AN ART gallery with a difference is due to open this month – set up by sixth-form students to showcase the work of local artists.

The Black and White Community Gallery, in Liscard Road, Liscard, Wallasey, will be run as a money-making business by sixth formers from Calday Grange Grammar School.

It is part of the nationwide Young Enterprise programme which forges links between schools and industry.

Link teacher for the project Geoff Bosworth, who introduced Young Enterprise to Calday Grange five years ago, said: “We wanted to do something that would go beyond manufacturing and selling things from scratch and do something that would capitalise on the incredible artistic talents of our students.

“We hit on the idea of opening our own gallery not only to display this work but also to make money by selling original art, prints, mugs, calendars and other merchandise.

“But we also want it to be an amenity for the community – a place where local artists can show their work and for art workshops for local primary schools.

“I don’t know of anyone who has anything like this.”

The gallery, which will be open daily, will be completely self-funded. It has been supported by Wirral council’s Culture For All campaign which is, in turn, supported by the Liverpool Culture Company as part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture programme. The first month’s display will feature art based on Merseyside landscapes, with different themes in subsequent months.

The students will operate the gallery and run the primary school workshops.

Two local businessmen – Brian Howell, owner of graphic design studio Creativo, and Chris Davidson, owner of communication training company Active Presence – will provide support and mentoring.

The opening ceremony will be overseen by Wirral Cultural Ambassador Mike McCartney.

Artists who may be interested in displaying their work are invited to contact the gallery.

liammurphy