Happy 10th Birthday to us!
dot-art was founded in Liverpool in 2006 and specialises in affordable, high quality, locally sourced art. Over the past 10 years, dot-art has supported visual artists from all across the North West and has worked with hundreds of creatives, businesses, clients and customers, to champion art as integral part of everyday life.
Look back at 10 dot-art milestones as we leap into another decade of creativity!
2006
dot-art was founded by Lucy Byrne in January 2006. An Art History graduate from the University of Liverpool, Lucy has a wealth of experience in planning, developing and implementing a wide range of visual art projects, coupled with an extensive contact network of artists and partners across the North West.
Later that year, dot-art launched its first gallery in Oriel Close, Water Street, Liverpool.
dot-art at Oriel Close
2007
Following the success of Oriel Close, dot-art relocated to a bigger gallery space at 2-4 Queen Avenue, Castle Street.
dot-art Gallery 2-4 Queen Avenue
2008
Expansion of dot-art led to the launch of our popular Framing, Valuation and Restoration services which later grew to include bespoke Fine Art Printing.
For more information, visit: http://dot-art.co.uk/art-lover/
2010
In 2010, dot-art formalised its mission to support artists by initiating dot-art Services CIC. Through a range of services and opportunities designed to help artists develop their careers and gain exposure and promotion of their work, dot-art Services CIC acts as our not-for-profit arm which also supports the delivery of art classes (2011) and dot-art Schools (2012).
2011
Motivated by making art accessible for all, dot-art Services CIC began running art classes at Bluecoat. 5 years later, dot-art continues to host classes at Bluecoat as well as Hope Street Ltd, Sefton Park Palm House, Ness Botanic Gardens and dot-art Gallery. Classes include painting, life drawing, jewellery making, photography, sculpture, drawing and print making!
To find out more about upcoming art classes, visit: http://dot-art.co.uk/art-classes/
dot-art hosts art classes at Bluecoat, Hope Street Ltd, Sefton Park Palm House, dot-art Gallery and Ness Gardens. Photo: Brian Roberts
2012
Liverpool Art Fair was launched in May 2012 as part of the inaugural Liverpool Art Month. Since then we have showcased over 1000 new artworks by some of the region’s most talented artists, to thousands of art lovers, providing a unique insight into the region’s creative talent.
Developed by dot-art, Liverpool Art Fair is an open submission selling event, designed to connect local artists with new art buyers on a large scale, break down barriers, and make affordable art accessible to all.
Every year, visitors are invited to come along and experience the work of some of the region’s most talented visual artists with prices starting at £20!
Liverpool Art Fair at The Gallery Liverpool, May 2016
2012
With the threat to art subjects in schools and in recognition of the need to provide more creativity opportunities for Primary and Secondary pupils, dot-art developed and launched dot-art Schools in 2012.
The contest gives both Year 6 and Year 9 pupils across the Liverpool city region the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and have their work displayed in a public exhibition. In the past four years the competition has received more than 2700 entries from 166 schools across the region, helping to nurture and celebrate talent, raise ambition and take art out of the classroom and in to the real world.
Want to know more about dot-art Schools? Visit the website and see how you can get involved: http://schools.dot-art.com/
dot-art Schools 2015-2016 Overall Primary Winner & Runners Up
2013-2014
During this time, dot-art hosted a number of pop-up shops across Liverpool city centre including retail spaces at Bluecoat, Cavern Walks and the Met Quarter. Wanting to make art accessible, relevant and enjoyable for all, we provided public access to quality and affordable art work in friendly, non-gallery environments.
dot-art Pop Up Shop Cavern Walks
2014
This led to our partnership with Revolver Retail in 2014 which saw the launch of a a brand new dot-art exhibition and retail space at Rex, located within Liverpool’s iconic George Henry Lees Building on Basnett Street.
Over the next 18 months, Rex grew and moved to the Met Quarter and in June 2016 found its true home on Bold Street. Exhibiting and selling original and limited edition artworks by Artist Members, dot-art had now arrived at one of Liverpool’s most famous streets.
dot-art at Rex
2016
10 years on and in February 2016, dot-art found its permanent home with the launch of a brand new gallery space at 14 Queen Avenue.
In the heart of Liverpool’s commercial district, the gallery offers; original and limited edition artworks for sale; framing, valuation, restoration and fine art printing services; an annual programme of exhibitions and a creative hub of support and friendly advice from our team of staff for any of your artistic needs.
In May 2016 we welcomed 400 visitors to the gallery for LightNight and in June 2016 we launched our brand new website!
dot-art Gallery at 14 Queen Avenue, Castle Street, Liverpool
Want to know more about dot-art’s history? Take a look at this special birthday video that maps out our first 10 years:
Click here to find out more and visit our current exhibition.
Browse our new online shop here – don’t forget, you can request to see any piece of work at our new Liverpool city centre gallery on Queen Avenue.
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dot-art Gallery launch, February 2016