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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250605T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250913T170000
DTSTAMP:20250722T111217Z
CREATED:20250529T102302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T111217Z
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SUMMARY:Ben Youdan 'Mask'
DESCRIPTION:As part of a series of interventions in our Philip Wilson Steer ‘In Conversation’ exhibition\, the Williamson has invited the Liverpool artist\, Ben Youdan\, to feature a work that contrasts and explores the themes found within Steer’s work. \nYoudan’s practice employs a wide variety of techniques and processes including collage\, drawing\, painting\, printmaking and photography\, to create imagery that takes inspiration from the iconography and ephemera of popular culture as well as his lived experience. His pieces explore themes such as identity\, glamour and sexuality in an unapologetically Queer fashion. \n  \nEVENT: On Friday 22nd August at 1pm join Ben Youdan in conversation to find our more about his practice and process. Free\, but booking recommended. \nBook Now \n  \nIn Youdan’s own words: \n“As an artist\, I am interested in exploring the notion that the masks we wear can reveal something intrinsic to our nature. These masks can be physical or psychological. The anonymity of concealing our physical appearance can have a liberating effect\, that emboldens the individual to explore their true nature. This inherent contradiction is particularly prevalent within queer sexual subcultures. \nSteer’s work is often seen as voyeuristic\, whereas mine revels in a more exhibitionist nature\, born out of lived experience. \nWhilst Steer’s work has a muted\, naturalistic colour palette\, my work revels in its own artifice. The colours selected are deliberately synthetic\, clashing\, and even gaudy\, but with a self-awareness and exuberance that reflects the unapologetic nature of the subject. In many ways this work is the polar opposite of the muted tones and perceived repression found within some of Steer’s work in this exhibition. \nIn traditional portraiture\, the eyes are typically what the viewer engages with\, setting the mood for the piece and revealing a vulnerability in the subject. With ‘Mask’\, the eyes are deliberately obscured\, presenting my subject in a way that is vulnerable\, honest and open in a way that protects them\, allowing them to remain indifferent to the judgement they might receive. Where Steer’s subjects are laid bare in a passive\, open manner\, mine retains their agency and power by presenting an authentic version of themselves and their sexuality – on their terms. \nThe image of the gas mask can be interpreted in a variety of ways. In this specific intervention it is a device used in sexual role-play in a variety of fetish subcultures which deviate from the mainstream. It often denotes a submissive person who has elected to give themselves over completely to the gratification of a dominant partner. To a mainstream observer\, this can often have darker connotations. This piece aims to subvert that presumption. Instead of black shiny rubber\, it is presented in pink shiny glitter\, challenging preconceived notions of alternative sexual expression. \nMy complex\, handmade\, mixed media portraits take inspiration from my lived experience of pop culture\, the ephemera of daily life and queer subcultures.” \nPart of Independents Biennial 2025 \n  \nPhilip Wilson Steer: In Conversation \nBen Youdan’s website \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/ben-youdan-mask/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250313T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250402T170000
DTSTAMP:20250328T150827Z
CREATED:20250310T105207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T150827Z
UID:10000254-1741860000-1743613200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Roots of Fashion - the Betty Smithers Design Collection
DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases specially selected garments and accessories from The Betty Smithers Design Collection\, University of Staffordshire\, to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Callister Trust\, which resulted in the creation of the Callister Garden. \nThe Betty Smithers Design Collection (BSDC) is a teaching and research collection of over 7000 objects mainly from the 20th-century housed in the Department of Creative Industries\, University of Staffordshire. \nEach of the items on display around the Williamson Gallery present the ongoing transience and temporal nature of fashion\, reflecting the continual changes within society\, culture and politics. \nThe garments and accessories hold a lived bodily experience\, signifying moments in time\, revealing varying narratives\, telling their own unique story\, and ultimately forming a collective inspirational statement of liberation and freedom of expression. \nThis exhibition is presented in collaboration with Roots of Fashion by The Callister Trust\, taking place at the Williamson on 2oth March. Edward Callister championed women\, establishing a Girls’ Club in Argyle Street\, Birkenhead\, in 1925. The Callister Garden was created as a safe place for women and is situated in an area with strong links to the Suffrage Movement. This exhibition celebrates many of the key moments of women’s fashion from every decade of the Callister Garden’s history\, beginning from its inception in the 1920s to the present day. \nBetty Smithers Exhibition curated by Senior Lecturer Angela Devoti -University of Staffordshire \nExhibition Tour & Talk – Wednesday 2nd April\, 10:30am or 2:30pm – FREE \nFind Out More \nRoots of Fashion
