Tribute to Graham Shearer

Catalyst Creative Media would like to pay tribute to Graham Shearer, who played an active role over many years within the arts sector in Liverpool.

Graham, 53, who died recently, was an artist in his own right, using pastels or watercolours, helped set up the Arts in the Square project, based in Clayton Square Shopping Cerntre, along with Mike Hatjoullis and Brian Roe, which helped bring art into the public arena.

Arts in the Square helped provide local artists with the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work, not only in the shopping centre but also, among other venues, at The Atrium at the Liver Building, and the Beluga Bar in Wood Street.

"He very much enjoyed setting up arts projects and putting on events," said Hatjoullis,"and helping artists in any way he could."

Personally speaking, Graham was instrumental in helping me stage one of my first public exhibitions of my World Music photographs at the Beluga during 1997.

He was also closely involved with the ACID (Arts & Cultural Industries Development) Fund, first serving on their Advisory Council , before being elected as a director on to the board of ACID.

By Colin Serjent