Author: Uncover

By Eden Wilkinson

Much awaited after its 3-year hiatus, Pride returns to Liverpool this month. The city will be filled with social, cultural, and political events for all to attend and stand together in solidarity.

The free Pride Festival ran by LCR Pride is set to take place on Saturday 30th July at the Pier Head. Opening at 12 noon, with the busiest period set to be between 12.45pm and 2pm, it most certainly will be a lively and exuberant occasion. The line-up for the Barclays main stage will be announced later in the month. You can sign up to the LCR Pride foundation mailing list to be the first to find out more information. 

With the day festival finishing at 8pm, what better way to continue the party than at Sonic Yootha. Described as a club night for “homos, fauxmos, gender-blenders, full-time queers and part-time Brendas” it has taken the gay scene in Liverpool by storm over the past 7 years. Their next disco will take place from 9pm-4am on the 30th July at 24 Kitchen Street. With it being their Pride ’22 special, it is set to be yet another sensational disco where all are welcome. 

Pride in Liverpool always begins with the annual ‘March with Pride’, an opportunity to fly the flag for the LGBTQ+ community and take to the streets in solidarity. This year aims to be bigger than ever after the 2019 march saw over 12,000 people take to the streets. Gathering will begin at 10:30am with the aim to begin the march at noon. Sign up to the LCR Pride March here.

The chosen theme of the LCR Pride foundation for this year is ‘Come Together’, an extremely poignant message after the substantial social distancing that has been in force over the few past years. LCR Pride aims to make Liverpool the most LGBTQ+ friendly community in the country, emphasising the importance of coming together at a time where the communities’ freedoms and rights continue to be attacked. It is great to see LCR Pride extend their events further across the region with the brand new ‘Pride at the Seaside’ event at New Brighton on the 27th August. 

Homotopia is an art and activism-based festival that runs each year around October time. However, this year they have ran events such as the recent ‘Queer in the City’ on the 2nd July. In collaboration with National Museums Liverpool, it was the first ever NML Xtra event which showcased unique experiences and installations, certainly creating anticipation for what else they have in store for this year. 

You can donate to LCR Pride Foundation here.

By Radka Hostašová

The artistic spirit of Liverpool appeals to locals as well as tourists in many ways. On one hand, the city is rich in various cultural settings, such as theatres, galleries and concert halls that regularly host diverse events to present the work of local, national and international artists. However, to feel the bohemian soul of the city, we don’t necessarily need to enter the closed space of a gallery or purchase a ticket for a concert. In fact, a lot of art in Liverpool is facilitated in the streets, in the form of murals and poetic writings, but also public pianos and street musicians. In today’s feature, we have decided to follow up on our past article, 9 Pieces of Street Art To Find on Your Next Walk in Liverpool and bring you even more street art that deserves attention in Liverpool and Wirral. 

1. Paul Curtis: Abbey Road

Let’s begin our walk in the Baltic Triangle – the city’s growing cultural hub with lots of space and surfaces ideal for street art. To pay tribute to local music legends, The Beatles Story commissioned artist Paul Curtis to paint a living memory of The Beatles’ famous album cover Abbey Road. As a result, the Grafton Street wall in the Baltic Triangle has been transformed into the iconic zebra crossing in London. However, Paul Curtis chose to omit the musicians from his painting and instead, allow passersby to become one of the fab four for a moment. 

2. Akse: Steven Hawking

Again within the Baltic Triangle, we can find a giant mural of Steven Hawking, placed on the side of The Studio School (formerly the Contemporary Urban Centre), Upper Parliament Street. By depicting the face of the famous scientist, a French street artist known as Akse epaid homage to the life-long work of Steven Hawking and created a living memory of the exceptional figure for generations to come.

3. Jon Culshaw: Liver Bird

Jon Culshaw is a name commonly linked to many pieces of street art around Merseyside. Located on the side of the iconic Wedding House, Liver Bird is one of the latest John Culshaw murals. With the precise details and unmistakable expression in the face, this colourful Liver Bird is looking over the street, embodying the city’s spirit and pride. 

4. Mr Cenz: Rainbow Goddess

When crossing the river Mersey to the Wirral, we can find many more pieces of street art, located especially around the beach town of New Brighton. Our first stop will be the Rainbow Goddess – a beautiful portrait of a woman’s face on the side wall of a house in Grosvenor Road. The mural was created by street artist Mr Cenz, whose distinctive style is characteristic of a spiritual depiction of feminity, futuristic colour spectrum, and complex, multi-layered composition. 

