Community Post Type: News

Carmel College invite you to ART BAZAAR 2026, their annual celebration of creativity, showcasing the incredible work of students across all Art & Design courses at the college.

Carmel College Launch Event & Fashion Show
Saturday 6th June
1:00 – 3:00pm
St Marys Market, Saint Helens WA10 1AW

Join Carmel College for their exhibition launch, featuring a vibrant live fashion show alongside an exciting preview of student work across disciplines including fine art, photography, graphic design, textiles, and more.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until Monday 22nd June, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience emerging creative talent from their local community.

They hope to see you there!

Following a year in which Liverpool talent shone at the TV and Film BAFTAs, Liverpool Everyman continues to champion the city’s next generation of artists with Attachment, which runs at the Everyman Theatre from Thursday 4 to Saturday 13 June. This “Made in Liverpool” production is written by Julia Cranney and directed by Kate Treadell, both graduates of the theatre’s own talent development programmes.

The star of the Everyman panto Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland at the Liverpool Playhouse, Paislie Reid returns to the Everyman stage as Mat, a scouse woman in Attachment. Paislie is Associate Director at 20 Stories High, the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Black Actors Collective, and volunteers at Positive Impact, facilitating singing, dancing, drama, and personal development workshops in her local community. Her television credits include CITV series The New Worst Witch, Special Measures (Channel 5), Unforgivable, Casualty, The Responder 2, Domino Day and Sugar (BBC), Brassic 4 (Sky), Emmerdale (ITV), and Tin Star 3 (Sky Atlantic).

Written by award-winning playwright Julia Cranney, who was born and is based in Liverpool, and originally trained with the Everyman’s Young Writers Programme. Attachment is a heartfelt Liverpool drama that has been developed alongside adoptive families from Merseyside. It explores parenthood, hope, adoption, and the ways relationships can grow.

Julia said, “I’m interested in the fact that there’s a ‘Disneyfied’ view of adoption. People who adopt are often put on a pedestal, but it’s so hard to be on a pedestal when you’re asking for help and nobody’s there on your level to help you. These people, who are so vulnerable, are picking up the pieces for an underfunded service because we assume that parents’ love will fill that gap. I hope Attachment goes some way to starting conversations around our system, and perhaps how it can be changed for the better.”

Julia’s theatre credits include: the Offies-nominated Moments (Hope Theatre, Islington) and Empty Beds (winner of the Scottish Daily Mail Award and an inaugural Eddies award, premiered at Underbelly Edinburgh before transferring to The Arcola, London). Her work for the screen includes an animated adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for BBC Teach and three original romcom features for Reel One in Canada (released internationally on Paramount Plus).

This production is directed by Kate Treadell, also a graduate of the YEP programme. Her credits at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse include Blink (YEP Directors’ Festival); Assistant Director on The Story Giant (Liverpool Everyman); co-director of How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found (Liverpool Playhouse Studio); and Road for YEP.

Since 2023, The Everyman has developed a strand of programming that allows it to tell new stories, often with new artists, and explore new ways of working. Attachment is the fifth show in this strand, following Tell Me How It Ends, A Billion Times I Love You, Our Town Needs A Nando’s, and The Walrus Has A Right To Adventure, which was nominated for a Stage Debut award for both Best Director and Best Designer. It allows The Everyman to create opportunities for graduates of its Young Everyman Playhouse programme and early career theatre makers from the Liverpool City Region, nurturing and empowering local talent and creating national impact.

Creative Director of Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Nathan Powell said,

“This programme strand has opened up a space where emerging artists can explore bold ideas and new ways of working, with the freedom to take creative risks. At the same time, it invites audiences to encounter fresh voices and new stories, from some of the region’s pool of incredible talent.”

The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer Ellie Light (The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Top Girls, Cherry Jezebel at Liverpool Everyman; Dogs at New Step Theatre/Playhouse), Lighting Designer Kieran Sing (I Am Steven Gerrard, Hope Street Theatre; Two, Shakespeare North Playhouse) who is also a graduate of YEP Technicians, Sound Designer Noel Jones, Dramaturg Tommo Fowler (The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure, Takeaway, Rapunzel and Tell Me How It Ends, Everyman Theatre), and YEP Trainee Assistant Director Ella-Mei Burns.

