Calling all artists…LJLA gives local artists a platform to showcase work

Today, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) launches its Community Art Project enabling local artists to display their work within the terminal, throughout the European Capital of Culture year.

Working alongside the Liverpool Culture Company, LJLA has allocated five large areas of wall space throughout public areas of the terminal, to maximise the audience who can observe the artist’s work. LJLA is offering the space to a wide variety of local artists including schools, photographers, weavers, embroiderers, art and community groups to display their work as part of a four month rolling programme to showcase new exhibits throughout the year.
LJLA has created an application form to help with the selection process and artists and groups interested should log on to LJLA’s website to download the form or to request a hard copy via the post, telephone 0151 907 1622 and leave a contact name and full postal address.

Neil Pakey, Managing Director at LJLA, said: “John Lennon Airport is an emerging northwest public arts venue and therefore we are delighted to be giving local artists the chance to display their work to our thousands of passengers and visitors, especially during this Capital of Culture year. We hope that some of the local artists may be inspired by John himself, but regardless we are looking forward to working with a wide range of artists, offering people something different to look at alongside the current exhibits at the airport. It will be great to show-off the local art talent to European visitors and who knows; maybe we can help be a springboard for the careers of the Liverpool artists of tomorrow.”

Phil Redmond, Creative Director of Liverpool Culture Company, said: “I am delighted that LJLA is providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talent to a truly international audience. To embrace art and culture throughout a public building such as LJLA is fantastic, as it vividly promotes why we are European Capital of Culture from the moment you arrive in Liverpool and right up until you depart.”

Following the launch late last year of LJLA’s unique collection of photography and art displayed around the terminal building known as ‘Collection ’08, LJLA is keen to work with local artists and give them the opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience.

LJLA’s latest addition to Collection ’08 is The Taxi Project which was part of the Tate Liverpool’s Turner Prize 2007 exhibition and displayed alongside the Prize nominees. The Taxi Project is now on display in the arrivals area within the airport and already provoking interest with arriving passengers.

For further details on the Community Art Project and/or to apply online click on ‘Art at the Airport’ icon and then ‘Community Art’ and download the application form.