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Who will win the trip to 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach?

The Rip Curl GromSearch series will go from strength to strength in 2012, with 12 stops to be held in Europe. in 4 countries: United Kingdom, France, Portugal and Spain. This year’s competition will finish in style, with the European Final taking place during the Rip Curl Pro, Peniche, Portugal (10-21 October).

Born in 1999 in Torquay, Australia, the Rip Curl GromSearch is a competition for young surfers under 16 years of age. Competitions are held simultaneously in different regions around the world : Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, New Zealand, USA and Europe, and culminate in the international final, which traditionally forms part of the legendary Rip Curl Pro Bell’s Beach in Australia (next edition April 2013).

Categories
The Rip Curl GromSearch is open to boys and girls, and is organised into 6 categories:
- Under 12s (born after 2000)
- Under 14s (born between 1998 & 1999)
- Under 16s (born between 1996 & 1997)

UK
- Porthcawl: 9-10 June
- Newquay: 21-22 July

Spain
- Santander: 2-3 June
- San Sebastian : 1-2 July
- Zierbena: 21-22 July

France
- Guidel: 16-17 June
- Anglet: 7-8 July
- Vieux-Boucau: 28-29 July
- Cap-Ferret: 4-5 August

Portugal
– Ericeira 26/27 August
– Caparica 1-2 September

The Euro Final will be held durting the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, from 10 to 21 October 2012.

Join us to the official Facebook page and win a lot of goodies during all summer - http://www.facebook.com/RipCurlGromSearchPresentedByPosca

Mitsubishi Pencil Co. has lent its support to a ‘Children in Need’ project, which creates a safe haven for young people in Liverpool.

‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ has transformed a rundown youth centre in a one-off special for the annual charity appeal.
The Big Build team took on their biggest project to date with the complete refurbishment of the Norris Green Youth Centre, a dilapidated youth facility in one of Liverpool’s most deprived areas.
The mammoth Big Build challenge was supported by a donation of 80 uni POSCA marker pens by Mitsubishi Pencil Co. to transform a huge wall space in the centre’s recreation room.

“We are thrilled to have been involved in this fantastic makeover. Norris Green Youth Centre helps young people to broaden their horizons and is a priceless facility for its local community.” commented Mitsubishi Pencil Co.

Artist Dave Bain used the uni POSCA markers to create a custom woodland mural, with help from fellow Bristol-based artist Loch Ness.

The 5m by 12m wall was transformed using a mixture of mediums. Matt vinyl paint was first applied with the design then being drawn directly on top using black uni POSCA marker pens ranging from fine tip up to extra broad chisel tip.

Working alongside a team of over 150 volunteers on site, Dave and Loch Ness had only four days to complete the mural, working in building site conditions throughout.

Dave commented: “The centre is used by a wide range of young adults aged from 12 right up to 20 years old, so I wanted to create a design that wasn’t too childish.

“The woodland theme aims to bring the outdoors inside and features colourful friendly characters that have a bit of an edge.

“uni POSCA marker pens worked well for this project because we had a large area to cover in a limited time and the pens are very fluid and easy to use.”

Norris Green gives a rare beacon of hope to the young people in the area, attracting at least 50 children every evening, seven days a week. With the help of the local community the huge workforce of tradesmen and volunteers fully refurbished and extended the centre to provide better facilities.

The team had to pull out all the stops; only having nine days to complete the whole restoration, which included fitting a new kitchen, installing three mezzanine floors and replacing the roof.

“The task was huge but everyone was really touched by the reactions of the staff and children when the results were revealed.” added Dave.

“Young people can sometimes be quite guarded when expressing emotions so I was pleasantly surprised by the gratitude and enthusiasm which they showed.”

Mitsubishi Pencil Company added: “The team put in an incredible effort to complete this project in such a short amount of time. Dave and Loch Ness have created an extraordinary piece which we hope will inspire visitors to the centre.”

Please visit our FlickR page to view some photography of the finished artwork - http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniball_uk/sets/72157627978115825/

The Big Draw’s Big Splash, the national launch for the 2011 Big Draw, part of the National Campaign For Drawing, attracted over 2000 participants to the London launch. Islington’s Kings Place and its surrounding canal-side area were transformed into a dynamic creative hub, with people of all ages involved in artistic activities. Lead artist, Hervé Tullet, known in France as the ‘Prince of Pre-school Books’, led three immensely popular workshops during the day, each with over 100 participants. Hervé uses POSCA exclusively in his work, and to illustrate his best-selling books. Thanks to POSCA’s sponsorship, more than 300 ‘doodlers’ used the water-based marker pens to cover massive sheets of paper with vibrant patterns. Whether 3 or 73, participants relished the versatility and impact of the pens and the freedom of expressive mark-making.

With megaphone in hand, and musicians playing in the background, Hervé guided the crowd through his imaginary recipes for ‘Scribble Delight’ and ‘Marmalade Magic’, and they responded eagerly with vibrant zig-zags, circles, squiggles and all! His latest book, Doodle Cook is yet another example of his masterful use of the entire range of Posca marker pens.

The entire event was a huge success, with around 2,000 participants. We have received great reports of Herve's workshops - everybody got very involved and really enjoyed them.

Launched as a one-day event in 2000, The Big Draw is now an annual month-long festival of over one thousand events across the UK. Every October, museums, galleries, heritage sites, libraries, schools and parks join in – inviting people of all ages to discover how drawing can connect them with their surroundings and the wider community.

uni POSCA has teamed up with fashion brand Lazy Oaf to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Supporting the London clothing label for the thrid consecutive year, uni POSCA sponsored the in-store celebrations at Fouberts Place and birthday party held at CAMP in Shoreditch.

