Metal, the new organisers behind the Liverpool Art Prize, have formed a new partnership with Liverpool John Moores University’s School of Art and Design and some of the city’s leading independent arts organisations, studio groups and artists’ networks to make this happen. 

On Friday 4^th May Arena Studios and Gallery will present their 10^th annual art auction with artwork available to bid on including work by each of the five shortlisted Liverpool Art Prize artists.  This is an opportunity to buy contemporary artwork by some of Liverpool’s rising stars, viewings of the work from 6pm auction starts at 7pm.

A series of exhibitions and installations will be presented on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout May by RedWire Artists Studios and arts organisation Wolstenholme Creative Space. This includes the exhibition, DIRT, from 9^th-12^th May that presents video, drawing, sculpture and sounds around the perception of dirt by four artists.Spectrum, at Wolstenholme Creative Space from 10^th-17^th May, features 15 solo exhibitions with five Liverpool-based artists, duos and collectives exhibiting each week.

On 25 May – 1 June there will also be the opportunity to see the LJMU School of Art and Design final degree show at the Art and Design Academy (ADA), on Duckinfield Street (next to the Catholic Cathedral). The School’s degree show is always a key event in the city’s cultural calendar. This year’s event runs over the weekend so there’s no reason not to pop in to the ADA for a look around and a chat with the students and staff.  

The final weekend in May will feature the inaugural Liverpool Art Fair (www.liverpoolartfair.com), oganised by dot-art,an exciting new open submission selling event over five days, designed to connect local artists with new art buyers on a large scale, break down barriers, and make affordable art accessible to all. It will take place across two large exhibition spaces in the newly rejuvenated Camp and Furnace (previously the A-Foundation) in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle; launching on the evening of Thursday 31st May, and open to the public from 11am-6pm from Friday 1st - Monday 4th June.

Also look out for the many events happening across Liverpool’s Light Night on Friday 18^th May.

The Liverpool Art Month is currently accepting donations from individuals and organisations who want to see the event get even bigger and better, both this year and for the future. To achieve this, they have created a ‘Crowdfunding’ site, where donations can be made easily. In return, there are numerous tokens on offer including the opportunity for a Liverpool Art Prize Nominee to lead a workshop at your workplace or venue.

 There is also a video on the site explaining a little more about the art month.   http://www.sponsume.com/project/liverpool-art-month. 

This announcement is in addition to Metal’s two fantastic new award prizes that will be up for grabs as part of this year’s Liverpool Art Month. The prizes join the fifth annual Liverpool Art Prize and are announced as a year-long studio residency at Metal and a month-long international residency in Shanghai, China.

The two new Residency prizes exist alongside the main Art Prize with a separate nominations and judging process, which is now open. For the first time, artists based outside of the Merseyside area are eligible to apply.  Full details of who can apply and downloadable application forms can be found at http://www.metalculture.com/liverpool/liverpool-art-prize-2012.html.

The Liverpool Art Prize is a competition of contemporary art, which was inspired by the Turner Prize and began in 2008. It is open to all professional artists based or born in the Liverpool City Region or in the surrounding boroughs of Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, Halton and Sefton.

More information can also be found at www.liverpoolartprize.com

See also http://www.metalculture.com and http://liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/

LIVERPOOL ART MONTH - A breakdown of the events listed so far.

The Void | Bluecoat Arts Centre | 26 April (Private View)  – 9 June

A diverse group of artists from the Bluecoat are exploring, challenging and embracing 'Void.'  'The concept of the Void represents what cannot be depicted, defined or fully understood.  Markus Soukup, Lucy Fry, Lisa Cole Kronenburg, Rosalind Hargreaves, Robert Porter, Christine Toh and Jeanne-Marie Kenny will respond to the quality of absence.

Elements and Satellites | Walker Art Gallery |1 – 31 May

Elements & Satellites is a display of recent work by 2011 Liverpool Art Prize winner Markus Soukup at the Walker Art Gallery.  As part of his award last year he was invited to create a new exhibition for the Walker.  The exhibition includes a new piece made especially for the gallery. 

The Owls Are Not What They See | Red Wire Studio | 2 (Private View) – 6 May

By Emma Gilmour / Sarah Jones / Amanda Jones.