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/roots-of-fashion-the-betty-smithers-design-collection/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/BS-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250305T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250329T170000
DTSTAMP:20250219T141259Z
CREATED:20250218T113723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T141259Z
UID:10000248-1741168800-1743267600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:DDFI40: Painting in Light
DESCRIPTION:Williamson Art Gallery is proud to be a participating venue in DaDaFest 2025. \nZoe Partington has created light sculptures featuring slogans which have relevance to disability activism and issues disabled people experience. The work conveys stories\, messages and insights into disabled people’s struggles in a world in where society still excludes us from the mainstream. Disabled people still exist ‘on the edges’ and have to fight for equity. These neon signs convey a snapshot of disability history in a simple format with a powerful message.   \nHer piece ‘Love Not Pity’ will be exhibited in Gallery 4\, alongside our current exhibition Philip Wilson Steer: In Conversation. Zoe’s work is based upon the slogans of the British disability movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Sitting within an exhibition of nude figures which adhere to conventional beauty standards\, the piece makes us question attitudes towards and depictions of disabled people\, and charges the slogan with contemporary meaning. \nFurther pieces from the Painting In Light series will be based in other venues around the Liverpool City Region including The Bluecoat\, The Palm House in Sefton Park\, Liverpool Lime Street Station\, Shakespeare North\, Citizens Advice Wavertree and more. \nMore information about DaDaFest 2025 and Zoe Partington’s work can be found on DaDaFest’s website. \nAccess: This exhibition can be viewed in person at the venues taking part and will be available to view online (with ALT Text descriptions and supporting audio information).  Further access and venue info will be linked here soon.   \nAbout DDFI40: \nDaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time we are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’. \nDDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage\, to overt injustice and activism\, DDFI40 will explore disability rights\, disability arts\, access\, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity. \ndadafest.co.uk \n  \n \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/ddfi40-painting-in-light/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/DaDaFest40-Masterlogo-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250221T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251018T170000
DTSTAMP:20250918T093003Z
CREATED:20241213T101147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T093003Z
UID:10000240-1740132000-1760806800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Elizabeth Smolen: Trailblazer
DESCRIPTION:NOW CLOSING 18TH OCTOBER 2025 \nDiscover the life of local legend Elizabeth Smolen\, a Polish refugee who settled in Birkenhead and became a champion scooter racer and successful businesswoman. \nA keen motorcyclist and engineer\, Smolen made a name for herself by repairing\, dealing and racing scooters and became part of Wirral’s scooter scene. Elizabeth Smolen: Trailblazer explores Smolen’s early life against the backdrop of Soviet Poland\, and how her daring escape to England allowed her to make a new home in Wirral. \nObjects from Smolen’s life\, including two Vespa scooters\, will be on display\, alongside information about Smolen’s rich life\, and stories from those who remember her. \nThe exhibition also explores the broader Wirral scooter scene\, featuring photos and memorabilia from Birkenhead-based Cloud 9 Scooter Club. \nProduced in collaboration with Big Heritage. \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/elizabeth-smolen-trailblazer/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 4
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/smolen2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250214T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260110T170000
DTSTAMP:20251205T161709Z
CREATED:20241213T155156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T161709Z
UID:10000238-1739527200-1768064400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Subterranean Elevator
