Space2b Gallery – Space2b Social Design

Space2b Laneways Mural

Posted on January 15, 2018 by j9lawrie

Hurrah!

We have been lucky enough to have been given a Cultural Development Grant from the City of Port Philip. The fund is aimed at assisting and encouraging artists and related organisations to develop and realise creative projects. Which is what WE are all about!

As most will know, we love a collaborative project and this one is no different. We are calling it our “Imagined Laneways”.

We have found six incredibly talented artists, from all walks of life, some have already been working with us over the years and others’ are fresh to Space2b. We will be working alongside them to design, create and document a series of wall art pieces in the rear laneway of the shop. The artists are Uncle Les Stanley, Karen Hopkins, Elena Nabavi, Sarika Deokar , Nidhal Altaie and Leila Ashtiani.

These already graffiti filled walls and fencing areas will be covered head to toe in patterns that celebrate a range of cultural decorative arts. They will certainly bring some colour and joy to the local community, passers bys and customers to our cafe which will be opening a little later on in the year.

Watch this space for more updates soon….

Grant funded by City of Port Philip

Space2b art gallery launched with street artists BeFree and Suki art

Posted on August 13, 2017 by j9lawrie

Be Free and Suki are two amazing street artists that utilise Melbourne’s laneways and streets to create colour and fun for everyone to enjoy.

We are so lucky to have them at Space2b where they have created a unique and beautiful installation in our soon to be laneway cafe

There is also amazing artwork on sale until the 3rd September.

They have kindly donated 50% of their sales to Space2b programs.

Space2b – new and permanent home!

Posted on November 21, 2016 by j9lawrie

Its official and we are open for business.
Space2b’s new site was launched on Friday night, 18th November.
Thank you everyone who came from near and very far to celebrate with us.
Our store is open for business with all sorts of wonderful gifts, clothing, jewellery and lots more.
Come and visit us and bring your friends.
We are open wed – Sat 10-5pm and will be expending our hours over Christmas.

Together we make a difference

Launch with Janine, leila, Mariam and Clare. Leila will be running the art Gallery for Space2b.

Abuk from TWICH, will be joining us next year with her sewing machines and teaching Cert. 3
in sewing. Her beautiful clothing is already in store.

The back area of Space2b which will become the Laneway Cafe, early next year, selling coffee,
drinks and delicious takeaway lunch.

We will be running lots of activities, movie nights and creative workshops, so watch this space!

Meet the Artist Leila Ashtiani

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Nasyeetha

Leila Ashtiani’s art exhibition has been one of the most publicised and talked-about events we have had since the inception of Space2b. It’s no wonder – her story is exactly what this social enterprise is all about. We always tell new customers about the purpose of the store, that “the profits go to migrants and refugees who are interested in art and design.” Leila’s exhibition is the perfect example of the product of all the hard work put in by the people behind Space2b.

Leila’s art on the Space2b gallery wall

On Sunday the 15th of March, we held a ‘Meet the Artist’ event, so that people who were interested in Leila’s work could come in and ask her questions. Since the exhibition’s opening, we have had large numbers of people visiting because they had read about her story in The Age. Her story has attracted people from all over Melbourne to come into Space2b and view her beautiful artwork.

Meet the Artist event

Being so comfortable speaking Persian in her old Tehran art gallery, the challenge for Leila at this event was to speak about her art in English. However, the same enthusiasm for her art came across whenever she was asked a question. The attendees included people who had seen Leila’s art at previous exhibitions, as well as those who had heard about her work for the first time. Everyone was impressed not only by the art, but by Leila’s own lovely nature.

One visitor, Jane, described the artwork as “breathtaking”, and an intriguing depiction of woman in all her forms. As a woman, Leila’s work is inspiring because of its central theme of freedom. She was not able to show many of these works in Iran, so we are so glad Space2b could be a part of sharing Leila’s art with the community.

Leila’s paintings will be on show and for sale at the Space2b gallery until March 30th.