Maven Art Collective is a new arts community in Second Life open to all those who produce and present art via the platform Life, be they in-world photographer-artists, physical world artists using Second life as a medium to reach a broader audience and / or 3D artists working in prims or mesh.
Founded by Amari Maven of Maven’s rentals, working with artist Janus Fall (the collective’s Art Director), the collective is based in one quarter of Maven Isle. Focused on a large main events and exhibition hall, together with a garden space for 3D art, the Maven Art Quarter also provides individual boutique gallery spaces free of charge for artists wishing to display and sell their art.
Maven Art Collective, August 2026
However, there is one small catch (so to speak): Maven Art Collective is about involvement, not just providing space. Those joining will be asked to actively engage with the Collective by participating in group events, mounting their own (or joint) exhibitions and helping promote the Collective and art in Second Life as a whole. Which, in return for a free gallery space is a very fair exchange.
If you are interested in joining the Collective, please contact Janus Fall or Amari Maven in-world.
Inaugural Exhibition
Maven Art Collective, August 2026 – inaugural exhibition
Friday, August 7, 2026 saw the opening of the Collective’s inaugural exhibition within the main gallery space, featuring current Collective members Anja (Neobookie); Sisi Biedermann; Zia Branner; Cass (cassandra Ushimawa); Alexandra Costanza; Duraya; Hadiya Draper; Eta (etamae); Sharon Emerald (3d Dismantled); Janus Fall; Leica Frame (LeicaFrame); Kayly Iali ; JakeloveAdeer; Life Suki and WVP (Traci Ultsch). Together, the artists offer a rich blending of art and expression to present an excellent and engaging exhibition.
As well as exhibitions like this, the main gallery and spaces within the Collective’s Art Quarter will be used to promote art in Second Life through special events, showcases and celebrations across the artistic medium.
Maven Art Collective, August 2026 – inaugural exhibition
Again, if you are an artist interested in becoming an active member of the Maven Art Collective, do be sure to contact Janus or Amari in-world.
If you appreciate artistic expression in Second Life, do be sure to pop along to the gallery for this first exhibition – and, if you are so minded, don’t forget to subscribe to the Collective’s in-world Group to keep abreast of news and updates!
Japanese Garden at Hope Island – click any image for full size
Located in the sky over Project Hope Island is the simply named Japanese Garden, the work of the wonderfully named Sharpy Fhang. It’s a place perfectly described by its name, sitting as it does cupped within the palm of surrounding hills above which a morning Sun is casting its rays to create an aurora-like treetop haze before falling across a Zen garden winding between the trees and through torii gates.
Walk and explore the Japanese Garden at Project Hope. Come and explore, sit and reflect, visit the music garden, or just enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls and feel the serenity at this inspirational garden of peace and happiness.
– Japanese Garden at Project Hope Destination Guide description
Japanese Garden at Hope Island, August 2026
This is a place of sublime peace and beauty, where the sound of water bubbling along little brooks and streams harmonises with the call of birdsong whilst lanterns and lamps illuminate the many paths, silent guides for visitors ready to explore the garden and all it has tucked within it.
These paths are all unhurried in the directions they take or in the time they takes to reach anywhere in particular; there is no reason to hurry; places to sit are plentiful, pools of gravel set aside of gentle dancing contrast with the large central body of water spanned by a large bridge alongside of with lanterns gently float. The land climbs gently as it moves further away from the Landing Point, flattened stone steps placed in little groups as if easing the ascent further.
Japanese Garden at Hope Island, August 2026
Fed by streams the bubble down to it through narrow channels, sometimes ducking under rocks before reappearing the central large pond reflects natural and artificial light in gentle ripples, koi carp swimming just under the its surface. The paths loop gently around it, whilst red crowned crane wads its shallows, content to share the water with the fish below rather than trying to make a meal of them.
A small hot spring borders the pond for those who feel the need to soothe tired muscles, whilst at its upper end where water from one of the garden’s streams enters it, a further sign of harmony can be found as cats and songbirds share a little plank bridge, content to sit and sleep together as the water trips over stones and rocks below them.
Japanese Garden at Hope Island, August 2026
Whichever branch of the paths visitors take from the Landing Point, they all eventually meet with one another, allowing the waters of the garden to be circumnavigated and the gentle climb up to the northern end of the gardens to be completed.
