fortyfivedownstairs

45 downstairs is a fantastic not for profit artspace that really supports interesting creative endeavours across painting, sculpture, comedy, avant grade theatre, cabaret, circus and everything in between. It is also underneath the gorgeous Arc One gallery and Cumulus Inc and Cumulus Up. That’s 4 levels of amazement for patrons.

I’m a big fan of fortyfivedownstairs. Not just because the name comes with directions on how to get there.
It’s a lovely space, well suited to the exhibits they put on. As a not-​for-​profit, it’s far more a labour of love for those who run it than a money-​grabbing business. The rent isn’t cheap for artists to use the space (they do have to cover costs, after all), but this just means that the exhibiting artists have to set the gallery as a goal and work towards it.
I participated in a fantastic little event here called an «Arts Spring Clean» — part networking, part performance-​art, we set up as little speed dates and then met daters who wanted to see what we did. I had a lot of fun and the space handled our different ideas well. Kudos to the owners for having the drive and the open-​mindedness to let the event run. It really was an honour to participate.

There’s something about wooden floor boards, white walls, and light seeping through large windows that just makes me wanna squeal with excitement. Nothing i love more than a loft style art space and fortyfive downstairs is an exquisite space.
Showcasing amazing exhibitions regularly, fortyfive downstairs is a true not-​for-​profit gallery and theatre space allowing up and coming artists, designers and actors to come and showcase their talents to the public.
I saw Anita Mertzlin’s ‘Skin Deep’ when it was showcased and also made it to Ding Liren’s contemporary paintings ‘Landscape, Beauty, Context’. I give props to fortfive downstairs for maintaining great exposure to Melbourne’s Arts scene, showcasing interesting exhibitions and being a respectable not-​for-​profit space.

After visiting Arc One gallery on the ground floor I went downstairs to see what was being exhibited at Fortyfive Downstairs. There is a small sign «a not for profit artspace» above their door. Fortyfive Downstairs rents out their gallery space for artists who want an exhibition. And there are different exhibitions here every four or two weeks.
Downstairs in the former textiles factory space there are two spaces for exhibitions and a theatre space. I haven’t been to the theatre here yet. I must go sometimes as it has regular burlesque shows. Both the very large gallery space and the second smaller space have white walls, high ceilings and wooden floors.
The exhibitions in these spaces will have, most likely, changed by the time that you read this so I won’t tell you about the art that I saw. And the quality of the next exhibition depends mostly on the artist exhibiting but the gallery is also selective and exhibitions are generally of a high standard.