A new collection of business leaders called the ‘Liverpool Radicals’ will offers artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in otherwise inaccessible buildings as they launch a new arts festival for the city

A new annual art festival will provide emerging local artists with the opportunity to exhibit in some of Liverpool’s most prominent spaces.

Artists will be given the keys to display work in otherwise inaccessible buildings across the city region, as well as receiving mentorship and support from the business community.

Liverpool Radicals is a new collective of prominent business leaders headed by Ian Seddon. Their mission is to create Liverpool’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe for visual artists.

Other members include Tony Reed, head of commercial at Bruntwood Works, Daniel Jones, director at Melius Finance, solicitor Rob Rea and financial advisor Ian Knox.

They aim to boost the profile of emerging local talent in the city region by enabling them to exhibit in spaces free of charge. The shows will also be free for the public to attend.

Their future vision is to expand to an Edinburgh-fringe-like model, with an annual exhibition selected by the previous year’s artists and spin-off events.

This will allow further opportunities to engage the public and businesses, including workshops, conferences, performances and live painting/sculpting.

The first Liverpool Radicals exhibition, Look Up, will showcase the work of three local artists:

• Kirkby-born Steve Randall, who turned to painting after his wife was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. Self taught and working solely in oils, Steve previously exhibited at The Walker and is currently the artist in residence at Aintree University Hospital.
• Lost Hills, Kirkdale-born artist who works in murals, paste up art, and contemporary paintings around the UK and Europe.
• Toxteth-born Alan Murray, a self taught artist and former winner of the Liverpool Art Fair People’s Choice Award. His public artworks in Liverpool include the Titanic on Park Road and Shankly mural in the Shankly Hotel.

The exhibition is being supported by Hugh and Cathy Frost and Simon Kinsella who are providing space at West Tower and Cass Art who is supporting the hang.

Sophie Wilson from Tuesday Media is helping to curate the show as well as providing PR and marketing support.

Andrew Weatherstone from Nonconform is supplying brand and visual design assets and Major Tony Sandle, an army veteran, is in charge of risk assessment, security and events management.

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Look Up will open on June 28, 29 and 30 at West Tower, just off Old Hall Street, over the ground, first and second floor commercial space. It is free to attend, with refreshments provided. Click here to reserve a free ticket.

Ian Seddon said: “We are a city that has dominated the headlines with football and music for decades.

“Now we want to say to give a clear message to current and the next generation of artists, whether formally trained or not, that there can be a viable career path.

“Unlike traditional representative arrangements, all proceeds raised from art sold will go to the artists. We want to get the commercial community behind it.”