Take the path offered by the red bridge and it will pass by way of a pagoda-like bell tower and a gated entrance and a cobblestone path reaching out to a bench overlooked by a tall waterfall. Skirt the edge of the pond in the other, and you might find yourself passing little shelters, shrines and a place to enjoy steaming delicacies (just don’t disturb the cats!).
Japanese Garden at Hope Island, August 2026
The most northern end of the garden is the preserve of a large single-floored house. Open to the public, it features two large wings of two rooms apiece, a linking hallway passing over waters flowing out from the falls just behind the house.
It is here that the music retreat in the Garden’s description can be found, complete with a koto for those who wish to play it. For those who might find the hot springs a little too much like broiling themselves, there is a large cold water pool sitting between the house and the cobbled path out to the waterfall overlook.
Japanese Garden at Hope Island, August 2026
There is one little quirk within the setting which may not be immediately obvious. It sits overhead as if watching over the gardens and appears accessible to anyone visiting, although I didn’t spot any obvious means of getting up to it other than a sit TP. It’s a quirky little addition to the garden below, yet somehow it still “fits”.
With plenty of opportunities for wandering or spending time in solo contemplation or with a friend, Japanese Garden at Project Hope is a peaceful and engaging setting – an ideal spot for recharging one’s batteries.
Savoy Rooftop Gallery: Babs Belmonte – Atmospheric Second Life
Currently being hosted through until the end of August 2026 at the Savoy Rooftop Gallery, Creations Park is Atmospheric Second Life, a collection of photographs captured by Babs Belmonte (Babette Bellios) from across Second Life.
This is an engaging collection of 40+ images showing Second life in its many facets as a world of natural beauty by capturing popular locations across the grid and presenting them in a manner which encourages the eye and imagination.
Savoy Rooftop Gallery: Babs Belmonte – Atmospheric Second Life
Presented in a variety of styles from near-watercolour in look and wash (such as Deadwood, Forgotten Waters, and Still Among the Reeds) through to bordering on photo-real (e.g. Silent Anchorage, Towards Tranquillity, The Sentinels and Moonlight), thee collection is reached varied in its approach to its subject as befitting the nature of Second Life. In doing so, they also underscore the artist’s sensitivity to the places she captures and her use of both EEP and post-processing to create both mood and narrative.
The latter two – mood and narrative – is evidenced throughout. These are not only pieces intended to reflect Second Life, but to draw one into it; framing, cropping, focus all serve to generate a story behind each piece, one that reaches beyond its title to draw the audience into it. As a further individual example – The Quiet Way – it immediately draws the eye across the rickety bridge and instils a desire to see what lies within the grove of trees on the other side.
Savoy Rooftop Gallery: Babs Belmonte – Atmospheric Second Life
I have been capturing the beauty of Second Life through photography for several years, and I continue to be inspired by the incredible diversity I discover as I explore its ever-changing landscapes and communities. Every image is a reflection of the unique moments, creativity, and atmosphere that make Second Life such a remarkable virtual world.
– Babs Belmonte describing her Second life photography and her inspiration
Savoy Rooftop Gallery: Babs Belmonte – Atmospheric Second Life
I also confess to loving the appearance of photobombing within Welcome to the Beach. This is just utterly delightful and, being alongside the exhibition’s landing / entry point, it really opens the mind to appreciating all that Babs has brought together for this exhibition.
Loosely split into a series of themed elements – nature, seascapes, and the “artistic every day”, all of which flow one into the next such that they gently overlap rather than being rigidly demarked, Atmospheric Second Life is a richly engaging collection.
Savoy Rooftop Gallery: Babs Belmonte – Atmospheric Second Life
[REN] & Café Bar Manoaya, August 2026 – click any image for full sizeOver the past few years I’ve enjoyed occasional visits to [REN], an engaging parcel designed and held by Noa (Noa Cloud) in western Nautilus. For much of its existence it has been curated as a tranquil haven of imagination, a place to visit and appreciate, witness art or relax within on your own or with friends.
More recently, and due to physical world commitments, Noa has had to scale back on the overall size of [REN], reducing it (for the present, at least) to some 4,350 sq metres. This is more than enough, however, for [REN] to become the home to Café Bar Manoaya and to continue to offer a quiet retreat.
[REN] & Café Bar Manoaya, August 2026The café sits within a Japanese summer house set little back from a beach of golden sand, a ribbon of sunflowers hydrangea and wildflowers separating the one from the other. A terrace and flagstone steps form the public connection between the beach and café, with the terrace given over to cats and rabbits rather than the more usual tables and chairs to help maintain a feeling of space to breathe.
