Local artists invited to capture city’s iconic landmarks with Liverpool ONE this weekend

Aspiring artists will have the chance to show off their talents as Liverpool ONE hosts a massive outdoor sketching and painting event to mark the Liver Sketching Club’s 150th anniversary. 

The free event, which takes place on Saturday 9 July, will give painters and sketchers the opportunity to capture both landscape and portrait models right across the retail and leisure destination.

Visitors will be able to drop in to various painting and sketching points across 12 locations, including the Green Flag-awarded Chavasse Park, the newly installed Liverpool sign on Thomas Steers Way and Sugar House Steps.

Those taking part will then be encouraged to submit photographs of their creations for the chance to have their work shared by Liverpool ONE.

Set up in 1872, the Liver Sketching Club is the oldest continuously active art club in England, with members meeting around 40 times each month at the club’s studio on Water Street to draw and paint.

Now, the club is marking its milestone birthday by encouraging newcomers to art to get involved and create their own masterpieces, with expertise being offered by club members throughout the day.

Peter Holland, Club President of the Liver Sketching Club, said:

“We are incredibly proud to have reached such a landmark anniversary, having coached and worked with some of the city’s most talented artists.

“As a city, Liverpool perfectly lends itself to helping to create fantastic pieces of art – from its iconic skyline to the hidden corners of the city, there are tonnes of opportunities to sketch or paint something that’s truly unique.

“Our anniversary event at Liverpool ONE will give us the chance to get out and meet newcomers to art, as well as showing visitors what our members can do…and how they could be part of it, too!

“We’ll have volunteers dotted around, who are all really keen to share tips, help newcomers hone their skills, and pass on their expertise, so it should be a very special event.”

Sketching and painting points will be located at the following:

• John Lewis & Partners bridge, facing Thomas Steers Way (landscape)
• Peter’s Square by Hotel Chocolat  (model)
• Slope of Chavasse Park, near flat path at bottom (landscape and model)
• Amphitheatre at the top of Sugar House Steps (model)
• Stone podium on Chavasse Park near The Club House (model)
• Under John Lewis & Partners canopy on Paradise Street, facing Sailors’ Home Gates (landscape)
• Liverpool Sign (landscape)
• Between Millie’s Cookies and Hilton Hotel, facing Sugar House Steps/John Lewis & Partners (landscape)
• Centre of Paradise Street, facing John Lewis & Partners (landscape)
• Centre of Paradise Street, facing Zig Zag Steps (landscape)
• Upper South John Street bridge (landscape)
• Centre of Chavasse Park

As part of the event, visitors will have a choice of drawing costumed models, following along with a landscape painting demo or booking a space on sessions hosted by Apple Store and Cass Art.

Anyone taking part is encouraged to bring their painting/sketching equipment, but there will be a limited number of goody bags containing equipment on the day.

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:

“Our city is home to some incredible talent, so it’s really exciting to be hosting this event here at Liverpool ONE and helping to mark the Liver Sketching Club’s 150^th anniversary.

“We’re hoping the celebration will encourage the next generation of artists to pursue their ambitions and take steps to hone their skills. The event will also no doubt create a real buzz across Liverpool ONE and will provide great spectator opportunities, too.”

No booking is required for the event, but visitors will need to register their interest in activities hosted by Apple and Cass Art, by going along to the main info point on Chavasse Park. These sessions will last 90 minutes and take place at 1pm and 3pm.

For more information about the event, visit: www.liverpool-one.com/event/liver-sketching-club-at-liverpool-one