Side Gallery

Side Gallery is a contemporary art space in Paddington, Brisbane, with a programme that brings together established and emerging artists. Its approach combines the traditional white-wall gallery format with a more design-led studio environment, giving exhibitions a distinctive setting without losing the focus on the work. The gallery has been operating for a decade and positions itself as an inclusive, supportive space for artists at different stages of their practice.

The exhibition programme is curated in advance and can include solo and small-group shows across a range of artistic media. The website lists Myf + Nyx’s The Magical Muff among its exhibitions, while also inviting artists to submit proposals for future programmes. Rather than simply providing a room to display finished work, Side Gallery offers mentoring and practical guidance intended to help artists develop their practice and work towards professional goals.

The gallery itself is a compact 15.6-square-metre boutique space, with flexible exhibition design options and standard furniture such as plinths and shelving. Exhibitors can also use the adjoining studio for opening functions or supplementary displays. The studio includes Apple computers with large monitors and long workbenches, making the combined space suitable for digital imagery, objects and printed material. Artists can contact the gallery about exhibition applications, subject to availability and the fit with its curatorial direction.

Side Gallery also caters to creative activity beyond exhibitions. The gallery and studio can be hired for workshops, talks and small events, with audiovisual equipment, catering options and staff support available by arrangement. Social media workshops are offered for artists and can be delivered as group sessions, one-to-one consultations or programmes for organisations and creative businesses. It is a useful option for artists seeking practical support, collectors looking to encounter a changing exhibition programme, and small groups wanting an art-focused venue. Gallery access is tied to exhibition periods, so visitors should check the exhibitions page or social media before attending; the website lists Wednesday to Friday and Saturday opening periods, with other visits by appointment.