Subtext’s Grand Re-opening Friday, January 16th at their new gallery space at 2479 Kettner — on the corner of Kettner and Laurel right across from the Casbah. Sezio will be bringing in The Traditionist at 9 pm, and Frank Rogozienski, who began his “Picture a Day” project in January of 2008, will be exhibiting the results of that day by day journey – from back alleys to portraits to dead flies.

Bring your coin purse to CONSPIRE because you’ll encounter shirts, books, and other creative novelties from some of your favorite local independent retailers, including Micreation, Subtext, Velo Cult, and Hi Octane Jewelry. Hand screenprinted shirts and prints will also be available from graphic design masterminds Josh Higgins and Acamonchi.

Now located at 2220 Fern Street, Velo Cult is South Park’s newest bicycle shop and a dealer of high end and custom frames, rims, and accessories. With a strong presence in SD’s vibrant bike community and as a great supporter of local art, Velo Cult breaks the stereotypes of what one would expect from your typical bike shop.  We daresay their blog and shop are works of art in themselves!

Subtext, one of our favorite sources for inspiration and all things design, is settling into a new location right across from the Casbah on Kettner & Laurel. Subtext showcases urban contemporary, pop surrealist, and lowbrow artists from around the globe. We’re coming up on a great time to get over to the new space and check out their next show from January 16th to February 15th – 366: New Works by Frank Rogozienski – a photographer who dedicated himself to capturing 366 images (it’s a leap year) one day at a time.

Hi Octane Jewelry is run by Oceanside based hot rod enthusiasts and metal smiths Brad Johnson and Alicia Hanson. Their inspiration emerges in the form of auto-inspired sterling silver jewelry, including car grille rings and one-of-a-kind salvaged car emblems creatively reconstructed into necklaces.

Micreation showcases a line of hoodies, shirts, and hats with an evolved message behind the art. In their words, “Out of chaos comes form – stars become galaxies, individuals become societies, ideas become reality. Creativity is the language of nature.” Check out their goods here!

Sanctuary143 is proud to co host Thursday’s Cause for Drinks event at the Whistle Stop in South Park (5-8 pm). $2 of every drink goes toward planting and saving indigenous tree life, so drink up my friends and meet up with creative peeps from SD looking to do good…even while we drink. [www.plantit2020.org]

If you are a lover of the Lucky Cat like we are (and that means you Linsey!), you best be marking your calendar for Friday 11/14/08 (6-10 pm) to be at Subtext. They have gathered nearly 50 artists from around the globe for the Miao show to do their own custom take on the Miao toy, Zakkamono’s reinterpretation of the Lucky Cat, and it sounds awesome. Get inspired? Buy one at the show and then be the artist and make your own with this handy kit!

For s143′s San Diego weekend picks, DEFINITELY stop over to one of s143′s fave shops Subtext in Little Italy (680 W Beech St.) on Friday 10/10 6-10 pm for the Lost at Sea opening for CJ Metzger and Miss Mindy — an aquatic art adventure.

This is a big one… You’re going to have to multi task, people, because also on Friday from 6-10 pm fellow evolutionary artist collective, the Adapta Project, hosts Marking Territory at UCSD’s The Loft, designed by San Diego master designers Bells & Whistles.

On Saturday (especially if you loved Jorge’s Reinventing the Wheel piece), check out artist Jorge Tellaeche’s The Origin exhibit at 4 Walls in North Park from 7-10 pm.

Check out Aaron Thomas’s mischievous devils at Subtext in San Diego’s Little Italy Friday, September 5th 6-10 pm! (They’ll be up through October 5th.)

Update: We checked these out at Subtext, and you must see these in person. They are so cool.