There is a gentleness to the parcel which helps encourage that since of peace and freedom to relax. A path circles the café, passing by way of a cluster of small waterfalls dropping gracefully into a rock pool to where tall curtains of bamboo have been pulled across the cliffs behind the café to soften their granite faces.
[REN] & Café Bar Manoaya, August 2026There is a raised platform at the back of the café for those who prefer sitting outdoors, green tea and shaved ice fruits treats waiting to entice.
More cushions for sitting outdoors can be found tucked between the rear wings of the café, and while it is possible that some of the feline patrons might either object to a human presence there – or demand payment by fussing them in return for intrusions into their garden space. However, two of them at least appear to have found a focus for attention which might preclude their interest in any human interlocutors (although the subjects of that attention probably wish this were otherwise, and the cats in question would indeed find more interest into and humans happening to sit down here!).
[REN] & Café Bar Manoaya, August 2026My favourite aspect of the setting, however, is the octagonal summer house on the east side of the the land and set slightly further back from the beach than the café. Within it can be found a kind of sanctum sanctorum for a multipotentialite whose interests encompass lepidopterology, national histories (notably South Africa and France) marine life, gemology and music. And there is something utterly relaxing in sitting there and listening to the cello music (whether or not you opt to try the cello yourself!).
Taken as a whole, Café Bar Manoaya and its surrounds make for a charming visit.
The Java Bean Café, August 2026
The same is true of a visit to The Java Bean Café, albeit for different reasons. Created and operated by Katie J. Ronas (Katrina Flowers), it is located on the central southern coast of Corsica, close to the waterway running up from Chopsaw to Skains. Despite the general sense of bustle to the area, it is a peaceful haven keeping itself tidily separated from any possible hubbub of boats arriving and departing the moorings just beyond its south wall.
Surrounded on three sides by waters flowing into it via a corner channel alongside those moorings, The Java Bean Café uses a curtain of maple, weeping willow and other trees as well as the noise-deflecting walls to offer a sense of cool detachment and peace from the more general goings-on beyond its boundaries.
The Java Bean Café, August 2026
A large deck extends out over the shallows of the waters to the front of the café, not as a place for small boats to come alongside (the entrance to the cove in which The Java Bean sits is guarded by a large semi-submerged rock to discourage this anyway) but to offer patrons outdoor seating and the opportunity to play table-top games or simply watch the floating lanterns drifting between the lilies guarding the waterside edges of the deck.
The café occupies a large, predominantly wooden framed and sided structure with large windows, high ceilings and skylights giving it a light, airy feel which encourages a sense of ease and desire to get comfortable with a really good coffee – particularly in the four deep armchairs ranged before the large stone fireplace (which would likely be a popular spot in winter!), whilst the back room presents a space for larger visiting parties to enjoy.
The Java Bean Café, August 2026
This a setting focused very much on the idea of a café being a social centre; a place to come to and spend time together without feeling the need to explore or to distract. True, there are the games out on the deck – but these don’t have to be be played; those who wish to to can sit at them, chat and watch the frogs hopping and round the lily pads and the dragonflies flitting around, deftly avoiding the attention of any of those frogs who might might be eyeing them as a possible snack.
Rounded-out by a summertime soundscape of singing birds (and croaking frogs!), The Java Bean is nicely presented and cosy.
Kondor Art Centre, August 2026: Janus Fall – Union of Opposites
Within Jungian psychology, the Union (or Unity) of Opposites – also referred to as individuation – is the idea that the ego, the conscious part of the personality that interacts with the external world, must acknowledge and integrate with the “shadow” – the darker, repressed elements of our personality – if we are to achieve balance within ourselves and so gain personal growth and fulfilment of purpose.
It’s a profound concept when you consider that most of our societies through history have been or are predicated on acceptance and rejection of both personality traits and emotional states, rather than seeking to integrate them. We are constantly told to only listen to our “better angels” and reject our “demons”; men are often expected to embrace strength (or stoicism) and reject weakness (or vulnerability), whilst women have often been expected to do the reverse: accept meekness and reject self-assertion, and so on.
Kondor Art Centre, August 2026: Janus Fall – Union of Opposites
In her remarkable exhibition Union of Opposites, which opened at the Kondor Art Centre on July 30, Janus Fall uses a series of captivating avatar studies to present the idea that beauty is found through the integration of opposing elements of our psyche and the harmony of contrasts. In doing so, she also explores the idea of individuation and reminds us of an important lesson.
