Liverpool's dot-art celebrates 20th anniversary year

Award-winning Liverpool independent gallery and arts consultancy dot-art is marking its 20^th anniversary this year with a programme of exhibitions, special events and activities.

The anniversary year opens this Thursday, February 5 with the official launch of a new exhibition – TWENTY – at the dot-art space at INNSiDE in Old Hall Street, featuring 20 large-scale works by 20 artists including Nathan Pendlebury, Barbara Derecka and muralist Joe Venning.

Then on February 13 a second new show, 20x20, will be opened at the dot-art gallery in Queen Arcade off Castle Street, showcasing smaller works of art with each piece measuring 20cm by 20cm. It runs until April 2.

All artwork is for sale.

In addition, the gallery has launched an anniversary prize draw to win an original artwork valued at more than £1,000, with funds raised from the £5 tickets going to the organisation’s work with schools.

dot-art was founded 20 yeard ago by Lucy Byrne who has worked since then, alongside a small team, to offer affordable, high-quality, locally sourced art and to nurture creative talent, build confidence and develop the local art market.

Over the past two decades, it has given 600 artists long-term support, provided 54 studio spaces, engaged 21,000 schoolchildren and delivered more than 30,000 hours of creative teaching, and has been involved in 100 public and corporate arts projects.

It has also won 16 regional and national awards.

In 2014 it also founded the annual Liverpool Art Fair which regularly exhibits the work of around 2,300 artists and last year attracted 68,000 visitors.

Founder and managing director Lucy Byrne says: “I’m incredibly proud and thankful to see dot-art reach this landmark anniversary.

“Reflecting on the past 20 years, I feel so privileged to have been able to build an organisation I’m passionate about, that enriches people's lives in many ways. Art brings people together, and none of this would have been possible without my fantastic team, past and present, and the many wonderful partners we collaborate with.

“This could only have been possible in Liverpool where creativity and culture part is part of our DNA. Imagine what we can achieve in the next 20 years.”

TWENTY opens at INNSiDE in Old Hall Street on January 5 and 20x20 is at dot-art in Queen Arcade from February 13 to April 2. More details HERE