DESCRIPTION:Subterranean Elevator has been conceived by artist Di Mainstone\, and developed with a team of inter-disciplinary specialists. The installation invites intrepid visitors to explore the inner worlds of soil and the subconscious mind. On entering a dark\, elevator-shaped environment\, they will feel a soft earth-like substance beneath their feet\, where they can stand\, sit\, or nestle.  As the elevator commences its ‘descent’\, subterranean tourists will experience mesmerising sounds and projected visuals\, creating the sensation of sinking deep into the earth. \nMainstone has coined the term “Subnosis” to describe this hypnotic journey\, in which surreal subterranean creatures flourish amongst fleeting thoughts\, tickled by roots and intersected by neural pathways that lead us into an interior universe. In this place of collective contemplation\, we are invited to remember our connection to all living and nonliving things here on our precious planet. \nThe artwork aims to deepen our understanding of biodiversity loss and engage with the emotional landscape of the climate emergency. \nHow to Experience Subterranean Elevator \nPlease allow for your eye to adjust to a darker space when entering the space\, moving slowly and with caution. \nShoes are to be removed before entering the sand box. \nIf you are entering the sand box\, please use the spaces below the benches to store belongings. \nThere are steps at the side of the sand box to enter and exit. \nChildren must be supervised at all times in the space and sandbox. \nDo not throw sand.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/subterranean-elevator/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 3
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250212T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250628T170000
DTSTAMP:20250522T095558Z
CREATED:20241213T132759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T095558Z
UID:10000241-1739354400-1751130000@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Un/Earthed - A Retrospective by Landlines Studio
DESCRIPTION:Digging into the land and lineage of historical sites for the past five years\, collaborative artist duo\, Angela Stringer and Nicky Perrin present their formative works in an exhibition which reveals the alchemical process of turning raw earth into vibrant expressions of story and place. \nHarnessing natural materials such as sandstone\, soil\, clay and botanical matter from their local Wirral environment and beyond\, they create paint and dyes to make work which transcends its origins\, merging contemporary techniques with ancient traditions. \nA reconstruction of the artists’ apothecary style studio will immerse visitors in their creative practice\, showcasing the tools used to hand-process rock into fine pigment\, before the time-honoured method of mulling it into paint. \nUn/Earthed is the materialisation of journeying between the coasts of Anglesey and woodlands of Wirral. It is an exploration of identity\, heritage and tales told through natural colour\, reflecting on the deep connection between people and place. \nEVENTS: \nFilm Screening: The Nettle Dress \nFriday 23rd May\, 6pm\, £7 \n  \nBook Now
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/un-earthed-a-retrospective-by-landlines-studio/
LOCATION:Merseyside
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250212T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260131T170000
DTSTAMP:20251205T152532Z
CREATED:20241212T144539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T152532Z
UID:10000234-1739354400-1769878800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Albert Richards
DESCRIPTION:March 2025 marked 80 years since the passing of Albert Richards\, the youngest official war artist to be killed in action during WWII. The Williamson holds over two hundred of his works\, spanning from his days at the Wallasey School of Art to the frontlines of France in 1944. These works show the incredible talent that Richards possessed\, and his influences\, from surrealism to Art Deco. \nAs well as displaying works by artists that inspired him and worked alongside him\, such as Stanley Spencer and George Jardine\, this exhibition will commemorate his life as a soldier\, in which he served a key role in the D-Day landings. This incredible personal narrative\, mixed with his unique style of painting\, makes him one of the biggest “what ifs?” in twentieth century British art. \nEVENTS: \nCurator talks on Albert Richards & Philip Wilson Steer – dates throughout 2025 \nInfo & Booking
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/albert-richards/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Albert-Richards-France-Beach-Head.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250212T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260117T170000
DTSTAMP:20251205T152913Z
CREATED:20241212T144534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T152913Z
UID:10000235-1739354400-1768669200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Philip Wilson Steer: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Born in Birkenhead\, Philip Wilson Steer was a pioneer of impressionism in Britain during the late nineteenth century. Studying in Paris in the 1880s\, he was exposed to this radical way of painting after seeing works by the likes of Degas and Manet. With his loose approach to painting and depictions of scenes that were seen as indecent for the time\, Steer was widely ridiculed on his return to London\, but eventually gained acclaim and prestige with the increasing influence of the New English Art Club and his teaching post at the Slade School of Art. Later in his career\, Steer was inspired by masters of English landscape painting\, such as Constable and Turner\, with examples of these works being found in the exhibition. \nAs well as showcasing the Williamson’s collection of Steer\, this exhibition will bring his work into conversation with both his contemporaries and local artists who followed in his footsteps. This will showcase his personal approach to colour and painting\, but will also show the limitations of his radicalism\, largely through his approach to depicting women. \nThe Williamson’s collection of works by Steer has long been considered a highlight of our collections\, which we are delighted to be able to display a significant number of in this exhibition. \n  \nEVENTS: \nCurator talks on Albert Richards & Philip Wilson Steer – dates throughout 2025 \nInfo & Booking
