Show me 'The Munny'

B'Zar on upper King Street and the Redux Contemporary Art Center will unveil "The Munny Show 2.0," the second exclusive vinyl toy exhibition in Charleston with an opening reception 6-11 p.m. Friday at the center, 136 St. Phillip St.

This will be an exhibition and auction of Munny vinyl toys that are custom designed by over 25 local and national artists, in addition to displaying the studio's own artwork. Select local businesses will also have designed toys on display.

"The exhibition brings together the global vinyl toy craze with a more personal artistic expression," says Seth Curcio of Redux.

The Munny doll is an 8-inch solid white or glow in the dark vinyl character produced by the company Kidrobot.

The sole purpose of the Munny is to have an unconventional blank canvas on which to create any conceivable type of character. Kidrobot has stores in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and New York. They also serve an international market of clients online. The company has fueled a global obsession for the urban vinyl toy movement.

Co-curated by Gustavo Serrano from B'Zar boutique and Seth Curcio of Redux, the purpose of "The Munny Show 2.0" is to feature and support the diverse underground local art scene as well as give back to the local community through youth-focused art programs.

"The partnership between B'zar and Redux will help to cultivate the local arts community, exploring an alternative art form that is new to the area, while supporting the future of our arts in Charleston through youth arts education," says Curcio.

All of the live-auction proceeds from this event will go to support Redux's free and local education and outreach initiatives. Local after-school programs that directly benefit from Redux's outreach programs include the Boys and Girls Club, the Cannon Street YMCA, and the Girl Scouts of America.

"The popularity of the vinyl toys at B'zar have sparked and continued the idea for the exhibition, and B'zar's eclectic lifestyle boutique has been the perfect platform to showcase innovative products such as the designer vinyl toys," says Curcio.

The artists involved range from graphic designers, painters, illustrators, graffiti artists, clothing and jewelry designers as well as many other artistic voices.

Some of the participating artists include Sheepman, Nathan Durfee, Kevin Taylor, Curcio, Julie Henson, Nathan Justiss, Olive*Argyle, Barzone, Nova, Jarod Charzewski, Scott Debus, Ishmael, Dalia Dalili, Wolfkid, Matthew Schrock, Nick Gerb, James Quinton, Proton, Carl Janes, Julio Cotto, Fumiha Tanaka, Max Grundy, Meta, Christina Rodino, Matthew Bowers and other artists still to be announced.

The following local businesses will also have their own Munny dolls: Charleston's Most Unique, Wonderland, Continuum, Fuel and Brown Derby.

For more information, contact Serrano at 579-2889 or gustavo@shopbzar.com. Curcio can be reached at 722-0697.

Check out the following Web sites to learn more about the Munny dolls and other Kidrobot toys: www.kidrobot.com/munny.

'Fabric workshop'

Learn how to create art with fabric at this free Fabric Creations Workshop taught by local artist Cookie Washington. Registration is required at least two days in advance and the class will be 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Meeting Place, 1077 East Montague Ave., North Charleston.

For more information on classes and workshops, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 745-1087 or culturalarts@northcharleston.com. Download registration forms at www.northcharleston.org.

Animals and the arts

The Charleston Animal Society (formerly the John Ancrum SPCA) will hold its fourth annual "A Furry Affair" gala, art event and auction on Saturday to help raise funds for the organization's new adoption center for abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

Paintings and sculptures are available for viewing and early bidding at www.bluetreemarketing.com/charlestonanimalsociety.

"The evening will feature one-of-a-kind works of art created by Charleston's most esteemed fine artists. There will also be auctions for gift certificates, event tickets and services contributed by many of Charleston's most generous businesses," says Kay Hyman, director of outreach and communications for the society.

The evening will culminate in a spirited live auction featuring trip packages and replica fire hydrants "decorated" by local and national celebrities, including some pieces by the cast of "Army Wives," Ann Marie from Animal Cops; local television anchors Angela May, Debi Chard and Brad Franko; and radio personalities Richard Todd, TJ Phillips, Gary Griffin, Brooke Ryan and Tom Bolt.

Nationally known designer Mary Norton, Mike Veeck of the Riverdogs, our own Bryce Donovan, and City of Charleston Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Classen will also add their special touches to the fire hydrants.

This event is being held to raise awareness of the plight of the over 12,000 animals that pass through the society's doors each year and to raise funds to support the works of the shelter.

"The Charleston Animal Society's mission is to promote responsible guardianship of domestic animals and to advocate the compassionate treatment of all animals. In order to accomplish our mission, we strive to promote temporary sanctuary to lost, abandoned, or abused domestic animals, promote adoption, provide medical care to indigent pets, eliminate overpopulation of animals with aggressive spay/neuter and education programs, provide education about responsible pet guardianship, reunite lost pets with their owners, reduce cruelty through stronger ordinances, investigations, partnerships and education," says Hyman.

The "Furry Affair" gala, art event and auction, will be held 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. Tickets are $75 per guest, a portion of which is tax deductible. Tickets can be purchased by calling 329-1546.

Visit www.charlestonanimalsociety.org for more information or call 329-1546 to purchase tickets.