Myrtle Artists Collective

By Colin Serjent

Another new arts organisation, following the formation of Red Dot Exhibitions and The Long Journey Home exhibition group earlier this year, has sprung up in Liverpool.

A group of 14 former HNC/HND arts students, ranging from 21 to 63 years-of-age, from Liverpool Community Arts College based on Myrtle Street, have set up Myrtle, an artists collective, who held their first exhibition, which was well attended throughout its run, at the ArtSpeQ gallery in the Quiggins Centre during the summer.

"All the members have a great hunger and desire to produce and promote their work," said Elizabeth Willow, one of Myrtle's founder members. "It is a very dedicated group - we fully support one another - with people taking on different roles at any given time - it varies depending on the circumstances."

"What is particularly pleasing is that the artists have learnt new skills since being involved in the collective," she added, "for instance, promotion and marketing, public relations and administration."

Myrtle's next exhibition will be staged at the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, off Smithdown Lane, during the 2004 Liverpool Arts Biennial, and will run from 12 September until 18 October.

"It is a great space," added Willow, "and because of the constrictions imposed there, due to the wet conditions, it will prove a good discipline for the artists involved and a good learning experience for them."