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/philip-wilson-steer-in-conversation/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Steer-Self-Portrait.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241211T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241221T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T135546Z
CREATED:20241119T105513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T135546Z
UID:10000233-1733911200-1734800400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Beauty In The Broken
DESCRIPTION:Kintsugi is the technique of repairing a broken object using ancient Japanese reparation\, known as the art of precious scars. Not simply a form of repair\, Kintsugi is a philosophy; a constant reminder to find the strength and beauty in the broken and painful parts of ourselves. Abuse in any form can shatter our sense of self and can leave victims feeling broken and alone\, but support services are integral to aiding the journey of recovery\, and rebuilding a sense of self-worth and healing. \nTo mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (25th November)\, support services across Wirral have collaborated to produce Beauty in the Broken adopting the Kintsugi reparation technique as a visual representation. The exhibition will be touring venues around Merseyside before arriving at the Williamson. \nWomen within each service were asked to take a broken bowl and glue them back together using the kintsugi technique\, the cracks in the bowls representing painful life experiences of women with lived experience of domestic abuse\, and the artistic expressions through decorations and glue symbolising the resilience\, healing process\, and the crucial services who support women to rebuild their lives. \nBeauty In The Broken is designed to serve as a discussion point centred around gender-based violence\, so please take the opportunity to digest the piece and reflect on the lived experience of victim-survivors who suffer at the hands of abuse and violence. \nSpecial thanks to all the Women who have been involved including all services and support staff. \nInformation on Support Services
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/beauty-in-the-broken/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Kintsuge-Lead-Image.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241023T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241102T170000
DTSTAMP:20241023T083914Z
CREATED:20241023T083648Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241023T083914Z
UID:10000226-1729677600-1730566800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Reclaiming the Narratives
DESCRIPTION:This Black History Month\, Williamson Art Gallery has been working with Afrograph to address its collection’s slavery links. \nAfrican textiles from Afrograph’s collection have been used to reinterpret the Arrowe Hall collection in Gallery 7\, and reclaim the narrative. \nActivities: \nWorkshops:  On Saturday 26th October at 10.30am-12.30pm and then 2-3pm there will be African textile workshops led by Suzie Goligher. Participants will be asked to create pictures of local landmarks using African textiles. FREE\, no booking required \nTalk: “What has Slavery got to do with the Williamson?”  by Alex Robinson Hon. Fellow University of Liverpool. 2nd November 2024\, 1.30pm. FREE\, no need to booki. The Williamson holds furniture and paintings from Arrowe Hall. See how Arrowe Park became caught up in the tentacles of Slavery. \n  \n \n  \nFind out more about Afrograph
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/reclaiming-the-narratives/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Afrograph-intervention-fireplace.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240816T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241221T170000
DTSTAMP:20240829T135514Z
CREATED:20240809T120438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T135514Z
UID:10000207-1723802400-1734800400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Tabitha Jussa: Match Day
DESCRIPTION:To continue the legacy of Going To The Match On Tour\, we are delighted to exhibit a selection of works from the photographic series Match Day\, by Tabitha Jussa. \nMatch Day documents the journeys of fans around the home fixtures of Liverpool FC\, Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers. Jussa’s interest is in capturing the ritualistic behaviour of large crowds\, exploring the habitual and sometimes essential narratives and relationships that exist between people and place. \nAlthough Jussa started out as a documentary photographer\, her interest in fusing together traditional and contemporary approaches to photography has brought about her own distinctive style. An observer’s distance has been adopted\, taking in the scene as a whole\, resulting in all-encompassing large-scale landscapes. \nMatch Day will be exhibited in Gallery 4\, taking the place of works by LS Lowry which had been on loan through Going To The Match On Tour. The works from our own collections will remain in place\, inviting new connections between subjects and themes.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/tabitha-jussa-match-day/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 2