Captioned and audio-described performances are available during the run. A captioned performance will take place on Monday 8 June at 7.30pm, and an audio-described performance on Friday 12 June at 7.30pm. There will also be a post-show discussion after the 7.30pm performance on Wednesday 10 June, hosted by theatres’ Creative Director, Nathan Powell. Attachment is on the Everyman stage from Thursday 4 to Saturday 13 June, with tickets priced from £11–£26, available at www.everymanplayhouse.com/event/attachment/

Liverpool social enterprise dot-art celebrated two decades of art and creativity with a landmark event at one of the city’s most iconic venues.

On Thursday 7th May 2026, dot-art brought together artists, supporters, friends, and staff and board members past and present at the Music Room at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to mark twenty years since the social enterprise was founded.

The evening was a joyful reflection on two decades of achievement, featuring live music from 2006, the year dot-art was established. Guests were treated to live portrait drawings by dot-art Member Stu Harrison, and the launch of the dot-art Prize Draw, offering one lucky winner an original painting by artist Alexis Butterfield.

A specially curated slideshow drew on twenty years of archives, showcasing the many exhibitions, projects and events that have shaped dot-art’s history. The evening also saw the premiere of a new anniversary film, made all the more poignant by the story behind its creation: the film was produced by James Murphy, the very first winner of the dot-art Schools programme back in 2013, who has since gone on to build a career as a creative professional.

Guests heard from three speakers. Jim Davies, founder of Liverpool law firm DWF and dot-art’s longest-standing board member, reflected on the organisation’s journey. Artist Madeleine Pires, known for the celebrated Flower Streets murals, spoke about her experience as a dot-art Member and the opportunities that membership has brought her. Lucy Byrne, dot-art’s founder and Managing Director, also addressed guests.

Speaking at the event, Lucy said: “Every single one of you has been a part of our journey and I cannot thank you enough. Whether it’s the practical and financial support of our partners, the advice of fellow business owners, or the loyalty of our clients, we would not be here without you. Our small but mighty team never fails to rise to every challenge, and our artists are at the heart of everything we do. Their talent, tenacity and trust have allowed us to build an organisation that refuses to let art be sidelined and insists upon the importance of creativity.”

The event was hosted with the generous hospitality of the team at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and was supported by Kindred and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

 

Liverpool-based publisher, Dead Ink, is awarded internship grant to open doors for under-represented talent in publishing.

Dead Ink, an independent publisher in the North of England, is the award-winning alternative to mainstream publishing, “publishers of the weird, bold, and genre-defying”.

The company has been named the second recipient of the David Tebbutt Internship Fund – an initiative launched in 2025 from Creative Access and the David Tebbutt Trust to open doors for under-represented talent in publishing.

The internship fund honours the memory of David Tebbutt, former Finance Director at Faber, who passed away in 2011. The Fund is jointly administered by Faber and the Tebbutt family.

The Fund will provide 100% of the cost of an intern’s training bursary or salary based on the Real Living Wage for a 6-month, full-time traineeship once a year for three years. It will also cover all costs relating to the recruitment and training of successful candidates.

The initiative is aimed at small, regional publishers who might not otherwise have the resources to host a trainee. It is specifically designed to support people from backgrounds historically under-represented in publishing – this includes, but is not limited to, Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled, D/deaf and neurodivergent people, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

On receiving the funding, Nathan Connolly, managing director of Dead Ink, said:

“Dead Ink’s origins are as a shoestring press driven by passion, and we have long championed working-class access to the publishing industry. It gives us great pleasure to be able to accept this funding to open doors to those from a similar background as myself.”

Judith Tebbutt, wife of the late David Tebbutt, and Oliver Tebbutt, his son, as trustees of the David Tebbutt Trust said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Dead Ink has been chosen as the recipient of the second Creative Access/David Tebbutt Trust award. This will give the chosen trainee an exceptional opportunity for what is hoped will be, a successful future career in publishing. David would have been extremely happy.”

Josie Dobrin OBE, founder and executive chair of Creative Access, commented:

“We were super impressed by the quality and range of applications for the second round of the David Tebbutt internship, and selecting a recipient was no easy task. We are delighted to award the grant to Dead Ink and are confident they will provide an excellent opportunity for someone from a disadvantaged or marginalised background to enter the publishing industry while helping to continue David’s legacy.”

Recruitment for Dead Ink’s editorial trainee will be led by Creative Access. The intern will be paid the National Living Wage and join Creative Access’ Springboard programme, receiving training, mentoring and peer support to help them build a sustainable career in publishing.

Applications for the next round of the Fund will be open from the start of January – mid February 2027. For more information and to apply, contact recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk.

