Scouse Van Gough puts Southport in the picture with his first gallery
International award-winning artist John Charles, dubbed the Scouse Van Gough for his bold use of vibrant colour and his unique approach to art will launch his own private gallery – Gallery Artist John Charles – this Friday (7 February 2025) in Southport.
Located at 22 Union Street in Southport the gallery marks a milestone for the Liverpool native who has been a professional artist since 2019, and the fulfilment of a long-time dream for the artist who credits his love of art with providing him with an outlet for his creativity while battling drink and drug addiction.
Now with more than a decade sober and having turned his hobby into his full-time career, selling artwork to collectors all over the globe, John saw an opportunity to transform a former shop in the seaside town into Gallery Artist John Charles.
Commenting on the new gallery John said: ” Owning my own gallery has been a dream for years now and from the moment my wife and I saw this space we knew it would be perfect. I’ve been lucky enough to work with galleries before and they’ve really boosted my profile and career, but I’m now excited to do things my own way with Gallery Artist John Charles.”
The artist, his wife and business manager, Jen have carefully designed the space to create an area which not only showcases to collectors John’s work but also offers a space for him to sit down with them, have a coffee and just talk.
John added: “Art is an amazing medium for communication but one of the biggest privileges I have as an artist is for my work to become part of people’s homes and lives. With the gallery we sought to create a space that would allow us to properly meet the people who buy or commission my work and to share a conversation.
“We have big plans for the studio space within the gallery too. It will provide a space for me to continue my project work with local councils and Motiv8 who look after kids and young adults with special education needs and disabilities.”
The artist however is also looking to help more people in Merseyside and beyond to discover or rediscover their creative side by running immersive paint and date classes, although the artist highlights they are as much for friends and family as they are for couples. These classes will offer attendees the chance to unleash their creative side in a private studio with guidance from the artist.
In addition to his new gallery John Charles will continue his longstanding partnerships with galleries in the Middle East including Qube Art Gallery and ftNFT Phygital Gallery but UK collectors will only be able to get his work directly via his website or the new Southport gallery which will be open to the public on Fridays and via appointment, Sunday to Thursday.
For more details about Artist John Charles visit: www.artistjohncharles.com