Adelaide’s Sala Festival kicks off next week, a chance for those in Adelaide) or visiting Adelaide to check out what is happening in the local visual arts scene. As usual there are always some highlights for those looking for some design inspiration, here’s a few that have piqued my interest:

100 artist from South Australia and around the world have customised their own Schaffas toy, I’m not exactly sure what that is, but there’s some excellent talent involved, including Yianni Hill, Sector 7g, Mash Design and more. It’s being held in the foyer of Black Sheep Advertising, first floor, 187 Rundle Street, Adelaide from August 8-22.

David Reid has an exhibition of evocative works on paper concerning the elegant, elegaic and slightly anarchic qualities of Fallen Bikes in the City of Shanghai. It’s on at Rigonis Bistro, 27 Leigh Street, Adelaide from July 31-August 21.

Adelaide’s Rundle Lantern will be displaying works by 8 Adelaide artists from July 30-August 22.

The Khai Liew Collectors showcase will feature collaborations between Khai Liew and six pre-eminent Australian artists, with each artist’s work integrated within an individual, one-off design by Liew. It’s on at 165 Magill Road, Magill during the festival. This years festival book, in collaboration with Wakefield Press will be a monograph on Khai Liew’s furniture design.

Trent Parkes is the first Australian to become a full member of the renowned photographers cooperative Magnum Photo Agency and is considered one of the most innovative and challenging photographers of his generation. He will be showing a collection of his work from the last 14 years at the Hugo Mitchell Gallery, 260 Portrush Road, Beulah Park from July 29-August 28.

Every designer loves sneakers, Pros & Cons is an exhibition of works of art created by 30 graphic designers out of pairs of blank Converse hightops. Organised by the Australian Graphic Design Association, the works will be on display at Pipsqueaks 2/90 Glen Osmond Road, Parkside from August 3-21. All artworks are for sale with proceeds donated to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation. Full event details can be seen at the AGDA website events page.

Artwork in various media by Children’s Book Illustrators, from original design concepts to the final illustrations, will be on display at the Marion Cultural Centre, 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park from August 6-29.

Russell Leonard and Joseanne Visentin’s show ‘I Feel a Sin Coming On’ will feature quirky graphic tea towel designs that are 1950s inspired, edgy, sensual and symbolic. On at Curious Orange Haircutters, 4 Elizabeth Street, Croydon from July 29-August 21.

And of course that’s a lot else on out there to see and experience, so go and get amongst it.