To view photos from the event, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniball_uk/sets/72157627759941655/with/6240...

Mitsubishi Pencil Co. has lent its support to a ‘Children in Need’ project, which creates a safe haven for young people in Liverpool.

‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ has transformed a rundown youth centre in a one-off special which will kick-start a series of programmes for the annual charity appeal.

The mammoth Big Build challenge was supported by a donation of 80 uni POSCA marker pens by Mitsubishi Pencil Co. for use by artists Dave Bain and Loch Ness during the transformation.

Working alongside a team of over 150 volunteers on site, the artists only had four days to complete a bespoke mural, working in building site conditions throughout.

“We are thrilled to have been involved in this fantastic makeover. Dave and Loch Ness used uni POSCA to create an extraordinary piece which we are looking forward to people seeing when the show airs.” commented Stuart Barker, marketing manager for Mitsubishi Pencil Co.

DIY SOS: The Big Build is expected to be aired on Thursday 10th November at 9pm on BBC One.

Between July 2nd and 25th September 2011, POSCA was proud to support "STREET ART: CONTEMPORARY PRINTS FROM THE V&A" in Nottingham, UK.

This exhibition explores the ways Street Art has moved away from the painted wall into the medium of printmaking, creating distinctive, exciting visuals along the way. Drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum's (V&A) internationally renowned collection of prints, "Street Art: Contemporary Prints from the V&A" showcases established and emerging street artists, both British and international, including names such as Banksy, D*Face, Eine, Miss Tic, Shepard Fairey and Swoon.

This touring exhibition has been organised by the V&A and all the works are drawn from the museum's collection.

Accompanying "Street Art: Contemporary Prints from the V&A", Nottingham Castle hosted a series of events, talks, workshops and satellite exhibitions exploring contemporary Street Art printing themes and styles, as well as showcasing and supporting local talent.

To view photo's from the launch event, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniball_uk/sets/72157627473142337/.

Customers, Surfers and Holidaymakers in the South West of England added a splash of colour to their favourite possessions when the POSCA camper van tour hit the road during August

Called ‘Freedom to Create’, the tour started in Tiverton on August 11th before travelling across the South West coast until the 18th, giving people the chance to make their mark using vibrant POSCA marker pens.

Visitors to the POSCA camper van were able to customise any item they brought along, or added their own "art square" to a surfboard covered in a patchwork of designs that was created throughout the tour.

To view photos from the tour, please visit our FlickR photostream - http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniball_uk/sets/72157627312978611/

POSCA are pleased to be sponsoring the next event by the "crew"of artists who go by the name of the Dead Sea Mob in Brighton, UK on Thursday September 1st.

Here's how the Dead Sea Mob describe the event...

"It's no secret that The Mob considers Brighton our spiritual home and with the Captain all set to drop anchor and moor up on these shores, it will become our HQ and port of command. We're bringing the good people of this fair city a night we intend to be a spoil of riches, taking nods from the pen & ink sprawl, that is creative culture in Brighton, The Dead Sea Mob presents:

'The Night Shift Masquerade'

It's a momentus occassion on many levels, the night will see our past and present come colliding together with one mighty bang. It will be a baptisim of fire for our newest addition Dan Mumford, joining us for the first time as a fully-fledged Mob member . We will also be reunited with our brother and MEGA Mobster Ollie Munden, and bringing a touch of class and brass to the evening, the first lady with the balls to brave the Mob, Harriet 'Harry Draws Pictures' Seed. For what it's worth, we're always good for a few surprises.

If that wasn't enough, you'll see the usual suspects Tom J Newell, Godmachine & Drew Millward with pens at the ready and just itching to do some damage.

Thursday, September 1st on your calenders, should bear an X to mark the spot.
Join us at the Green Door Store, Undercroft, Brighton Train Station (at the top of Trafalger Street), Brighton BN1 4FQ
Doors open at 7- til late

All details can be found if you make your way to the Facebook event (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223376101042703), let us know you're coming, and we'll see you there!"

This year’s Craft, Hobby & Stitch International exhibition provided the ideal platform for Mitsubishi Pencil Company to promote its POSCA range.

Making its debut at the show, POSCA was showcased through an eye-catching interactive stand and a series of successful introductory workshops.

Europe’s number one trade show for the craft and hobby industry, the exhibition draws many influential buyers. Visitors to the POSCA stand were given samples of the water-based marker pen along with a usage guide outlining the countless applications which the product offers.

The UK marketing manager at Mitsubishi Pencil Company, said: “Across the three days of Craft, Hobby & Stitch International we were able to connect with a number of trade customers. The show presented us with a fantastic opportunity to speak directly to buyers that has resulted in a number of business leads.”

With a wealth of experience, freelance designer and illustrator Sharon Bennett is a respected figure in the craft industry and a keen advocate of POSCA. Available on the stand throughout the show, Sharon used an array of craft products and demonstrated the fantastic results that can be achieved using POSCA.

Sharon commented: “I was honored to attend the show and represent this artistic tool. POSCA provides the coverage of paint with the precision of a pen. Having tried many different products throughout my career I feel these marker pens offer unrivalled versatility and ink consistency.”

With opaque paint and fade-resistant pigments POSCA consistently deliver dense and vibrant colours on a wide range of surfaces.
To view a video from the show, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=252R3Gc5il8