Given that Second Life avatars remain very limited in their ability to non-verbally communicate much of anything let alone the workings of the ego or the inner “shadow”, the 15 pieces Janus presents nevertheless powerfully communicate of idea that the opposites and contrasts within us form a more unified whole.
Kondor Art Centre, August 2026: Janus Fall – Union of Opposites
They do so through a refined and quite captivating mix of technique and presentation, not just of the avatars themselves – in which expression is marvellously used, given the limitations noted above – but in the backgrounds and the use of colour and geometry. Each piece is a triumph of communication of the exhibition’s themes, whilst also standing as an exquisite work of art in its own right.
Accompanying the pieces are text elements. Some appear drawn from psychology / psychiatry, some from religious texts, some appear to be from Janus herself. All serve to to further challenge our thinking and perception of self and wholeness.
Kondor Art Centre, August 2026: Janus Fall – Union of Opposites
It’s been three years since I last covered an exhibition by Janus, and her work remains as powerful and thought-provoking now as it was then, carrying within it an inherent ability to present concepts, ideas and essays on the nature of self in a marvellously visual a manner.
Contemporary wisdom encourages us to “find” our balance and purpose by looking outside of ourselves, and that once found, that they are somehow immutable. Through Union of Opposites, Janus reminds us that balance and purpose come from within; that, like beauty, they arise from the constant integration of the contrasting qualities of our psyche.
Paging through the Destination Guide I came across an entry for Outpost Bay, sitting within the region hosting The Boathouse, and which at the time of my last visit has been a private space for Sorcha. So, intrigued, I had to pop over and have a look.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
Listen to the gentle sound of waves and birds as you take a peaceful stroll down to the beach and relax by the vintage changing huts. When you’re ready, wander into the cosy Concept Store to pick up a fresh coffee, breakfast, and something good to read. Settle in at a table on the deck to enjoy the morning sea breeze, or head over to the lighthouse and take a boat out on the water. Outpost Bay is a warm, rustic place made for slowing down, unwinding, and living in the moment.
– Outpost Bay Destination Guide Entry
Outpost Bay, July 2026
One of the things I really appreciate with Sorcha’s designs is how she can take a relatively small space and turn it into something that is inviting and encouraging of visits.
The Boathouse Café, for example sits on 3120 sq metres; Outpost Bay is barely bigger, sitting on a 3136 sq metre parcel. Yet both are visually impressive and photogenic, carrying plenty of detail without either parcel ever feeling overcrowded.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
Given the two locations are within the same themed region (and sitting just across a water channel from one another), they share something of a similar look, both in terms of the flora and the buildings present on them.
This is not a critique: by using the same flora and similar architecture, Sorcha creates a sense of continuity flowing between the two islands – and with the rest of the estate. It also suggests that both islands were developed as little places of commerce around the same time, the buildings sharing ta wooden construction style as they were built around the same time and shared the same readily-available materials in the form of the trees growing on them.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
With Outpost Bay, the main building was once a warehouse-come-seafood market, the original signage conjuring images of fishing boats coming alongside and their catch going from boat through cleaning to sale.
Now, however, the building serves as a café-come-store (do note that the doors are phantom, rather than opening, so just walk through them). It’s a little tired inside, to be sure – perhaps a statement to its frequent use – but there is more seating outside on a wooden deck for those who prefer.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
The one exception to the dominance of wooden buildings in both settings is the tall white tower of Outpost Bay’s lighthouse. This looks out over a rocky corner of the island which might cause boats passing along the channel between it and the next island over.
With the lighthouse and café located on the east side of the island, the rest is relatively open as a wild garden which partially surrounds the cafe’s deck before giving way to a cosy beach alongside a short, rocky length of coastline.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
The sands of the beach is patrolled by godwits and watched over by ibis whilst offering humans a place to relax and enjoy the summer Sun.
There is a main path wandering through the setting, and it does so in a manner intended to reveal rather than simply lead, winding out from the cafe’s deck it gently reaches out to the lighthouse and the beach, allowing people to gently explore and discover many of the little touches Sorcha has placed around the setting.
Outpost Bay, July 2026
In all – and as I noted with The Boathouse Café – Outpost Bay is an utterly delightful setting with a lot to offer for those seeking to relax and those wishing to take photos. Individually or taken together, these are locations well worth visiting.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 