What was once a kebab shop and a Mexican chain restaurant will soon stand two pop-up art galleries as part of the City of Subiaco’s partnership with creative placemaking organisation SPACEMRKT.
SPACEMKRT seeks to transform vacant spaces into vibrant, creative hubs, and these two new pop-ups will
complement the Hayside Gallery at 486 Hay Street, which SPACEMRKT and the City officially launched in June 2025.
The Corner Gallery may sound familiar to Subiaco locals, having once been located in a famous pink building at 263 Hay Street. This pop-up, run by the same founder, Alex Miller, opened on Friday 14 November with a launch event to open its first art exhibition, Photobomb.
Alex is passionate about injecting more art, music and culture into Subiaco, and has transformed what was once Mad Mex Subiaco into a beautiful exhibition and event space that will soon host a weekly Life Drawing class alongside the exhibition.
“With a bit of elbow grease and knowledge of how to use a drill, I’ve managed to create a beautiful space that blends architecture of the past with contemporary textures and finishes,” Alex said.
“After nine years of events and exhibitions in our old venue, it felt like I was just getting started – so it’s been amazing to continue The Corner Gallery spirit!”
Right next door at the old Tasty Kebabs shop, artist Shania Miler from Studio of Grey is set to exhibit watercolour and mixed-media artworks and host community workshops, including paint and sip sessions and festive crafts for kids, in a cosy pop-up art gallery.
Shania said, “When I heard about the opportunity to turn the old kebab shop on Hay Street into a creative space, I couldn’t resist. I loved the idea of transforming something unexpected into an art gallery, giving it a new life. Subiaco has such a strong local community and creative pulse, and it felt like the perfect place to share my work in a more personal way.”
“The shop is in the perfect spot on Hay Street where there’s constant foot traffic, and it brings art into an everyday, accessible setting rather than a traditional white-wall gallery – it’s relaxed, creative, and a bit unexpected.”
Mayor David McMullen said, “It’s fantastic to see this long-vacant piece of Hay Street come alive.”
“These three spaces, now activated through our partnership with SPACEMRKT, show what can happen when local governments, landlords, businesses and creatives put their collective minds towards something.