5. Dotmaster: Otto and Rude Kids House

Another significant artist who contributed to New Brighton’s street art gallery is Dotmaster. Both of his artworks, namely Otto and Rude Kids House, share a similar black and white wallpaper background with the stencil of naughty children in the forefront. Referring to the characteristic features of the artist’s style, Dotmaster reflects a typical English sense of humour, and his pieces stand out for their precise details as well as playing with illusion. 

6. Matt Dosa: Abstract Seaside

And finally, our walk will finish by admiring the mural Abstract Seaside created by Matt Dosa. Whereas the previous artworks we mentioned were showing particular figures and rather realistic motifs, Matt Dosas’ style is a fusion of spontaneity and experiments. Abstract Seaside, covering the upper floor of 3 adjacent buildings, is a sequence of colourful patterns inspired by the nearby seaside. Through the large-scale playful mural, Matt Dosa transforms a commonly dull landscape into a cheerful environment.

By Amna Akram

One of the UK’s leading theatre companies – 20 Stories High joined forces with Yemeni Poet and award-winning community activist Amina Atiq to create Poet’s Gift over the past couple of months. 

Exploring new writing and poetry with Muslim young people, the new art project culminates in a unique public work of art, designed by Nadina Ali, exhibited on a prominent bus stop in Liverpool’s Toxteth Community.

On May 24, 2022 the installation will be launched to the public, including a celebration with music, food and performance at the Lodge Lane, library bus Stop from 6-7pm.

The project engaged with young people in Liverpool with diverse Muslim backgrounds through a series of workshops. These workshops provided a safe space for the group to express themselves; to explore conversations about family, care, belonging, and community; and to create work that shows their lives beyond stereotypes. 

The project culminated in two poems that will be shared; one by Amina Atiq and one incorporating the words and languages of the Poet’s Gift group.

The project was initiated after Amina Atiq and 20 Stories High Artistic Director Keith Saha reflected on the rise of racial-religious attacks following the terrorist attack on the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in November 2021. 

They identified a lack of spaces available for Muslim young people to discuss their feelings, experiences, and identity. 

Amina Atiq said: “It has been incredible to conceive and deliver Poet’s Gift with 20 Stories High. It’s been a privilege to work with this group of young people and support them in articulating their experiences and feelings. I think it’s so impactful that we are able to share their words at a bus stop. 

“Bus stops hold significant meaning to working class communities, migrants and school children – a place of coming together but also a place of real potential risk. Through poetry, I have expressed feelings around my early experiences of Islamophobia and racism experienced at bus stops. It is brilliant that these young people’s poems and voices will be shared so prominently, and hope they will ignite some vibrant conversations.”

Keith Saha, Artistic Director of 20 Stories High said: “Amina is such an important artist in our city. She has an amazing way of collaborating with young people and young artists. A passionate, political voice that nurtures new talent and gives confidence to young people to express themselves. The group of young people were amazing and truly reflected the diversity in Liverpool’s Muslim Community including participants from, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.”

Muhammad Elmi, freelance Community Engagement Associate and Pastoral Support Worker said: “As a young lad from the area, I never had the opportunity to be involved in projects like this. Growing up, the support for young people was abysmal – for a number of reasons. To now be given the opportunity to get involved in supporting the future generation is an honour. I very much hope that this project is the beginning of a new era for young muslim Scousers.”

The installation is expected to remain on the bus stop until June 26, 2022.

For more information and updates head over to the 20 Stories High Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

By Radka Hostašová

In a recent feature we shone a spotlight on makers and small businesses that stand out in Liverpool’s creative community. However, there’s still so many talented individuals who should not be left out. Whereas in our previous article we focused our attention mainly around traditional craft and handmade production, today we want to highlight an area of contemporary art that goes in a hand with continually progressing technology; illustration and printmaking. 

Helen Louise Design

With her colourful, playful, yet realistic artworks, Helen Louise Design captures charming spots in Liverpool and thus, preserves the unmistakable atmosphere of the city. Looking at her pieces will make you realise how elaborate her illustrations are, with a focus on details that bring the pictures into the third dimension. Helen’s prints are available as posters, but also in a form of cards, postcards and coasters.