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Prenton-Road-North-2011.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240809T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241221T170000
DTSTAMP:20240926T123224Z
CREATED:20240925T142433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T123224Z
UID:10000222-1723190400-1734800400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Guest Craftsperson: Alison Bailey Smith
DESCRIPTION:Our current Guest Supplier is Alison Bailey Smith. \nBorn in Scotland to thrifty post-war parents\, Alison was taught not to waste anything and to see the potential in everything. Alison was a huge fan of the section on Blue Peter where the presenters showed viewers the astonishing range of things that could be made from toilet rolls and yogurt pots. She was always keen to have a go and was not deterred when she didn’t have the same supplies shown on TV. She discovered a talent for creative thinking to turn materials found around the house into her own version of what she saw on screen. \nAlison initially trained in jewellery at the Edinburgh College of Art\, before diversifying into textiles\, costume and fashion. Much of Alison’s work incorporates wire salvaged from inside old televisions\, leading her to be described as a ‘techno cannibal’ by BBC journalist Clare English. Alison has found over a hundred different colours of copper and aluminium wire inside old TVs\, although unfortunately it is becoming harder to find the vintage sets. Other materials used in Alison’s work include charity shop finds\, scrap paper and sweet wrappers. Alison continues to develop her skills\, most recently learning how to weld so that she can create larger scale pieces that are integrated into the summer displays for children at Eureka! Science & Discovery in Seacombe in Wirral. \nHer recent challenge has been working with ball chains from roman blinds to create the capsule collection currently on display in the gallery foyer\, with theme’s that relate to our current exhibition Into The Wyld. \nAlison has seen recognition for her work\, including winning Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year\, being a finalist in the Environmental Art Awards in Liverpool\, and receiving an award for Nurturing Community Talent from Wirral Met College. She has a dedicated studio in Oxton in Birkenhead and will be returning for Oxton Art Fair at the Williamson at the end of November. \nTo purchase pieces from Alison’s collection please speak to staff at the gallery. Purchases may qualify for the Own Art scheme\, where you can spread the payment interest-free over 12 months. Speak to gallery staff to find out more.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/guest-supplier-alison-bailey-smith/
LOCATION:Merseyside
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/PXL_20240925_113709806-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240802T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241221T170000
DTSTAMP:20241101T112655Z
CREATED:20240530T091713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241101T112655Z
UID:10000197-1722592800-1734800400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Into The Wyld
DESCRIPTION:Material Matters presents Into the Wyld: a festival of contemporary art exploring the continuing legacy of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and its unique connection to the Wirral. \nInto The Wyld will feature a residency by the Material Matters Collective\, and work from over 20 invited artists across the region. There is also an associated programme of performance art\, poetry readings\, children’s workshops\, film screenings and a symposium. \nMaterial Matters’ artists will respond to key themes in the Gawain poem across three exhibitions: \n\nNature curated by Patric Rogers from 2nd August – 13th September\nChivalry curated by John Elcock from 19th September – 25th October\nSpirituality curated by Angelo Madonna from 7th November – 21st December\nWeavers a parallel programme of performance\, talks\, workshops and readings will be curated by Silvia Battista.\n\nGawain is a masterpiece text of the Middle Ages. The poem tells the story of King Arthur’s headstrong young nephew who after a dramatic bargain with a mysterious figure faces a long journey in which he must\, quite literally\, keep his head. Sir Gawain’s quest ‘into the wilderness of the Wirral’ is a fourteenth century narrative that will be given a radical 21st century interpretation by the artists. \nFeatured artists for Into the Wyld include: Angelo Madonna – Silvia Battista – John Elcock and Patric Rogers in collaboration with Amodali – Abbie Bradshaw – Nick Ball – Alice Colquhoun – Kris Darby – Will Dickie –  Ryan Gauge – Anna Jane Houghton – Adrian Jeans – Oak Luca – Brendan Lyons – Izzie Major – Piotr Marchewka – Paul Mellor – Margaret O’Brien – Attila Olah – Nicky Perrin – Eleanor Rees – Sarah Jane Richards – Andrew Shaw – Craig Sinclair – Camille Smithwick – Pierce Starre – Angela Stringer – Serah Stringer – Catherine Swire and Niamh Tam. \nProfessor Sarah