Creatives of the City Series by Grace Stokoe
Content note: references to domestic abuse, agoraphobia and depression.
Charlotte Barry is a non-binary local artist and event planner, ‘Anfield born and bred’, who aims to build accessible spaces for creatives across Merseyside. Barry launched their events business, Unnamed Project Exhibition, in August 2023, attracting over 60 people to showcase and soak in art around the theme ‘Individuality’. From artwork and original music to interpretive dance, Barry provides the community with a platform to express themselves in any way they see fit.
“We always try to have a different theme, keeping it broad so people can experiment,” they explain. “Sometimes you can’t draw inspiration if the brief is niche.”
Having grown up in a creative family, amongst dancers and musicians, Barry chose to study art because they “didn’t feel connected to anything else”. They even refer to their father’s job as a kitchen fitter, explaining, “It sounds silly, but he’s very good with colours, deciding what goes together, and he’s very into DIY, which falls into the creative bubble.”
Dropping out of high school due to agoraphobia, Barry’s art teacher, Miss Donnelly, was the only one who advocated for them to take their exams.
“Miss Donnelly gave up her time to teach me for four hours every Wednesday,” remembers Barry. “She pushed me to where I needed to be, and for that I’m always grateful.”
Reflecting on their struggles with agoraphobia and domestic abuse, Barry hopes to show the world that ‘it gets better’ through the medium of art.
“Up until the age of 21, I was severely depressed. I’ve come a long way since then, and I like to think it’s because my art gives me a purpose,” they explain. “When people look at it, I want them to feel disturbed and also comforted.”
Drawing inspiration from Austrian-born artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Barry’s love for the weird and wonderful is clear to see. “I studied him during my GCSEs yonks ago,” Barry recalls. “He’s very abstract and surrealist, but he’s also an architect.”
Barry enthuses about the Hundertwasser House in Vienna: “It’s the wackiest sh*t you’ll ever see in your life!”
While art has always been at the forefront of Barry’s mind, it wasn’t until January 2023 that their love for event planning became apparent, when they were asked to exhibit at Smithdown Social Arts Club for an LGBTQ+ event.
“It was the first exhibition I’d been in without being in a class. I just got accepted,” they reminisce. “From there, the idea was planted in my head – I could do something like that.”
That night, Barry sold a painting for the first time, noting the experience as their breakthrough moment. One month later, the Liverpool Echo got in touch for an interview. “It was crazy because I’ve never had an opportunity like that, that felt like I could make a career out of my work.”
Barry’s dream of earning a living through art may be within reach, but for the time being, they’re grafting in any way they can.
“I’ve recently left two jobs, but I had four on the go just to fund the flat and my art,” they say. “I’m constantly looking for new opportunities and ways to better myself because I hate staying still.”
Putting this down to their Scouse heritage, Barry declares, “I always try to be as Scouse as I can, it just has to happen. Scousers are hard workers naturally.”
Following Unnamed Project Exhibition’s first event, Barry has welcomed friends Lex and Becca onto the team. They’ve explored numerous themes, including ‘Generations’, ‘Belonging’ and ‘The Inner Voice’.
“Think dreamscapes, surrealism, wacky and fun. Whatever you imagine your inner conscience to be,” they explain.
“We’re naturally drawn to each other,” says Barry, reflecting on their friendships with fellow creatives. “Every single one of my friends is in some way creative – artists, musicians, filmmakers – and they’ve always got really good insight. If I do a painting, I can ask my photographer mate what they think about the lighting. Everyone has some sort of feedback you wouldn’t think of as a painter. You get to see them evolve and cheer them on; it’s why I created Unnamed – it’s a way to meet people who are the same.”
Barry is on a mission to improve accessibility within the local art scene and has also raised £500 for charity through a fundraiser gig for Refugee Women Connect. The charity supports women seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of trafficking as they build safe lives in the UK.
In August 2026, the Unnamed team hosted their biggest expo of the year. Exploring ‘The Inner Voice’, the sold-out event was a huge success and was held at Bridewell Studios, Barry’s ‘dream venue – a gorgeous old police house’.
Barry’s main objective is to ‘become the most accessible events company in the city’, envisioning their own venue where they can ‘fight for creatives to have a space’.
Aiming to run workshops for £10 and under, they express their concern about the classism of creative workshop prices, often costing over £30 per ticket. “In this day and age, that just isn’t doable if you are a creative working a part-time job.”
Alongside developing the Unnamed Project Exhibition brand, the artist hopes to take on curating work for museums or galleries.
“I grew up feeling like I didn’t have a space, and I want to give kids that chance,” they share. “Not everyone has a Miss Donnelly, so I’d like to repay the favour she gave to me.”
Follow @charllottebarry on Instagram for updates.