Rosa Illustration

Another artist that significantly contributes to the local creative field is Rosa Kusabbi, whose prints and animations portray femininity as well as social strains and issues. Through her vivid, vintage-inspired illustrations, Rosa emphasises women’s empowerment, cultural diversity and freedom of expression. The style the artist applies is very distinctive – a bright colour palette dominated by yellow, orange and pink, realistic figures contradicted with loosened cheerful lines, and last but not least, mischievous reflection on taboos in today’s society. 

Christopher Walster

Although the next artist on our list is currently based in Manchester, his work stands at the forefront of skyline illustrators in the North West. Compared to the previously mentioned artists, Christopher Walster’s pieces are rather minimalistic, using simple black lines that contrast with a plain white background. His monochrome illustrations are genuine depictions of UK and European cities as well as world metropolises. In other words, Christopher’s art is like a world tour you can experience through his posters, paper stationery and homeware.

Studio AW

From digital prints, we now move to a more traditional technique – watercolour. Studio AW is a local, female-led business producing unique illustrations inspired by nature. Annie – the artist who stands behind Studio AW – creates beautiful, delicate artworks that combine botanical motifs and female elements. Her pieces are characteristic of muted, natural colours and geometrical shapes that meet blurry watercolour patches in a way that creates the artist’s original signature. 

Abby Sumner Design

And finally, our list will be completed by an artist whose Risograph prints resemble a parade of colours. Abby Sumner primarily concentrates on abstract art as her pieces consist of geometric shapes and lines. With a simplicity on one side, Abby brings her prints to life with the spectrum of bright colours, such as pink, yellow, red and orange. Her lively creations are later converted into posters, calendars and gift cards. 

Each of the artists we have introduced today have their own remarkable style, influenced by different aspects, environments and eras. However, the thing they all have in common is the flow of energy that gleams out of their illustrations. To present the best artists in the region, Liverpool Print Fair’s two-day event is a great opportunity for creative individuals to exhibit their work. And of course locals can support the growth of small art businesses by purchasing their favourite prints. The next festival takes place in November 2022 and stalls are now open for applications.

By Radka Hostašová

Liverpool city centre is a bustling hub of shoppers, food and drink enthusiasts, culture seekers and tourists, mixing together to create a vibrant atmosphere. Just a stones throw away from two of the biggest shopping destinations in the city; Church Street and Liverpool ONE, you’ll find the calm oasis of the contemporary arts centre, the Bluecoat. By leaving the noise of the city behind and entering the iconic front yard of the Bluecoat, it can feel like taking a step back in time.

In fact, the Bluecoat, located on the School Lane, is listed as the oldest building in Liverpool city centre. Built in the early 18th century, the Bluecoat first served the purpose of a charity school for poor children. However, after moving the school to Wavertree, the Bluecoat was on the verge of demolition several times. Fortunately, thanks to a successful funding campaign, the building, with such distinctive architecture, has survived and since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been a home for the arts.

These days, the Bluecoat is defined as a contemporary arts centre that offers a space for artists to create and exhibit and for audiences to experience their work. Through its extensive programme and a focus on the community, the Bluecoat aims to make art an inclusive and accessible medium.  Moreover, the Bluecoat invests in the dynamic development of the arts while constantly reflecting on its past heritage and creatively responding to it. The programme at the Bluecoat consists of regular exhibitions, family workshops, dance performances, and literature readings.

The Bluecoat is currently accommodating nearly 30 artists residencies, who use the centre’s on-site studios to create illustrations, digital installations, pieces of fashion, or physical performances.

Besides supporting outstanding contemporary artists, the venue also functions as a base for several local businesses. There’s Roots Houseplants, an independent plant shop for anyone looking to add some greenery to their home, Kernaghan Books, the iconic Probe Records and Florianni bridal and evening dress boutique and more.

Also housed within the Bluecoat’s building is the Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool’s independent contemporary craft gallery. The Display Centre exhibits and sells some of the finest work made by professional craftspeople from the North West, across the British Isles and beyond and is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading galleries specialising in contemporary applied arts.

