Student artists take over Albert Dock
Students from Liverpool John Moores University's School of Art and Design are to stage their final year Degree Shows at the historic Albert Dock.
Eagerly awaited each year, the annual Degree Shows are a great place to spot emerging artistic talent and visitors will be spoilt for choice with exhibits ranging from illustration, graphic design, multi media, fashion and textiles to architecture and fine art.
Private Views of the shows will be held on Thursday 31 May, with the exhibitions opening to the public on Friday 1 June, from 10am to 4pm daily, closing on Sunday 17 June. Entrance is free.
The Albert Dock was chosen as the new home for the Degree Shows following the success of LJMU's Site gallery at the Dock and the ongoing partnership between the University and the Albert Dock Company. The grade 1 listed visitor attraction was seen as the perfect high profile location to exhibit some of the city's hottest new artistic talent.
The Degree Shows represent the culmination of three years of learning, research and development by LJMU art and design students, and are expected to attract thousands of visitors, including professional artists, designers, potential future employers and supporters from the creative industries.
Martin Downie, Director of the School of Art and Design, said:
"Art school is about doing the things you don't have a chance to do in the real world and some of what you'll see in the degree shows will make you stop and re-evaluate your preconceptions of what constitutes art.
"This year's shows promise to be even better than ever thanks to the University's partnership with the Albert Dock Company. For many of our students this will be the first time that they have exhibited their work in a major exhibition space but I have no doubt that they will rise to challenge in terms of their professionalism and creative ability.
"Some great reputations have been launched at these shows in the past and this year visitors will be treated to some of the best new work in the region. So, if you want to see the tomorrow's stars of the art world today, come down to the Albert Dock."
Graham Cook, Director of the Albert Dock Company said:
"We are very proud to be hosting some of Liverpool's most exciting new creative work at the Albert Dock. Our aim is to constantly improve the visitor experience here and we believe that LJMU's Degree Shows will bring a vibrancy and 'buzz' that will entertain and inspire visitors.
"In line with our focus on tourism and leisure, the visual arts offer at the Albert Dock is getting stronger and stronger. In addition to LJMU's Degree Shows, Site gallery and Tate Liverpool, we are hosting a number of exhibitions by local artists throughout the year and the art shops at the Dock continue to go from strength to strength."
The Degree Shows will showcase work by students in:
- Interior Design, with exhibitions in the Grand Hall, The Colonnades
- Architecture in the Grand Hall, The Colonnades
- Product Design in the Grand Hall, The Colonnades
- Multimedia, in LJMU's Site Gallery, Britannia Pavilion
- Fashion in Unit B2 of the Britannia Pavilion
- Textiles in the Grand Hall, The Colonnades
- Graphic Arts, including illustration, design, animation, in Site Gallery, Britannia Pavilion
- Fine Art in the Site Gallery, Britannia Pavilion and also LJMU's Myrtle Street building.
Final year fashion students will also hold two catwalk shows at the Albert Dock on 31 May, starting at 5pm and 8.30pm. The Degree Shows will open to the public on Friday 1 June, from 10am to 4pm daily, closing on Sunday 17 June. Entrance is free.