Arts Bar Hope Street To Host World Refugee Day Event

Arts Bar Hope Street have always prided themselves on providing a safe space for all and supporting causes they believe. Tuesday 20 June will mark World Refugee Day by hosting an event to raise awareness and prove how visual art can unite us all.

The exhibition will feature more creatives than the venue has ever hosted at one event before, including some who have personal experience in re-locating to a new country.   

Marzieh, who is originally from Iran, taught art and art history there for 25 years. Marzieh is a mixed media artist and when asked about her influences she named Henri Matisse, saying she’s inspired by his, “Eastern art style”. Marzieh also views Persian calligraphy is an essential aspect of her work, commenting that, “it reflects my identity and deep connection to my Persian roots”. Marzieh is also a photographer but says of her work “They resemble paintings more than photography, as I capture reality and turn my camera into another tool for painting”.

Another internationally recognised artist showing work at the event is Mariana Po. Originally from Kyiv, Mariana had to relocated to Liverpool in June 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mariana is also a mixed media artist with much of her work is based in portraiture, as she explains, “People’s faces are my muse, whispering tales of joy, sorrow, love, and longing”.  

Mariana recently gained huge recognition after designing a large piece of graphic art that spanned the bottom of Bold Street, celebrating Liverpool hosting the Eurovision contest on behalf of the Ukraine. When asked about how she feels about the city the artist said, “I love everything about Liverpool, it is the perfect place for creative people. Their support and care have helped me to resurrect the inner me”.

Other creatives involved in the event next week are, graphic artist, Katie Pinch who’ll show several of her large and striking framed pieces. Eileen Nicholson who’s displaying images inspired by Liverpool architecture. Mixed media artist, Kathleen Charters will be returning to show a range of her famously eclectic art works. Steph from Foru plants, who has previously created edible gardens for the venue’s, will present her own hand drawn sketches. Last but by no means least, making her Arts Bar debut, is Welsh artist Tasty Jazz, who’ll be displaying framed original works that will be available to buy on the day.  

Arts Bar Hope Street have created a special drink for the event and a pound from every one sold on the day will go towards helping refugees in the city. In addition to this, artists have pledged that a minimum of 10% of all work sales will also go to the same charitable cause, namely Sahir House’s life-saving LGBTQ+ Refugee & Asylum Service, which the charity currently receives no funding to operate.

Sahir House’s CEO Ant Hopkinson said, “The Arts Bar’s World Refugee Day Exhibition is a fantastic initiative and one which we very much welcome. Whilst Merseyside is renowned for being friendly and welcoming it is clear that relevant practical and emotional support is still sorely lacking and funding is scarce. We need all the help and donations we can muster to continue to operate our vital support services”.

The World Refugee Day exhibition takes place Tuesday 20 June on from, 12-6pm at Arts Bar Hope Street and entry is free to all. For more information please head to lauramccannphotos.com or follow her on Instagram @lauramccannphotos.