As a part of the programme to broaden the creative community, the Bluecoat also organises a number of projects targeting different groups of audiences. For instance, whereas Out of the Bluecoat is a creative club for children running across schools in Liverpool, Blue Room is a project that involves adults with learning disabilities, who get to experience art in the gallery as well as create their own artwork. And finally, alongside on-site and off-site projects, the Bluecoat regularly participates in the UK’s leading festival of contemporary art – Liverpool Biennial.

While the front side of the building mesmerises its visitors with a unique architectural design, the back yard surprises them with a beautiful secret garden. The Bluecoat’s garden is attached to the venue’s café, so customers can enjoy their food and drink surrounded by greenery in the peaceful tranquility. You could easily forget that you’re still in the heart of the city centre. But rather than a flawless lawn and perfectly trimmed hedges, the Bluecoat’s garden is a tangle of bushes and flowers providing privacy to the benches standing around them. In other words, the garden simply serves as a little getaway from the rush of the busy city centre streets.

A visit to the Bluecoat Liverpool promises a unique and inspiring experience. The doors of the venue are open to the public every day, however, particular events require booking tickets in advance. Visit https://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/ to find out more.

By Radka Hostašová

Upon exploring Liverpool’s independent stores, local markets and online stores you realise that there are so many outstanding creatives and unique small businesses representing Liverpool art’s community. Here, we’ll introduce you to just a handful of some of the most amazing makers and their work. 

Ceramics & Pottery

Aura Living Homeware

Aura Living Homeware is currently one of the leading artists in pottery craft. Applying a minimalistic style, this local business specialises in ceramic plates, bowls, and mugs, all connected by neutral tones. Additionally, a considerable part of Aura Living’s products are made using the terazzo technique – tossing marble chips into a cement mixture to create mozaic-looking dishes. 

BluBeau

Amongst local businesses, BluBeau stands out with its playful ceramics using cute animal motives. Together with unique pieces of jewellery, BlueBeau offers ceramic pots, jewellery holders, and other home decorations shaped in animal figures, using simplistic, innocent design.

Clay Elm 

Clay Elm is a small batch pottery studio based in Toxteth. Their beautiful, sophisticated pieces are significant for their symmetric lines combined with neutral tones and shades of blue. 

Jewellery 

Shadow & Line 

Shadow & Line is one of many local businesses focusing on handmade jewellery. However, their source of inspiration stands out as their silver jewellery is inspired by urban architecture, shadows and reflections to inform new minimal shapes and textures in pieces, with an emphasis on geometric shapes. 

Aloë Earrings 

On the other hand, Aloë Earrings could be considered the opposite of minimalism, using a wide range of colours and patterns to create original handmade earrings. Each of their limited collections features different colour combinations and shapes, spreading a cheerful vibe of a holiday, adventure and freedom. 

Macramé

Knots & Xs 

Macramé craft has recently started to gain more and more popularity in the maker’s community, especially due to its positive effect on people’s mental health, as it makes for a great mindfulness activity. Knots & Xs decided that rather than selling finished macramé products, they will enter the market with creative kits including pre-cut cords as well as step-by-step instructions. The kits are perfect for anybody who wants to get crafty and make their own macramé decoration.

Knotty Potty

Similarly, Knotty Potty is a small business producing beautiful macramé pieces, such as hanging pots, bags and small accessories. There is no way you would miss their stall at local craft markets as their extensive display sparkles with pieces of various colours and sizes. 

Fabric & Leather

Ruby Sparrow

Ruby Sparrow is a true goddess of Liverpool. Her bohemian, indie-style pieces of clothes evoke freedom and travelling – physical as well as spiritual. Ruby Sparrow’s clothes are made from sustainably sourced fabrics, bringing the spirit of far east cultures to customers in the UK. 

Rawhide Custom

Liverpool’s leather craft is proudly represented by Rawhide Custom. Their range of handmade products includes wallets, luggage tags, keychains and more. The mission of Rawhide Custom is to enhance the local market with unique, personalised, sustainably sourced leather items while using the traditional method of veg tanning the leather, one of the oldest methods of tanning known to man.

This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Sound City, the Liverpool music festival which has provided the city with some truly unforgettable music moments. 

Emerging across the streets of Liverpool back in 2008 as a heralded celebration of new and exciting music, Sound City has become an essential date in the diary for music fans far and wide to come together and discover the sounds of the future. 