Peverley (Liverpool University) will open the programme on the 3rd August with a talk on the poem’s history and textual brilliance and the real and imaginary landscapes that Sir Gawain passes through. Each exhibition will offer a family workshop led respectively by artists Madeleine Smart and Alexandra Hales. Associate Professor Catherine Morris (Liverpool Hope University) will moderate artists’ conversations with the public at the end of each exhibition. \nThe symposium Spirits of Place will take place as part of the programme on 12th October – find out more and book via the link below. \nMaterial Matters is an artists’ collective and co-operative engaged in artistic and curatorial practices that explore the inter-relationship between materiality\, aesthetics and performativity under a collaborative praxis the artists call ’emotional minimalism’. \nInto the Wyld is supported by Wirral Borough of Culture 2024 and Liverpool Hope University. \nWeavers Events: Spirituality \nMore about Material Matters \nMore about Wirral Borough of Culture 2024
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/into-the-wyld/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Copy-of-Exhibtion-1-3-Square-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240802T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240914T170000
DTSTAMP:20240912T105444Z
CREATED:20240725T093653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T105444Z
UID:10000213-1722592800-1726333200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The KD Club Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:An exhibition and participation space to inspire design enthusiasts this summer. \nThe KD Club\, established by Liverpool-based designer Kirsty Doyle\, has recently been working with hundreds of school pupils from across Merseyside. Children and young people have been applying their creativity to the world of design\, and creating their very own outfits for mini mannequins. \nOver 350 of these creations will be on display at the Williamson this summer. Visit to find a particular piece\, or to admire and celebrate the talented and original visions of local young people. \nIf you feel inspired to flex your own creative muscles\, there are dedicated spaces for activity in the exhibition. The gallery will be transformed into an atelier of artistry\, as visitors contribute their own works to the walls. \nSuitable for ages\, this celebration of design and young people’s ingenuity is not to be missed. \n  \nAbout The KD Club \nKirsty Doyle has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry\, from winning Project Catwalk UK in the 2nd year of university to owning a store in Liverpool One aged 22. She has created ranges for children\, women and now luxury bridal pieces. \nShe believes that fostering a creative mindset can profoundly impact the confidence and self-belief of young individuals\, The KD Club is designed as a place where children and thrive and grow securely.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-kd-club-exhibition/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 3
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/3.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240628T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240705T170000
DTSTAMP:20240725T094745Z
CREATED:20240624T133231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240725T094745Z
UID:10000205-1719565200-1720198800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The KD Club
DESCRIPTION:Introducing an exciting opportunity for children and young people this summer! \nThe Kirsty Doyle Club are giving budding fashion designers the chance to showcase their creations in a prestigious gallery setting. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a class with Kirsty\, where they created a 3D fashion look on a mini mannequin. \nThe completed pieces will then be displayed at the Williamson over the summer. \nThe aim of this project is to boost self-confidence and nurture creativity\, offering a truly unforgettable experience. \nIf you’re inspired to become a young fashion designer\, get involved by contacting us. Entries close 5th July. \nGet in touch \nFind Out More About The KD Club
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-kd-club/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-10-144423-1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240626T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240720T170000
DTSTAMP:20240620T125737Z
CREATED:20240528T090035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240620T125737Z
UID:10000194-1719396000-1721494800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:North Wales Society of Fine Art
