lready a key figure in the Montreal arts scene, McAuslan Brewing have taken their support of the always-burgeoning community to a whole new level. Centre St-Ambroise is a new venue that could house any sort of local art project in the city…with the possible exception of a performance piece entitled “exploding venue.”

The two-story building has been split into two main sections. The upstairs is the Maxwell Haus Studios, an art gallery run by artist-in-residence G. Scott MacLeod that should host a variety of art showings and parties. For now MacLeod has the floor, but in the future any number of local artists could be in control of the space (even if they have to pry it from his cold, dead hands).

Downstairs is known as the Griffon Room, which is available for music shows, film screenings, book launches, workshops, lectures, seminars, and other private events and parties. The venue can only house about 50 people, but this spot is just for elite artistic functions anyways. Let any more than 50 people in and functions become crowded with poser riffraff. Besides, an art gathering really isn’t worthy of the name without crowds of jealous scenesters milling around outside desperate to get in.

So if you’re one of those too-cool-for-school art types or at least like to pretend that you’re one, then this just might be the new hot spot for you. The name isn’t common knowledge yet, so just think of how hip and in-the-know you’ll appear when you drop it into conversations. Go on and try it. Watch your hipster friends go green with envy. – P.B.