A VACANT shop will be transformed into a pop-up gallery by two young painters who are on a mission to make art more accessible across the town.

Naoise Johnson-Martin and Rhyannon Parry both graduated from St Helens College in 2013 in fine art and continued their artistic pursuits by creating the collective Yellow Door Artists, which aims to promote vibrant contemporary art in the town.

The pair originally came up with the idea to use one of the empty shops in the town centre and fill it with a variety of original works from locals artists.

But after facing difficulties finding studio space, they set up studio space and an art gallery in Haydock Street, within the George Street Cultural Quarter, called The Kiiro Gallery.

Due to a lack of funding The Kiiro had to close after 10 months, but Naoise and Rhyannon continued to exhibit work, being offered a curate position at Caffe Nero where they have organised two successful art exhibitions. 

Determined to fulfil their ambition, they successfully applied for £2,000 of funding from the Heart of Glass project to breathe fresh life into an empty retail unit in St Helens town centre. 

“It’s at the beginning and we’re meeting with the Heart of Glass,” said Naoise, 23, who works part-time as a barmaid. 

“The space will be set up in the summer and we are delighted and so excited about it, it’s just nice to be given the opportunity.”

The project will involve six local artists, including Naoise and Rhyannon, engaging in an artist residency programme for a period of four weeks, producing work which will be open to the public.

Yellow Door also have an exhibition of artworks of seven different artists across the town. The works are on show in the Gamble Building until June 12.