Opening this evening, The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s exhibit “Return to Function” brings together contemporary artists who make functional objects that are useful. Ranging from vehicles to clothes to mobile studio units, the exhibit dissolves the line between fine art and applied art. The exhibit runs now through August 23rd and while you’re there, stop in at Fresco, MMoCA’s rooftop restaurant, to dine on seasonal ingredients and contemporary cuisine. Good art and good food… what more could you ask for?

Make a date for this Friday night, May 1^st, to stroll around the streets of Madison and enjoy the bi-annual Gallery Night. This is your opportunity to meet unique artists, tour museums and galleries, and enjoy refreshments and treats from participating local businesses. Choose to tour the East side, West side, Downtown or all three areas from 5-9pm. A list of all 59 venues is posted on MMoCA’s site.

Just because Earth Week is over, doesn’t mean you have to forget about being green. This Wednesday, April 29, AIGA WI is sponsoring an evening with Firebelly Design, a super-talented design firm dedicated to sustainable design. According to their website, Firebelly “believes in honest storytelling and genuine experiences—the sincere things that simply can’t be faked or forced.” Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how they do it—and how they sell the idea to clients to increase the impact of their work. Visit AIGA for more info. or show up at the Urban Ecology Center of Milwaukee at 7pm on Wednesday for a tour and presentation.

On Thursday, April 30th, the Fox River Ad Club is featuring the design event Student vs. World. Students will hear from guest speakers and recruiters as well as a panel of gold-belt creative professionals for some Q & A time. They will also participate in portfolio reviews, area agency tours, resume scans, and a poster design competition — all held at The Wave in Appleton. Deadline for entry is April 28th, so get movin’ and contact Eric at Infusion for more details. Students and professional volunteers welcome.

If you missed the independent film “Handmade Nation” at the Milwaukee Premiere or the Madison Film Fest, you still have a chance to view this documentary that follows the new wave of art, craft and design. Started in 2006 and filmed in over 15 cities, the film explores the marriage between historical techniques, punk and DIY while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. On Thursday, April 23rd, the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend will be showing the film from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy food and beer tasting and stick around after the show for a panel discussion with the film’s director (and Wisconsinite) Faythe Levine. Tickets are only available at the door for just $5, but seating is limited, so get there early. You can also read interviews on Design*Sponge with Faythe about the documentary and her new book, written with fellow-Milwaukeean and artist Cortney Heimerl. View the trailer at handmadenationmovie.com.

With over 18,000 tickets already sold, the Wisconsin Film Festival seems to be recession proof. For 4 days (April 2-5), The Film Fest features close to 200 films at 10 venues around Madison. A few of this year’s “Wisconsin-own” include: 500 Days of Summer, Beelin, Being Bucky, Cheese Wars, Immortal Cupboard: In Search of Lorine Niedecker, Tracks, Win or Lose: A Summer Camp Story, and Winter of Frozen Dreams. Support your local filmmakers and check out wifilmfest.org for ticket info and availability. All ticket packages come with coupons for Steep & Brew, L’Etoile and The Memorial Union’s Scoop Shop.

On Wednesday, March 25^th, AIGA Wisconsin is hosting their second Studio Talk series at Madison design firm Planet Propaganda. Get up close and personal with Planet’s designers and learn about the design philosophies that continue to win them awards in brand, print and interactive design. For details, visit www.wisconsin.aiga.org.