DESCRIPTION:The North Wales Society of Fine Art was established in 1990 by founder president Margaret Stevens. Its purpose was to encourage the promotion of botanical artwork across North Wales and into the North West of England. The Society has since thrived and evolved into a more eclectic mix of artists\, who display a wide range of inspiration and ideas through diverse styles and media. \nArtists invited to join the Society demonstrate both technical excellence and individual creativity in fine art. The subject matter varies from botanical\, landscape\, portraiture\, still-life and wildlife. Media used include oil\, acrylic\, and watercolour paints\, ink\, pencil and pastels\, textile artwork and sculpture. \nThis exhibition will showcase recent work by members of the society. \nMeet The Artists: On Saturday 29th June the Society will be holding a Meet & Greet in the gallery. Drop in 1-3pm to meet the artists and learn more about their work. \n \nTake the work home! Many of the works included in the Williamson Open 2024 – including those by the guest judges – are for sale. Williamson Art Gallery is a participating gallery in Arts Council England’s Own Art scheme. Own Art makes purchasing original artworks more affordable by making it possible to pay in 10 equal\, interest-free monthly payments. Amounts between £100 and £2500 can be applied for. \nTo find out more and to apply for the Own Art scheme\, please make an appointment at the front desk.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/north-wales-society-of-fine-art/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 2
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/glencoe-phil-stanton.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240419T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240727T170000
DTSTAMP:20240619T151506Z
CREATED:20240125T132040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240619T151506Z
UID:10000162-1713520800-1722099600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Going To The Match On Tour
DESCRIPTION:Going to the Match\, painted in 1953\, is LS Lowry’s best-known and most popular picture. Although he painted football-themed scenes before and after this date it is Going to the Match which has become iconic – an enduring representation of what match day means to fans. \nThe 1953 work shows fans arriving for a Bolton Wanderers game at their former home\, Burnden Park. The painting’s iconic status has been recognised and loved by visitors of all ages: especially those who love football and those who celebrate this quintessentially Northern experience. \nThis hugely important and much-loved work of art had been on public display at The Lowry\, Salford since it opened in 2000\, courtesy of a loan by the then owners the Professional Footballers Association (PFA). Following a high-profile campaign\, Going to the Match was purchased by The Lowry in Salford for The Lowry Collection at the Modern British & Irish Art Sale at Christie’s in London in October 2022\, thanks to the generous support of The Law Family Charitable Foundation. The painting returned to public display at The Lowry in November 2022 as part of Salford’s Lowry Collection and The Lowry is now working with galleries and venues across the North West to ensure that the piece can be enjoyed by the widest possible audience across the region. Supported by a £95\,000 grant from Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme and additional support from the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation\, the tour will mean this iconic painting can be enjoyed by the widest possible audience across the region. \nThe painting is being displayed at the Williamson alongside other works by Lowry and a selection of pictures from the Williamson’s collection which place Lowry in the wider context of painting in Northern England in the mid 20th Century. \n#LowryGTTM \nImage Credit: LS Lowry\, Going to the Match\, 1953\n© The Estate of L.S. Lowry. All Rights Reserved\, DACS 2024
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/going-to-the-match/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/52521545643_0b5fcd0def_o.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240406T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240615T170000
DTSTAMP:20240619T151514Z
CREATED:20240103T164612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240619T151514Z
UID:10000092-1712397600-1718470800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:David Clapham: The River Runs Through
DESCRIPTION:Clapham’s recent work has been inspired by views of places he has lived in London and Portugal. These paintings explore the sense of how the landscape dominates the everyday experiences of life in these places\, united by the common theme of the river. \nTwo views in particular dominate these current works. Clapham’s studio in central Portugal\, where all of these works have been made over the past three years\, overlooks the Ceira valley. The density of the mountainous forests contrasts with the views from Clapham’s recent London residence in Canary Wharf\, a severe built environment of its high quality of marble\, granite\, and glass. These two contrasting views have\, in their separate ways\, both dominated Clapham’s recent lived experience. With canvases divided into full-scale windows the views they represent are divided\, sliced into contrasting images\, yet eventually reconciled. In this way Clapham explores how combinations of colours and textures may trigger unlooked-for emotional responses. \nThe most recent work combines these images with the black-and-white news coverage of the Ukrainian conflict that has dominated the news cycle in recent years. \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/david-clapham/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Advert-image-Lawrence-Wharf-Full-Scale-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240216T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241221T170000
DTSTAMP:20240829T135445Z
CREATED:20240411T152152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T135445Z
