"Our landlords – Max Stone from Frensons – and businessman Allan Johnstone have been very supportive over the years but we know we have to move. But we can’t find a new venue.
"It will be tragic if the Academy winds up particularly with its track record that includes a spell under the mentoring of the late Adrian Henri and which was given a new lease of life by Arthur Dooley in 1988."
"The building even contains Arthur’s last studio where he worked until his death in 1994. It has remained untouched as he left it, and we were hoping to put on a retrospective of his work next year," commented June who has tirelessly run the gallery since she gave up her theatrical costumier business 20 years ago.
Every year June Lornie stages a dozen or more exhibitions at the Academy’s Seel Street venue, that allow artists of both amateur and professional status to show their works.
Her latest – with a sporting theme - opened last week with more than 200 paintings on display.
"And we have also been loaned memorabilia for display by Liverpool and Everton football clubs, along with the Liverpool Lawn Tennis Club, which indicates the level of support we have," said June who has launched an appeal for help to save the Academy for the city.
"It is tragic that an arts legacy like this is under threat just as Liverpool is about to come under world scrutiny for its Capital of Culture year," she added.
