SPACE Gallery

wawawawawawawawawawawawawa…
What?
Three tiny dad horseshoe crabs stuck in a tiny net. Art.

I feel like my review would just mimic so many others that are here, so instead of just telling you how fantastic this space and it’s organizers are, I’ll point out some difficulties.
The bathroom situation does not thrill me. There is one bathroom with two private stalls, but the second bathroom has only a urinal which is exposed and a private stall. It’s a multisex bathroom so it could be a challenge.
Like so many other fantastic places downtown, you need great parking karma. I recommend that you plan ahead and enter the Spring Street garage from the Free Street side. You’re only one side street away from the entrance to Space Gallery.
In the dead of winter, it can be cold in the center of the seating. Dress appropriately.
If the venue warns you the event may be filled, heed their advice and either buy tickets in advance online or make sure you show up early. It is a small-​ish space and they will accommodate all that they can, but sometimes they have had to turn away folks that are very disappointed.
I am a member of space gallery and feel that this $ 40 was some of the best spent money in this town. I truly love the programming, the presentation, and the overall atmosphere and attitude of all involved with Space Gallery. Highly recommended

I absolutely love Space Gallery. They’re a bastion of progressive art in a town that can feel a little, well, not-​so-​progressive. I appreciate Space’s multi-​disciplinary approach and willingness to push boundaries while still offering family programming. They’re a non profit, so do them and yourself a favor and become a member. At the very least, stop by on First Friday to see the current exhibit (it will be amazing). Love, love, love Space.

An oddball (incredible) venue bringing unique/​local/​poinent/​challinging art in all forms to Portland.
At SPACE I’ve experienced: brainstorms on how to alleviate portlands parking problem, string quartets, local horror film screenings, art installations and celebrations and each event has been beautifully executed by the staff and was richer for being in such a welcoming ‘space’. A gem.

I want to be the kind of person that is «hip to the jive» of what Space is doing, but I’m not sure I am (I sometimes feel an exclusive, judgey attitude emanating from this otherwise very awesome place… maybe this is just something I’ve manifested in my head as I realize how uncool I am the older I get, but I’ve been here enough that I should, by now, «get it», right? And feel some sort of hospitableness and acceptance?).
I soooooooo appreciate everything they do for the community, though — from book signings to film screenings to dance parties to concerts to lectures to art exhibits… they embrace, promote, encourage, and foster all forms and mediums of art. How refreshing! As someone who creates in words, it’s often frustrating to see other art be put first… Space never does, and never will do, that. Love it!
The lectures I’ve been to here and just the right amount of seating to provide both intimacy and privacy (a fine line that Space has worked out exceptionally well), so I can’t agree with others have said about this, then again I’ve never been for a musical performance. I think the bartenders I’ve dealt with here have all been proficient at their job. And I agree with what another reviewer has said… the people watching here is like no other spot in town (especially during debates and art openings). Space’s physical space is also different than anywhere else in town — it feels like someone’s very cool garage that you never want to leave, because something interesting might happen if you just stay another minute. Impressive how they’ve captured that sense.
One of my all time favorite art exhibits was here — one that moved me so much that I’ve never stopped thinking about it. RGB: The Jungle (
) was an exhibit that used colored lights and filters to reveal images using primary colors. I thought it was fun, illuminating, and really forced me to be in the moment to appreciate it. We sat there for quite some time drinking wine and just taking in the walls as they changed in and out of shapes and scenes. Very, very, very cool stuff, Space.

A great organization promoting art and community. Check out their schedule of events there really is something for everyone: music a ante garde to classic, Djsreadings, art shows and family friendly events. All designed to entertain and educate while bring the most diverse crowd in Maine together.

