Last week, we all heard the news that Per Square Metre, Collingwoods much loved and respected artist run gallery, was to shut up shop after several years of providing the community with a veritable feast of shows.

This week, however, comes their final hoorah, a celebration of the galleries achievements in the form of their final exhibition, featuring, along with some special guests, DVATE and SEAR, two of the galleries founding members.

We luckily managed to snag some of their time to get a few questions in before their show this Friday night, and talked to them about plumbing, hanging, tequila, and the history and drive behind what is already an icon in the history of Melbournes art scene.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Last Call …

Could you give us a little background on the people who have been involved in running Per Square, and how you all met?

Back in 2005, a punk rocker, a ‘graffer, a computer geek and a hippy met whilst studying illustration.

Over 4 days and nights of painting an abandoned cafe for a toy exhibition, in Newcastle for the T.I.N.A festival (over far too much tequila!), we decided that we liked what we were doing together, and came up with the idea for our own space. One that we could change whenever we wanted and just ‘play’ in.

In 2006, Per Square Metre was born.

Sam Jones (SEAR), Darren and Emmelene  (DABS MYLA), Bernard Romerona and Jimmy (DVATE) have all been involved with PM2 from the beginning.

Sam and Jimmy are currently carrying the flame.

How did you all formulated the idea behind the gallery, and what was it that you hoped to achieve when you first started out?

Initially, the gallery was started for a few reasons. Firstly,  to fill a gap in the commercial gallery market – that being an affordable and accessible space and secondly, we wanted a place where we could show our work, which comes from illustrative, comic and graffiti roots. At the time, those styles weren’t really being taken seriously or seen as ‘art’ by commercial galleries.

The goals of Per Square Metre have always been the same – to promote, inspire and motivate other underground, up and coming or amateur artists, and help them break into the commercial market – all the while encouraging inclusive creativity within our studio walls, as well as throughout our community.

We’ve worked hard to be well respected in the scene with unpretentious skill sharing, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and undying passion for all people, and things, creative.

What were the major challenges you faced when you were setting up the gallery, and did everything go according to plan before your first opening?

Any new venture, with a group of people, is a constant challenge.

The usual issues come up – like money and space – especially because we lived where we worked. We knew nothing about running a business ‘properly’, so we had to learn how to build walls and plumb showers. Mainly, though, we lived by the mantra ‘They can only say ‘No’ if you ask!’ … and we had fun.

Our first exhibition was by our now co-manager, Jimmy (DVATE), and it was banged together fairly quickly because he was going overseas. We didn’t have a hanging system, and back in those days we mostly relied on the humble hammer and nail to get the job done.

Even constant flooding, due to faulty roofing, didn’t stop us from opening on time – to what was a surprisingly huge and supportive crowd.

Per Square Metre has hosted some fantastic shows, and an amazing array of artists, what have been some of the highlights during your time there?

All our shows have been great, but some highlights would be the first Dvate show, Logan Hicks, the Peat Wollaeger collab-o-mask show – complete with wrestlers! The Jase and Jorz show, the PM2 1st birthday show, the Flying Fortress and London Police show, our own Skins and Sharpies show, all of our Round Ups – the Dabs & Myla return show, and pretty much all the shows with food served, and any show that beat the 15 slab record!

Lowlights … they’d have to be the ongoing police closures of shows with graffiti content, and the bringing in of Local Law 8 in the City of Yarra!

When it comes to setting up exhibitions, most on a fortnightly basis, what are some of the key things you need to accomplish before opening night, and what is the general process involved?

Usually, walls are sanded and repainted … sometimes. Artwork is hung safely, correct labelling and pricing done … most of the time the exhibiting artists will paint the walls if they want to, and hang and label their work. We encourage the artists to ‘try’ pieces out when hanging them.

Some advice: you can always move something if you don’t like it – just don’t start by limiting yourself with a set idea, after all, your exhibition is the final piece!

Group shows that we’ve curated usually involves artist liason, flyer and poster design plus electronic marketing, invites and email lists, finding drink and print sponsorship. We try to implement a ‘free’ hanging style as well, as we usually have no less than 80 pieces to hang, whilst still using basic design principles like direction, contrast, colour, shape etc.

You have a final final show that you’ll be hosting and partaking in before you close up, whats the low down?

The ‘Last Call’ is an exhibition of some new works by DVATE and SEAR (aka Sam Jones).

Along with a few ‘special guests’ we will be showcasing a variety of new works, trying to push the boundaries between graffiti and fine art.

You cited the gentrification of Collingwood as one of the reasons why you’re shutting up shop there – do you think that this aspect will have more of an impact over time for other artist initiatives in the area?

Definitely! … and it already has. We need more ongoing support from local councils, and local communities need to recognise that these creative businesses, galleries and studios, are what help to bring life to an area.  and bring people in. In turn, these things raises the profile of these areas – increasing property values!!

Do you have any regrets or unfinished business that you believe you didn’t address whilst Per Square has been running?

My only regret is that we have to close in Collingwood – I feel like we’re letting a lot of people down-artists, neighbours and the traffic of Johnston Street!

You’ve said that this isn’t the end, and that it is only the beginning – you obviously have some idea or plans for something new, can you give us any insight into it, and do you think there’s anything you need to do differently next time?

Per Square Metre was unique as it was run pretty organically – meaning, we laughed and we learned as we went. We’ll continue doing all our own freelance work (so keep an eye out!) and continue to decorate the walls of Melburn with our mural work.

I can’t tell you much at this point but we’ve all got some plans …

… I can tell you, though, that another gallery/space is in the works … bigger & better … art, films, food, music, festivals, workshops!

Where? When? I’ll leave it at that, and let your imagination run with it……

Any parting words for all the fans of Per Square Metre?

Thank you for all your support, inspiration and motivation over the past four and a half years!

We couldn’t have done it without any of you xo

Who: DVATE & SEAR + Special Guests
What: Last Call – final Per Square Metre exhibition
Where: Per Square Metre Gallery, 191 – 193 Johnston Street, Collingwood
When: Friday 14th May, 6pm – 8pm. Show runs to 23rd May