Apply to become Dead Ink’s next editorial trainee. Applications close: Monday 1 June 2026 at 11.59pm.

Liverpool Business Improvement District is supporting Liverpool Music Month to celebrate the city’s global music status. Bookended by two bank holiday weekends, Liverpool Music Month will bring a dynamic programme of live performances into the heart of the city. From the moment visitors step out of Lime Street Station, they will be welcomed by bold flags outside St George’s Hall announcing the start of the celebration.

As audiences move through the city centre, they will encounter a rich mix of buskers outside retailers, pop-up performances, processions, and choirs. The experience will extend across the city with coordinated signage, flags, and digital screens, creating a unified and accessible musical journey through Liverpool’s streets. A few famous faces may pop up during the celebrations.

This weekend has started off brilliantly with the 20 Stories High Sound System festival in Williamson Square on Saturday, the Liverpool European Festival Parade on Sunday starting at Bombed Out Church through to Church Street and Dockstars showcasing new artists to music fans at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

This month-long programme will showcase Liverpool’s identity as a true music city, celebrating its heritage while cementing its position as the global capital of music.

Liverpool BID invited businesses to take part, inviting music into their venue or dressing its exterior. The businesses and venues taking part include; The Plaza, Cotton Exchange, Resurrection (Bold Street), Bluecoat, Central Station, James Street Station, Moorfields Station, Royal Albert Dock, Café Tabac

As lead city partner, Liverpool BID’s investment represents an added support to enhance the programme, with more animation and activity. As with all the work and support that Liverpool BID gives to the city its core driver is to increase footfall to the city centre, helping to benefit businesses across the city economy and improve the wider visitor experience. The initiative is also supported by confirmed match funding from Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and Arts Council England.

Bill Addy is CEO of Liverpool Business Improvement District,

“Liverpool Music Month is an opportunity to bring our streets to life in a way that only this city can. We are delighted to have the support of our levy payers, whose passion for this city helps to contribute to its vibrant atmosphere. We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy the character and love of music this city demonstrates every day”.

Becky Ayres is Sound City‘s Managing Director and Liverpool City Region Music Board member,

“It’s brilliant to be working alongside Liverpool BID to help spread this festival into every corner of the city centre. We said we wanted Music Month to be something you see and feel, wherever you are in the city and whatever you are here for. Businesses are an integral part of Liverpool’s music story and a vital partner in creating a visitor experience that lifts that story from the stage to the streets.”

Fresh off his debut headline Australian tour, rising Irish country artist Gareth has will return to the UK and Ireland next month as part of his upcoming The Uncut Tour, bringing stripped-back performances to cities such as Liverpool, Cardiff and Nottingham, in addition to an appearance at The Great Escape in Brighton.

The tour follows a standout 2025 for Gareth, which saw him make his debut at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville last November. The moment marked a major milestone in Gareth’s journey from Castlederg, Northern Ireland, to the global country music stage.

Commenting on the tour, Gareth shared, “These shows are going to be really special for me. Stripping back these songs back lets the stories breathe, and that’s how a lot of them were written in the first place. Plus we are going to play a lot of unreleased music. I can’t wait to be back in the UK and share these nights with everyone in Liverpool, Cardiff and Nottingham.”

Gareth released his latest EP Bluebird, featuring a duet with Joss Stone, showcasing his blend of heartfelt storytelling and modern country influences towards the end of 2025. Last year also included his first US tour, headline shows at Ulster Hall and in his hometown, plus appearances at C2C: Country to Country and The Long Road Festival, along with touring support for Kip Moore.

The Uncut Tour UK and Ireland Dates:
15 May – The Great Escape – Brighton*
17 May – Arts Club The Loft – Liverpool
18 May – Rough Trade – Nottingham
20 May – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff
24 May – Fortified Festival – Castlederg*
27 May – Roisin – Galway
28 May – Gleneagle Club – Killarney

Arts Groupie are excited to be BACK at The Unity, Liverpool, this June!

THE VISIBLE MAN

Sat JUNE 20^TH,  7:30 PM

HE IS THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTERS.

Hollywood’s monster maker is at the end of his life, but his creations won’t let him depart so easily. Embittered by the Hollywood lifestyle, James Whale confronts the flawed, grotesque creatures he brought to life in an effort to tell one last incredible story: his own.

This brand-new ArtsGroupie CIC production, written and directed by David Griffiths and performed by John Maguire, examines class and LGBTQ+ identity while celebrating the life of the director who defined horror cinema.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! [GET TICKETS  HERE]