A Fresh Cup of Coffee!

Urban Arts Coffee Lounge, Smithdown Rd

Reviewed by Colin Serjent

After having seen the loss of several exhibition venues in Liverpool in the past 18 months, including the closure of the Hanover Galleries, Jump Ship Rat, Hub Café and Parking Space, it is especially good news when you hear of a new art space opening.

This is the case with the Urban Arts Coffee Lounge, located in Smithdown Road. It is not new, in the sense of them not having exhibited art work before – various exhibitions have been staged there in the past two years – but new in that new people have taken charge of the space, with fresh and innovative ideas to put into action in regard to the types of work which will be shown there in the future.

“We feel it is a good time to get actively involved in promoting exhibitions at the Urban Café,” said co-exhibition organiser Lis Edgar, who has taken over responsibility for this new role together with fellow artist Sue Lucine.

“Smithdown Road is rapidly developing as an area with new retail outlets, bars and restaurants being opened there,” added Lis. “We believe we can capitalise upon this situation and hopefully attract a lot of people to the exhibitions and maybe buy some of the art work!”

Lis and Sue, who are both members of the Steering Group of the Liverpool based artist network Creative LETS – Lis specialises in oil painting and pastels, recycled paper and associated products, while Sue specialises in pastels and acrylic abstract painting - are offering an opportunity for painters, photographers, sculptors and potters, to put on an exhibition of their work in what Lis feels is “a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.”

The first exhibition under the management of Lis and Sue –Lis having organised a Creative LETS exhibition in Calderstones Park during the summer – is in December, featuring Terry Kane, who produces Cubist inspired oil paintings.

There a number of exhibitions lined up during 2004, with each exhibition running on average for six weeks.

For information regarding staging exhibitions at the Urban Arts Coffee Lounge,
contact Lis: email: lisedgar@iclway.co.uk m: 077 9665 8498 or Sue: 0795 1715 534