Starbucks and York gallery According To McGee are uniting for the Red Dot Event, a series of art displays at the Coppergate coffeehouse that will bond cappuccinos with contemporary art.

“Starbucks approached us and asked us to source some art work for their upstairs café,” said gallery co-owner Greg McGee. “This is an honour for us – we love what Starbucks do with Fairtrade and the location in the middle of Coppergate is perfect.”

The series will be launched on Thursday with a taster evening from 6pm to 7pm when the work of the first artist in the spotlight, abstract landscape painter Andy Fullalove, goes on show until mid-September. The paintings are not for sale but are available to buy from According To McGee, a three-minute walk away in Tower Street.

Explaining the link-up, Greg said: “We thought that rather than just provide feng shui in which people can sip coffee, let’s make it a project, a series of two-month shows from the best contemporary artists in the North. Let’s give the project an identity and a name that resonates.”

Hence The Red Dot Event, which pertains to the red dot that a gallery puts on a sold picture, or the red dot that tells tourists where they are on a city’s map to indicate You Are Here. “York being the biggest recipient of tourists in the UK, we thought, why not?” said Greg.

“It’s also an indirect tribute to Starbucks’ work with charity Product (Red): we love how the brand raises awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa as well as how they champion Fairtrade. If we can help flag up the same concerns among the artistic and coffee-drinking community in York, then that makes us very happy.”

Natasha Long, Starbucks’ barista and coffee master, said: “Starbucks Coppergate is excited to embark on a new collaboration with According To McGee, transforming our upstairs seating area into a curator-run space showcasing modern artists.

“We hope to make the Red Dot Night a regular event, celebrating the installation of new art and raising awareness for Fairtrade and ethical trading in and out of store. On the night we’ll be offering ten per cent off all food and drink, plus free coffee tasting in a Fairtrade Aroma Lab and a selection of other free samples.”

Opening artist Andy Fullalove could not be better chosen, reckons Greg. “He’s concerned with the land and how it should be respected – perfect to dovetail with Starbucks’ sterling work on Fairtrade,” he said.

Coming next will be French-born Francine Cross, then York artist Christine Alder. “Already we have all the artists set up for 2012,” said Greg. “We’re very grateful to Starbucks for this opportunity.”