Hey Perthlings, I’ve been informed of an art show opening this weekend called “Sentience: an exhibition on life.”  Sentience is an initiative of Perth-based organisation Animal Rights Advocates Inc.

Here’s some more information.

 ANIMAL SENTIENCE ON DISPLAY IN NORTHBRIDGE
16-21 JANUARY 2011, KURB GALLERY
Featuring work by a variety of international and Australian artists across a range of mediums, Sentience: an exhibition of life is a thought-provoking and ultimately rewarding display of art exploring the feeling, perception and individuality of animals other than humans.

The exhibition will be open for viewing from:
10am-6pm from Sunday 16 January to Friday 21 January, 2011,
at Kurb Gallery, 310 William Street, Perth, Western Australia.
**A special opening night event will run from 6pm-9pm on Sat 15 January.**

A sample piece from artist Yvette Watt

Artwork is available for purchase, with participating artists including:

• Alex Cearns
• Zaaron Crosby
• Sarah Davison
• Sharon Dawes
• Michelle Dawson
• Jasmeet Flora
• Gaye Godfrey-Nicholls
• Stephanie Ives
• Ramona Janssen
• Claude Jones
• Jo-Anne McArthur
• Ciara Moore
• Lottie Moore
• Yvette Watt

From the ARA press release:

“Sentience refers to self-awareness and the ability to experience a range of sensations and emotions, of feeling pain and suffering, and of experiencing a state of well being. Sentient animals are aware of their surroundings and of what happens to them.”

“Research is showing us that the lives of animals, including farmed animals, are much more complex than we previously understood. Research suggests that their social groupings, communication, feelings of pain, fear and anxiety, and the positive feelings of pleasure and play are vitally important to them.”

“It is these ideas of animal experience and personality that we wish to capture with the work of Sentience: an exhibition of life.”

• I’m not quite sure how this website works, but you can use it to get news updates from specific areas, like Toowoomba.
• Queensland Flood Pet Options has some resources on donations, hotlines, and how to contact Storage King who have been offering help. People have posted tips and more resources on their Facebook page.
• The Queensland RSPCA are updating their site regularly with news and resources and has a form to report lost and found pets.

Dozens of groups are holding fundraisers, and there are far to many to list here, but again feel free to comment or get in touch with me if you’d like to advertise your group’s event. Rumour has it there’s going to be an emergency Sydney Vegan Bake Sale to raise fund. Stay tuned for details.

Happy New Year! I hope that you all enjoyed a festive and relaxing holiday season. I know it was a much needed break for me, but I’m excited to now hit the ground running back here on vegaroo and announce the next Sydney Vegan Drinks night!

We’ll be back at The Hive Bar who hosted our last awesome event, at 93 Erskineville Road. The event is from 7-10 (or likely later…) on January 28th.

As usual we’ll have yummy vegan snacks and a list of vegan wine, beer, cocktail and mocktail options.

We’re asking for suggested donation of $5 from attendees.

I started asking for suggestions for beneficiaries, but when my friend Derek of Inner West Live alerted me to a recent attack on the penguins of Manly, I knew immediately that these were the animals I wanted to help! Penguins are my spirit animal, man!

You can view some news footage about the attacks here.

The money we raise will go to the Manly Environmental Centre who have a Penguin Warden program! I know what you’re thinking, “Where do I sign up???” Easy. Click here to learn more about penguin protection!

I’m really excited about this particular event and hope to see/meet many of you there.

If you’d like to come it would be cool if you RSVPed on our Facebook event and invited your friends!! If you’re not on Facebook you can just leave your RSVP as a comment here.

UPDATE: We just learned that a Vegan Drinks night is starting up in Melbourne, hosted by the lovely Carla of Easy as Vegan Pie. Their first night is also Jan 28 and you can read more here on their Facebook event.