UID:10000183-1708070400-1734800400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Pete Hoida
DESCRIPTION:Gallery 11 is currently home to an exhibition of work by Birkenhead-born artist Pete Hoida (1944-2023). \nThe paintings of Birkenhead-born Hoida are known for strong colour relationships alongside tonal subtlety and a unique approach to textures. Hoida studied Landscape Architecture followed by Art School at Hammersmith\, priory to graduating from the extended diploma course at Goldsmiths. His work has been authoritatively endorsed in essays by Mel Gooding and Chris Stephens\, and is well regarded by his peers. Hoida lived and worked in Stroud\, for over 40 years in the same hillside studio. \nThe Williamson has acquired his painting ‘Uisghe’ for our collections\, but all other paintings currently on display are for sale (however\, please note that the are not eligible for the Own Art Scheme). \nPlease note this exhibition may not be accessible when meetings are in progress. \nOwn Art
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/pete-hoida/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 4
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Hoida-Uisghe-acquisition.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240126T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240406T170000
DTSTAMP:20240322T151618Z
CREATED:20240103T160658Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240322T151618Z
UID:10000091-1706263200-1712422800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Craig Easton: Is Anybody Listening?
DESCRIPTION:Williamson Art Gallery & Museum presents Craig Easton: Is Anybody Listening?\, a touring exhibition from the University of Salford Art Collection which showcases two award-winning series of photographs; Bank Top and Thatcher’s Children. \nCraig Easton: Is Anybody Listening? seeks to challenge typical stereotypes of northern communities through authentic representation and raise aspirations of young people within the region through an accompanying engagement programme called Our Time\, Our Place. \nThe engagement programme\, Our Time\, Our Place being exhibited alongside Easton’s work\, has empowered young people to explore their own history and share it through pathways in photography and associated practices. \nIs Anybody Listening? Our Time\, Our Place is presented by the University of Salford and generously supported by The National Heritage Lottery Fund. \n\nAbout Craig Easton\n\nEaston won Photographer of the Year (2021) at the Sony World Photography Awards with his series Bank Top\, a collaboration with writer\, poet and social researcher Abdul Aziz Hafiz\, examining the representation and misrepresentation of northern communities. Commissioned by Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery\, the work focused on a small\, tight-knit community in Blackburn. \nHe also took second place in the documentary category for Thatcher’s Children\, which explores the inter-generational nature of poverty and economic hardship as experienced by three generations of one family across the Northwest. \nA passionate believer in working collaboratively with others\, Easton also conceived and led the critically acclaimed SIXTEEN project with sixteen leading photographers exploring the hopes\, ambitions and fears of sixteen-year-olds all around the UK\, in which Williamson Art Gallery also participated as an exhibiting gallery. \nHe often tackles stereotypes and responds to the negative way in which the mainstream media can portray Northern communities. The relevance of Easton’s work has resurfaced in a new light as communities endure the cost-of-living crisis and face new challenges and segregation. \nThe exhibition comes at the same time as the launch of Easton’s new book centred on his award-winning Thatcher’s Children series. Quotes from successive prime ministers demonstrate how deprivation is connected to the social policy failures of successive governments. \nThe exhibition marks the start of Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture for the Liverpool City Region. Wirral Borough of Culture 2024 is a year of incredible experiences in incredible places\, reflecting Wirral’s story and celebrating its people. The programme features a diverse line-up of culture\, arts and heritage across the whole borough and shines a spotlight on Wirral’s creative community and the regeneration of the Left Bank of the River Mersey.  Wirral Borough of Culture 2024 is led by Wirral Council and local cultural partners\, with support from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/is-anybody-listening/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Insta-Posts-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231014T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231014T150000
DTSTAMP:20240124T175330Z
CREATED:20231012T094627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240124T175330Z
UID:10000074-1697292000-1697295600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The New Light Prize
DESCRIPTION:Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet\, consectetur adipiscing elit\, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam\, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident\, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-new-light-prize/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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