About Shuffle
Run by Liverpool-based artists Josie Jenkins and Max Mallender, Shuffle transforms empty spaces into cultural hotspots with cutting-edge art, design and music. Our mission is to elevate the city’s artistic voice, connect its people to contemporary art and encourage property owners to unlock the potential of their unused spaces for the city’s creative evolution. Shuffle goes beyond the traditional art exhibition with opening events that offer a dynamic interplay between diverse art forms, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in Liverpool’s grassroots art scene on a uniquely intimate level. We generate the income needed to support our activities through ticketed events and the sale of food, drinks, artwork and specialist goods.
Origin & Vision
Shuffle emerged from a pressing need: to reinvent the concept of art spaces and make them resonate with the broader public. While serving at The Royal Standard, our founder Max Mallender quickly recognised the dichotomy – dynamic underground art not reaching its potential audience due to a disconnect between these micro-cultures and the general public. Most galleries felt mundane and did not platform the exciting cutting-edge art that he himself witnessed. Art events, often perceived as exclusive, had become predictable and confined to a niche, leaving many fantastic artists and their creations in the shadows.
Co-founder Josie Jenkins, sharing Max's vision, has been pivotal in bringing this concept to life. Both being artists, they have an intrinsic understanding of the art scene's needs, challenges, and potential. Together, they've curated events that not only highlight emerging talent but also foster a holistic cultural experience. As Shuffle, Josie and Max partner with building owners and commercial ventures because they see the beneficial effects of economic growth and private investment on a city’s artistic output. Shuffle does not look to receive state funding, rather it creates its own in a strategic move to be as independent as possible in order to follow its own artistic vision.
Our Solution?
Break the mold of conventional galleries.
We integrate elements familiar to everyone - like music, bars and cafes. By doing so, we've transformed art spaces into lively hubs where visitors can relax with a drink, enjoy a performance, and naturally interact with the art around them. It's about making art feel less like an "extra world" and more a part of our everyday lives.
Our Achievements
- In the last 12 months Shuffle has produced four vibrant events across Liverpool that attracted over 650 visitors.
- We exhibited work by 50 artists from various locations, showcasing diverse art forms and cutting-edge contemporary art.
- We facilitated the sale of several artworks, bridging the gap between artists and art enthusiasts.
Looking Ahead
The future is promising and expansive. Beyond Liverpool, we envision rejuvenating high streets in towns and cities throughout the UK. We're not just limited to art – any businesses looking to test an idea can find a home with Shuffle. As we grow, we're determined to be an endless catalyst for creativity, ensuring urban areas remain vibrant and appealing to young and innovative minds.
Our unique proposition remains two-fold: offering building owners a compelling business rates relief model and granting unparalleled access to the exceptional work by emerging and established artists. With Max and Josie's deep network and understanding of the art scene, Shuffle is perfectly positioned to redefine urban art experiences.
Meet The Founders
Max Mallender's artistic journey isn't confined to the UK. Represented by the contemporary gallery, Artbase, in Wiesbaden, Germany, Max has also showcased his work extensively throughout Liverpool, Manchester, and London. Beyond Europe, he ventured into curating diverse artistic experiences by running Otres Market – a renowned live music venue and arts market located in Otres Beach, Cambodia. From 2011 to 2016, this venue became a cultural magnet through its dynamic weekly events.
Closer to home, from 2019 - 2021 Max was artistic director of The Royal Standard in Liverpool – a commendable charity with a 14-year legacy that thrives on spotlighting emerging contemporary artists and offering them both studios and exhibition spaces.
This international and diverse exposure gave Max the insight and experience to envision Shuffle's unique approach to art, community, and urban revitalisation. Combining forces with Josie, they've aimed to rewrite the narrative of how cities interact with art, music and unused spaces.
Josie Jenkins isn't just an artist, she's recognised as part of Liverpool's contemporary art scene as a multifaceted organiser and producer. Her influence extends beyond her own creations, with her involvement in projects that support and spotlight Liverpool's flourishing talent. This has included co-producing Liverpool Artists’ Network, an engagement platform for artists and Refractive Pool, a project which showcases the unique and vibrant works of contemporary painters based in the city. The Refractive Pool project included an exhibition at Liverpool's prestigious Walker Art Gallery in 2022. Previously she was Director at Arena Studios. This long-standing charity has served as a creative sanctuary for artists for over three decades.
As an artist, Josie’s work has notably been showcased in the Refractive Pool exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery and in 2020 a solo exhibition at Liverpool's famed Bluecoat gallery. Internationally, exhibition locations have spanned from Iceland to China.
In partnering with Max for Shuffle, Josie merges her extensive experience and fervent passion to cultivate transformative art spaces that captivate and resonate.