There’s one thing I like better than food and beer (well, two…): music. Live music, vinyl records, my iPod in the car, my loudspeakers on the deck — music is a huge part of my life.
Since moving to Portland I have been to many of music venues in town, all of which bring a special atmosphere. Asylum is the sweaty rock club; Port City brings the downtown city venue feel; State Theatre brings the prestige; Longfellow Square brings the intimacy.
Space Gallery, however, is the unique venue of the bunch. It’s the barley wine on the tap system; it’s the stoner on the high school football team. It’s the cool oddball standing apart from the crowd.
Part of that reason is that Space is more than a music venue, obviously. I’ve taken my daughter to afternoon art workshops. I’ve seen a couple of cool films. I’ve enjoyed the abstract art. And I’ve seen some badass shows — Woods, Os Mutantes, Lee Ranaldo to name a few. The sound is great, the stage is high and the décor is always interesting. Easy to move around and just enjoy the environment. Nice staff too.
Space gets my vote as the coolest venue in town. Get a few more beers on the menu and it’s perfection.

Just saw Muscle Shoals, which was fantastic! The show was sold out. Chairs, which we heard are new (er), were very comfortable for the 2.5 hours. I would definitely join space if I didn’t live about 1500 miles away.
My only complaint – It was FREEZING IN THE THEATER. I guess it was 55 degrees. no warmer.

It’s a small gallery, but they have ongoing events with film viewings, artists, and such. There wasn’t much to see, but I enjoyed a rainbow photo piece that’s currently on display.

i was in town, not much planned so i went online and looked for stuff to do. it was a monday night so i knew my options were going to be limited. space pops up and theres a event called ‘move to amend’ going on. green party presidential candidate (2004) david cobb is the guest speaker and the event is free of charge. donation suggested.
why not? in miami, most recalcitrant cubans think im a red communist anyways. so i read up about move to amend online for a little bit and i was convinced that it was at least going to be interesting.
space is nice. its in portlands art district. the exhibit they had on was very neat too. it also touched the topic of american identity (always morphing), so it was nice to take a look at that prior to the talk. theres a bar at space. friendly faces and they as an organization just seem very progressive and forward thinking. for that reason, 4 solid stars.

I never leave the Space without being super stoked about the show I just saw. Whoever does the booking here kicks major ass. From the hip hop acts that I know, to random shows that I go to not knowing what to expect (like last year’s Starfucker show, dang!), I always leave on a music high. And I love the set up. The space (ha! get it?) is just one big room, with a small bar set up at the back corner, and a stage that is only about 3 feet above the floor. The stage being low makes for such an intimate performance for those that are awesome and stand front row, but I suppose sucks for the back row lurkers. It’s never a pain to get a drink, and now that they added more bathrooms (my mind is still blown over this!!), it’s not a pain to pee either. Space, you rock my world.

the wide variety of events Space hosts is pretty remarkable– great films, fun shows, good art. this gallery breeds a feeling of community. they are also always looking for volunteers for various purposes– i recently started giving them a bit of my time in an effort to support the arts and they really let me know how much they appreciate it. so go have fun or go donate a couple hours, either way you will be glad you’re involved!

S P A C E is S W E E T.

always edifying, and the people watching is first rate even if you don’t like whatever’s happening that night.

The Space Gallery is one of my favorite places in Maine to see shows. It’s just the right size to see a great band in an intimate atmosphere. The bands usually stick around to chat with fans after they perform. The staff here is really great and friendly. I’ve seen three shows here: Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley; The World/​Inferno Friendship Society; and Humanwine. It’s been great each time. The venue is quite handicapped accessible. There are no steps to get in. My girlfriend reports that the bathrooms are spacious and accessible. (I’ve never used them yet.)
The only things that bug me are that there is very little seating and it’s difficult for anyone who can’t stand for long periods to be comfortable, plus they serve alcohol during shows and it causes some people to be jerks when they get too intoxicated and have difficulty standing up and not knocking over equipment, or causes them to forget their manners like not standing or dancing directly in front of shorter people behind them.
Those are pretty small issues, though. Overall, this is a great little venue with lots of interesting and fun events going on.

The Space, well, it’s a space where people show art or meet and talk about cool things or important things or interesting things and sometimes they do things and you can listen to people sing or listen to people rock out.
Basically, it’s great that Portland has a space like this and it’s used properly, definately check out their website, then check out the space.