Its storied alumni who have made those first steps at Sound City reads as a who’s who of the biggest and brightest names in modern music (from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The xx, Alt-J and Courtney Barnett to The Wombats, Royal Blood, Catfish & The Bottlemen and many more). 

Continuing to champion and elevate the sounds that’ll come to define the years ahead, the festival has provided a spotlight for thousands of local, independent musicians and bands to perform to large crowds, supporting well-established national and international acts.

Here we’ll take a closer look at the 2022 festival line up starting with the headliners.

Sound City 2022: The Headliners

The Lathums

The Lathums have had a meteoric rise to fame over the last few years. The Wigan quartet released their debut album, How Beautiful Life Can Be, a week before Sound City 2021 and performed on stage with their #1 Album trophy on the Sunday of the festival! It’s impossible not to love The Lathums and their infectiously catchy songs. Do not miss them!

Self Esteem

Previously an indie-folk singer with Slow Club, Rebecca Lucy Taylor is now a fully fledged pop superstar, performing under the name of Self Esteem. The inspiration for her stage name comes from Taylor’s growing confidence over the years. Taylor now feels like her authentic self, with RnB influences, electro-beats and personal and highly relatable lyrics.

Ones To Watch

Yard Act

Leeds band, Yard Act, are set for an incredible year following their majorly successful debut album release. The politically charged album, entitled The Overload, reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and has since scored the band some high profile gigs including Sound City and Coachella Festival.

Alfie Templeman

Growing up around music, Alfie Templeman had an early start to his career, producing and releasing demos at just 13 years of age. He burst onto the professional scene as a solo artist in 2018, and has since released four EPs under Chess Club Records. Templeman’s debut album, Mellow Moon, is set for release on 27th May.

Sad Boys Club 

Indie Rock, Emo-influenced four-piece, Sad Boys Club, are back for their second appearance at Sound City. The London-based band recently released an EP, I’m Not Afraid of The Death (But I Am Afraid of The Dying), and they are excited to play some of the tracks to the Sound City crowd. Check out our full interview with them here.

Brooke Combe

Edinburgh’s Brooke Combe rose to social media stardom as a bedroom cover artist following a string of viral cover videos. A whirlwind of opportunities such as signing contracts and working with big names in Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios soon followed, eventually leading to the release of the songstress’ debut original single, Are You With Me? With a repertoire of original music and professionally recorded covers under her belt, Combe is sure to set Sound City alight.

CRAWLERS

Another one for the Emos, CRAWLERS have skyrocketed over the last year. The Alt-Rock band from Merseyside have built up an adoring, loyal and diverse fanbase that the band credit their success to. Already this year, CRAWLERS have signed to Polydor Records and secured a support slot for the Warrington date of the long-awaited My Chemical Romance reunion tour. 

Sound City 2022 – The Details

Sound City 2022 takes place in Liverpool across the weekend of 30th April – 1st May for a monster of a 15th Anniversary celebration. 

After a brief relocation to Bramley Moore Docks, the festival returns to its roots, taking over city centre venues to host a mammoth amount of the hottest names in new music. Jimmys, EBGBs, Arts Club and Kazimier Stockroom are amongst the many local venues involved in this year’s festival. 

The Charlatans’ legend Tim Burgess is also bringing back Tim Peaks Diner, a Sound City staple, to showcase some hand-selected emerging artists. And if there’s still gas in your tank after a jam-packed day of live music, there will also be a selection of Sound City after parties to choose from to take you into the early hours.

At just £55 for the full weekend, Sound City 2022 tickets are on their last release, so grab yours here before they’re gone!

By Radka Hostašová

Artistic expression remains one of the most crucial ways for society to raise awareness of, criticise and protest against injustices, politics and inequality. We’ve seen how powerful art can be and art in many different forms can be used to communicate the pain and injustice of racism. By using different media and platforms, artists can address a broad audience and initiate a dialogue in society. This month Liverpool will introduce a new festival, Liverpool Against Racism, which aims to do just that.

Running from the 23rd – 30th of April, Liverpool Against Racism is built upon similar principles as the Black Lives Matter movement. Liverpool Against Racism will stimulate a conversation about, and action against, racism. With a focus on community cohesion, it will act as a platform for people and organisations to creatively respond to hate crime.

The festival will also focus on love, togetherness and a sense of community, with the purpose of not only to raising awareness of the past, but also to bring more brightness to the future.