Focusing on deep primitive fears that humanity retains such as fear of the dark and a fear of the unknown; the artists have used film, textiles, painting and photography to create a claustrophobic environment; partially inspired by directors such as David Lynch and painters like Max Beckmann among others. This is an exploration into the rationalities or irrationalities of fear, mortality, the here-after and how our surroundings absorb and interact with these.

MAYd @ the Bridewell | New work by Bridewell Artists | The Bridewell Studios | 3 (Private View) – 27 May

A show of new work by the Bridewell artists. The Bridewell currently has 33 artists and craftspeople working in its individual spaces. The many art forms include painting, stone/wood sculpture, jewellery, stained glass, textiles, print-making, ceramics, metal and multi-media. The gallery space has been an integral part of the Studios working life offering exhibiting opportunities to members, visiting artists and the local community.

The Art Show, S/S12. ‘New Liverpool’ | The Gallery, Camp and Furnace | 3 May | 7pm

The Art Show ‘Fine Art Exhibition’ | The Gallery, Camp and Furnace | 4 – 6 May | 11am – 6pm

Presented by Matt Ford and dot-art.

The Art Show is an experience that combines live performance & music with fine art exhibitions. Four breakthrough artists from Liverpool, re-conceive their vision of contemporary culture within the city. Each artist, short listed for their experimental perceptions of the local cityscape, will showcase this body of work & new personal notions of their city today.  Fine art on sale from £100-£1000. Live performances from The Sense of Sound Singers and DJ Sets from CANT MIX WONT MIX SHDNT MIX DONT MIX.  (Sponsored by Camp and Furnace).

DIRT | Red Wire Studio | 9 (Private View) – 12 May

Presented by Kevin Casey / Matthew Lloyd / Alan Williams

Is dirt our last friend or enemy? Our final resting place or a journey to somewhere else? Presented with video, drawing, sculpture and sounds Red Wire artists Kevin Casey, Matthew Lloyd, Alan Williams exhibit different portrayals of what DIRT means to them.

Art From the Square | The Gallery Liverpool | 11 (Private View) – 25 May

This group, who originated showing in Clayton Square, Liverpool city centre, has since been an important stimulus in helping artists to extend and develop their work. They encompass an eclectic range of styles and methods including paintings, drawings, prints and textiles to a professional standard by artists active locally and nationally.

Spectrum |Wolstenholme Creative Space| 10, 17 & 24 May

As part of Liverpool Art Month WCS Presents SPECTRUM: 15 solo exhibitions, with 5 Liverpool based Artists, Duos and Collectives from various stages of their careers, exhibiting each week.  A hugely eclectic, unique and exciting roster has been formed that will exhibit work that together spans the myriad of practice, process, medium and concept that makes up the landscape of creative practitioners in a 'post-08' Liverpool.

Noisy, political, personal, humorous, intelligent and determined – a reflection of the city’s current creative community.

Adriana Galuppo | Dan Simpkins + Penny Whitehead | Emily Speed | Jason Haynes | Julieann O’Malley | Jo Hicks | Kevin Hunt | Michael Aitken | Nicki McCubbing | Penny Davenport | Rhonda Davies | Ria Fell | Roly Carline | Tomo | Tony Knox

Breeze Group Show |Victoria Street| 16 (Private View) – 20 May

Introducing Breeze, a new studio group based in Victoria Street, Liverpool. Studio artists present their current work featuring fine art, street art, photography and fashion.

Narratives of Disarray |Red Wire Studio| 16 (Private View) –19 May

The 'overlooked' and the 'exposed' provide a starting point in both artists work. Lead by personal curiosity and the obsessive collecting of images and objects, different narrative methods are presented through painting and drawing to explore sentimentality and unease with various subjects, whether virtual or domestic. Both Artists set out to question and explore perceived realities' of their subjects and the fantasies they evoke.

Abnormality |Red Wire Studio| 23 (Private View) – 26 May

Presented by Robert Flynn / Katie Craven

A collaborative exhibition between Red Wire artists Katie Craven and Rob Flynn within the realms of surrealism, using a medium of photography, sculpture & painting.

Albert Camus and The Fall - The Anarchitecture of Liverpool? |Arena Studios and Gallery| 24 (Private View) -27 May

A short short film with an experimental soundtrack attempting to create new routes around the city. Created for Liverpool Art Month by Arena Studios members Adam Sadiq and Danielle Chinn.

