Some of these picks aren’t necessarily spaces that opened in 2009 or the newest NPOs that have popped up on the map, but since I’ve just crawled out from under a rock, all of them are new to me, and all of them are pretty amazing.   While there’s certainly the need for political and social discourse in contemporary art, and some of these picks reflect that, I also wanted to have a little bit of fun with it, because, really, that’s why most of us start out making art in the first place, isn’t it? Best Guilty Pleasure:  Regretsy Culling the dregs of actual Etsy listings for the most outrageous of the absurd, Regretsy has become a fast growing phenomenon.   In addition to giving us the fast track way to purchase fine quality items such as a necklace made from secondhand false teeth or an Ellen Degeneres themed fanny pack for cats, Regretsy now has products of its own, and a book is in the works.  I can’t wait to see what the internet craps out next. > Best Use of Space:  The Sometimes Store After kicking an ex to the curb, Venus Zine cutie Christine Bejasa made the most of it by making a fresh start and a little bit of money.  Turning her extra square footage into a vintage store with a few of her colleagues has been a boon for Bejasa, and is a welcome addition to Pilsen.  With themed sales, low prices, and adorable goods, The Sometimes Store does more than just compete with similar vintage stores where prices seem to get higher and higher.  This is much appreciated, because, let’s face it, most people who like to buy vintage clothing are in the know about where it comes from, and are just too lazy to go get it.  Ok, maybe that’s just me. ) Best Artist Retreat:  Harold Arts Summer Residency Harold Arts’ Summer Residency program in Chesterhill, Ohio, is like a summer camp for grown ups… Well, if you consider artists to be grown ups.  Located on the Jeffers Tree Farm, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, resident visual artists and musicians can work on their art, attempt new projects, or participate in collaborative work without getting distracted by day jobs, porn, or endless Law and Order episodes.  Sign me up. > Best Art Duo:  The Amazing Hancock Brothers With their balls-out approach to printmaking and art in general, John and Charles Hancock have been popping up all over the map this year.  From their printmaking battle at this year’s Southern Graphics Council’s convention, to the 80+ artist drawing show they organized in Waco, Texas, of all places, the brothers have been giving the finger to the traditional “white cube” nation-wide.  What more could you expect from two half Japanese Texans whose prints feature naked ladies and fezzes.  Besides, John’s had the honor and privilege of being featured as a Vice Do.  What could be more badass than that? > Best Collective:  Industry of the Ordinary I actually had a hard time figuring out what to call Industry of the Ordinary, and “Best Awesome Thing” seemed a bit vague, so I went with collective.  More important than what they’re called, is what they do.  Since their 2003 inception, Industry of the Ordinary has been creating interactive projects on the seemingly banal elements of everyday life to explore topics like consumerism, marketing, fear, and terrorism.  While this has the potential to be intensely dull, Industry of the Ordinary is miraculously engaging and relevant.  While IOTO has produced many provocative, politically charged projects, my guilty pleasure is their call for a couple engaged in an extramarital affair.  Makes me wish I were having one. > Best New Gallery:  Fill in the Blank Gallery Just because they’re the new kids on the block, doesn’t mean that Fill in the Blank isn’t up and running full-force.  This small, women-run gallery is an exhibition space, but these ladies are more about engaging with the community.  They offer classes and workshops, accept open submissions from artists, and host a variety of events that appeal to more than just scenesters out for a free glass of wine and some snarky commentary.  Their website also features a blog and artist interviews so fans can keep up with what’s what.  Let’s face it these gals have their shit together in a way that makes me insanely jealous.  Maybe they can offer a workshop about that.