Liverpool Against Racism Festival Programme

The festival programme consists of various events taking place across the city. There’s live talks and debates as well as music and cultural events, featuring a diverse line up of local, national and international individuals and organisations who are invested in the charge for change.

Music Day

The Liverpool Against Racism programme kicks-off with an impressive one-day music showcase on 24th April, which will take over venues in the Baltic area of the city showcasing over 40 local talented musicians from different cultural backgrounds.

Camp & Furnace, District and 24 Kitchen Street will play host to some incredible Liverpool acts including The Christians, The Farm, John Power, Greg Wilson, LÅPSLEY and Sense of Sound, with more to be announced soon.

Tickets cost £5 + booking fee, per person, per venue. Full details and tickets are available here.

Conference 

The festival’s conference, on 26th April, will feature a day of live talks and debates centred around art, culture, sport, media, fashion and business. A BAFTA winning film-maker and historian, an ITV news anchor, a former professional boxer and a critically acclaimed American author are just some of the people coming together in Liverpool to address the issue of racism.

Led by Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, she will be joined by presenter and historian David Olusoga OBE, Loose Women and news anchor Charlene White, activist and journalist Kevin Powell and former boxer turned actor Tony Bellew.

The main conference is hosted at The Spine and brings together contributors on a local, national and international level. Tickets for the full day conference cost just £20 + booking fee per person. Details of all ‘Sessions’ can be viewd here.

Youth Empower Conference

In partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), a Youth Summit will take place at LJMU Student Union on Friday 29th April, in collaboration with the Equality & Outreach Teams.

Find out more about the Youth Empower Conference here.

Partner Events

Alongside the Music Day and Conference, several venues and institutions, such as Liverpool John Moores University, Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, and Writing On The Wall will be delivering partner events. There’s everything from walking tours and poetry workshops right through to skating festivals and talks around understanding the Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. 

The Everyman Theatre becomes a space to connect distinct cultures through art, food, and open discussion, John Moores University gives an opportunity for teenagers to talk about their perception of racism and discrimination. And finally, a considerable part of the festival is engaged in exploring Liverpool as a past centre of the slave trade and emphasizing its impact on the lives of millions of people.

Find out more about the Partner Events here.

Overall, the first season of the Liverpool Against Racism festival has a lot to offer. It creates the space for communities to speak up and for the public to listen.

To find out more about Liverpool Against Racism visit www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/liverpool-against-racism/

By Radka Hostašová

An important part of a practicing artist’s life is meeting with other creatives and interacting with audiences. In the case of musicians, their meeting points are frequently concert halls or other venues for rehearsals and public performances. A similar situation applies to dancers, actors or singers, whose gatherings are more than essential to collaborate on collective shows. But how about the ones who focus on visual arts and handcraft? The work of those artists is sometimes produced from home-based studios, commonly made up of an overloaded table in a tiny corner of the house. It could be said that these kind of working conditions might add a bit of loneliness to the creative process. 

However, along with other areas of art and culture, Liverpool values the contribution of local artists, makers and creators, by providing them with dedicated spaces to create, meet each other, collaborate and promote their work. And there is no doubt that Make CIC proudly stands amongst these creative spaces. Established in 2012, Make has become one of the popular community hubs for artists and local businesses, integrating various fields, such as drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, embroidery, and woodcraft. 

Established in 2012, Make Liverpool has come a long way having expanded their base in the Baltic Triangle with two more venues – one located in the North Docks and the latest hub opened in Hamilton Square, Wirral. Another milestone for the growth of the organisation will be marked this year with the opening of a new creative space in Huyton Village, dedicated to connecting creatives in the Knowsley area. 

Looking at the concept of the centre, Make’s programme stands on three main pillars – create, connect and educate. Firstly, while using the extensive workspace of all three current venues, Make accommodates more than thirty resident artists, who can use the space to create as well as store and exhibit their work. Hiring a studio is a great solution for makers whose work involves the use of heavier equipment and requires a more industrial setting. Yet, it is also an affordable way for up and coming artists to take those first steps in their career and gain more confidence while running their own studio.