LJMU Liverpool School of Art and Design 2012 Degree Show | @ ADA| 24 May (Private View) - 1 June, open all week (inclusive of the weekend) 12-6pm,

Red Wire Group Show, | Red Wire Studio| 30 May (Private View) – 2 June

Red Wire studio artists present a group show of recent artworks. 

Workshops

Cyanotype |Red Wire Studio| 7 / 14/ 21 / 28 May – 12pm-5pm

Presented by Kevin Casey

Cyanotype is an antique photographic process distinctive for its Prussian blue monochrome prints.  The Cyanotype process involves using traditional fine art materials and photographic (film) camera techniques and processes.  The process demonstrates an alternative, and more sustainable method, to creating images in the digital era.  Whilst there is the need to use some digital technology this will be kept to a minimum.

Deviation |Red Wire Studio| 7/ 14 / 21/ 28 May- 6pm till Late

Presented by Robert Flynn

Red Wire Studio hosts Deviation, a series of alternative and surreal life drawing sessions throughout Liverpool Art Month. Giving people the chance to experience models, situations and still life installations which offer different and interesting shapes, textures and lighting that isn't usually encountered within a normal life drawing class.

Other events

The Arena Auction |Arena Studios and Gallery at Elevator Bar & Food, 25 Parliament St| 4 May, 6-10pm

Arena Studios and Gallery are proud to announce the return of its internationally famous art auction for Liverpool Art Month. The very cream of the northern art scene will be invited to present work that reflects the diversity and passion of their practice for auction; offering a fantastic opportunity to buy high end, quality art work and support local artists.

Liverpool Art Now Part Two |The Bohemia Space - MelloMello - 40-42 Slater St| 5 May 7.30pm til late

Red Wire artist Matthew Lloyd curates his next show at The Bohemia Space: Liverpool Art Now Part Two, showcasing the best and varied contemporary art that Liverpool has to offer.

www.thebohemiaspace.tumblr.com

Open Discussion: The Gender of Art and Photography |Red Wire Studio| 14 May - 12pm till 5pm

Presented by Emma Gilmour

An informal discussion group in the welcoming surroundings of MelloMello. This free event is open to everyone interested in gender in the art world, particularly the role and expectations of female artists. Is it possible, or even desirable, to determine the artist's gender from the work alone and how valid is the role of the female artist in the art world generally? Includes guest speakers.  Places limited, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book.

Light Night at Arena |Arena Studios and Gallery| 18 May, 6pm-9pm

Join Arena Studios and Gallery and participate in another of their notorious Light Night shows. Plus explore the arty treasure trove of the Arena Studios where you can discover inspiring creations and artworks in progress!

Red Wire Open Studio Art Fair |Red Wire Studio| 18 May

Red Wire will open its studios with its very own artist fair. Zines, Prints, T-shirts, CD's and Original Artworks all for sale from the Red Wire artists.

FAVELA | Royal Standard Studio | 17 & 18 May, 2-8pm

The Royal Standard, an artist-led gallery and studios, opens its doors to the public for FAVELA! This exciting, one-off event showcases the current work of the artists housed in the space.

Liverpool Art Fair: Affordable Art for All |Camp and Furnace| 31 May (Private View) – 4 June, 11-6pm

Presented by dot-art  

Showcasing a wide range of affordable original art by over fifty local artists, including a section of specially created work under £100, the Liverpool Art Fair provides a unique insight into the region's creative talent. Whether seasoned collector or first time art buyer, the fair will give everyone the opportunity to own their own piece of the Liverpool art world. (Sponsored by Camp and Furnace)

Trading Station |POST| Throughout May

TRADING STATION provides an on-line and physical platform for artistic exchange between Liverpool and Istanbul. During Liverpool Art Month, POST will launch a series of newspaper publications that document their exchange, which will be available at venues around Liverpool and will hold a discussion event around virtual and physical modes of exchange (check website for dates www.postliverpool.com)

WCS Presents The Liverpool Art Month Closing Party |Wolstenholme Creative Space| 1 June, 7pm-late

WCS brings all LAM organisations, artists and visitors together for this special closing party marking the end of LAM 2012.

All are welcome to join us for a last chance to celebrate the first LAM. Guests will include all LAM organisations and artists, providing an all encompassing representation of the organisations, galleries, artists and exhibitions that made LAM 2012. We hope you can join us. Suggested donation £2