Giving an opportunity to local artists goes hand in hand with supporting the growth of independent businesses. With its community-focused plan, Make hosts regular meetings to provide guidance to less experienced makers and help implement their visions. Besides the mentoring sessions, the organisation has recently listed networking events to encourage the community members to teach, learn and exchange skills. After all, networking is one of the keys to establishing a successful business. 

And finally, a considerable part of the programme consists of a variety of workshops and courses, such as Drink and Draw, Introduction to Woodwork, Mindful Macramé, or Green Fingers – teaching the basics of plant care. It is important to note that creative classes are open to the maker’s community as well as to the public. Everyone thinking of kicking off a creative hobby, from traditional crafts to digital art, can join the classes. The warm and welcoming environment of Make intends to break the barriers of those who hesitate to start a creative journey and ensures their wellbeing. 

The Make venues host many more events on a regular basis, as well as hosting or one-off and pop-up events. Their Summer and Winter Arkade Markets provide a boost for the shop-small economy in the Liverpool City Region by bringing talented local makers to present and sell their products. Sustainability and independence stand at the forefront of the organisation’s strategy. With their constantly-developing mission to support the maker’s scene, Make Liverpool holds a significant role in Liverpool’s art and cultural field.

To find out more about Make visit https://makecic.org/

By Rhiannon Lewis

When I was a student here in Liverpool, the galleries were spaces I often escaped to for peaceful and reflective solitude.

There is often this idea that galleries are for ‘certain types’ of people. While being educated in the arts, or growing up with it gives a familiarity to venturing into those spaces, it’s not a prerequisite in any way to being able to understand, not least enjoy it. In fact, when you walk into a gallery wondering what on earth the exhibit is about, even laughing at it, this can be interesting in itself.

Below are listed the galleries I often enjoy a moment alone in, or trail around in with friends (all free, of course).

The Gallery at FACT 

This one is perhaps a bit tucked away, but always worth going to because I love that the space feels like a complete escape from the outside world. A couple of darkened rooms that are transformed with every turn of the gallery season. I used to go to the same exhibits again and again during my student days, picking up snippets of the artists’ stories and perspectives, but mostly enjoying sitting down on whatever seating they had (from sofas in front of projected realities, beanbags and even swivelling armchairs connected to virtual reality headsets), just taking in the 360 immersive experience 

The complex has two gallery spaces, a café/bar and a cinema that shows a lot of arthouse stuff. I recommend going in the day and just soaking everything in, or going in the evening and having a bit of a culture feast.

The Gallery at FACT: 88 Wood St, Liverpool L1 4DQ. Opens at 11am, closing times vary.

Tate Liverpool 

The exhibit here I usually like the most is the one on the bottom floor (one of the free ones gives me a sense of enjoyment in itself). They dress up the space completely different each time- once a sound-bath experience in a darkened ‘cave’, a collection of dresses larger than life, looking like architectural structures, another, huge sheets hanging from the ceiling splashed with crazy colours (the artist’s experience living in the rainforest). I don’t always find the story of the work hugely accessible, but I enjoy just popping in (often with friends) to discuss, to laugh. It’s nice, even, just being in a big room, especially if you’re early twenties and used to being cooped up in small rental apartments. 

Tate Liverpool: Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4BB. Open 10-5:30pm (closed on Mondays). 

Open Eye Gallery 

This one is also a bit tucked away – it’s not far from Tate Modern, though, near the docks. The exhibits here generally are quite accessible, they show photography works that often combine themes of ecosystems- environmental protection or place. I encourage you to visit when you have energy and time to just wander and wonder to your heart’s content. I like to go around the whole exhibit and then read the explanations for its work afterwards. While I get the value of having work that stems from the artist’s deep knowledge of their craft, I like to be able to get something from it myself. It’s good to feel autonomous in one’s perspective of art, I think. Especially if you don’t like it – I encourage everyone to own that. It’s a nice space to be in regardless of what’s on. There are lots of windows too – I used to like sitting in front of handful of them hidden behind a screen – reading magazines and pretending that I, myself, was part of the exhibit.

Open Eye Gallery: 19 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP. Open 11-4pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

I suppose for me, that’s the importance of visiting galleries every once in a while. It’s a shame that for some it’s associated with boredom and being dragged around by your parents or friends or lovers to ‘get some culture’. Because even when you see work that isn’t great, giving time for some new information helps refresh your brain, helps you relax and even helps you to find new perspective for life outside the gallery’s walls.