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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250313T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250402T170000
DTSTAMP:20250328T150827Z
CREATED:20250310T105207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T150827Z
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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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250605T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250913T170000
DTSTAMP:20250722T111217Z
CREATED:20250529T102302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T111217Z
UID:10000310-1749117600-1757782800@williamsonartgallery.org
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:20250709T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250913T170000
DTSTAMP:20250730T153415Z
CREATED:20250602T094033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250730T153415Z
UID:10000311-1752055200-1757782800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Artist A & Artist B: The Long Haul
DESCRIPTION:‘The Long Haul’ is an installation by Jackie Haynes and Heather Mullender-Ross\, collectively named Artist A & Artist B. The installation has been commissioned by Wirral Council as part of Liverpool Independent’s Biennial 2025. \nThe net which hangs in the central space is constructed from a decommissioned cargo parachute and is one of a number of evolving artworks and performances created using this fabric. The audio is a recording of two songs based on traditional sea shanties\, arranged and performed by Liverpool Shanty Choir with lyrics by Artist A & Artist B\, which will be released as a limited edition 7” single. \n‘What Were They Thinking’ is a shanty telling the story of Artist A & Artist B’s artwork. From their purchase of a cargo parachute on Ebay\, the song narrates how the parachute became a site responsive artwork; it was cut down and made into blankets to host a public picnic\, constructed as table cloths\, tent dresses and a tennis court for a Dada-esque performance. In the second shanty\, ‘Haul The Old Parachute Along’\, Artist A & Artist B use collective protesting through the shanty verse to highlight the often precarious pay and conditions endured by many contemporary artists. \nEvent: On 13th September there will be a closing event featuring a live performance at the Williamson with Liverpool Shanty Choir\, a screening of their film ‘The Surplus Badge’ (2023)\, and the opportunity to purchase the limited edition single. \nFree Tickets to Liverpool Shanty Choir performance \nIndependents Biennial 2025 \nPhoto credit: Ash Hardman.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/artist-a-artist-b-the-long-haul/
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/cropped-net-with-shanty-text-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250716T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251101T170000
DTSTAMP:20250918T100406Z
CREATED:20250619T083908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T100406Z
UID:10000316-1752660000-1762016400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:I'll Tell You Later: BSL Happy Snappers and Emma Case
DESCRIPTION:NOW EXTENDED TO 1ST NOVEMBER \nAn inspiring exhibition showcasing the work of the Happy Snappers\, a Wirral-based photography group made up of both Deaf and BSL users.  \nI’ll Tell You Later explores the relationship between the Deaf experience and the hearing world. It sheds light on the barriers D/deaf individuals face\, while showing the Happy Snappers as a powerful example of how inclusive\, supportive communities can break down these obstacles. Through their work\, the group highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive society that benefits everyone. \nThis exhibition is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation through the lens of photography. \nHappy Snappers are a group of friends who are both Deaf and BSL users. They get together and enjoy life outside and explore some of the Wirral’s hidden locations and beautiful scenery\, and capture these locations on camera. They are not a professional photography group but share the same love of meeting people\, socialising and having fun.  \nEmma Case is a socially engaged photographer working with local communities focusing on projects that often explore home\, identity\, memory and place. Emma is interested in building real relationships over time and working collectively\, often looking at social issues and their impact but through the lens of changing the narrative through storytelling. Emma is fluent in British Sign Language and has worked with the Deaf community for over 20 years; from support worker with SignHealth to Actress with Deafinitely Theatre. Emma is extremely passionate about accessibility for Deaf audiences and artists within cultural spaces. \nI’ll Tell You Later is part of Photo Here\, a programme of socially engaged photographic residencies and exhibitions commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as part of this year’s Cultural Events Programme. Developed by Open Eye Gallery in collaboration with each of six local authorities: Halton\, Knowsley\, Liverpool\, Sefton\, St Helens and Wirral.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/ill-tell-you-later/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 2
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250725T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250913T170000
DTSTAMP:20250818T102119Z
CREATED:20250602T094750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T102119Z
UID:10000313-1753437600-1757782800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Broken Grey Wires: Who Wants Flowers When They Are Dead?
DESCRIPTION:WHO WANTS FLOWERS WHEN THEY ARE DEAD? is a new exhibition by Broken Grey Wires\, exploring grief\, loss\, identity and community. \n‘My dad died five years ago\, which was a huge shock that I am still suffering with now. Grief is something that I am confused and frustrated by\, it is a soul destroying emotion. The drawing on the poster is of my dad\, I drew this when I was about 7 years old.’ (Lizz Brady) \nThe exhibition will offer a space to reflect\, connect\, and begin processing experiences of loss. It invites audiences to think openly\, share their stories\, and engage in honest conversations about grief and healing. \nAs part of the exhibition\, a newly designed Comfort Zone space will be introduced in the gallery\, along with fresh toolkits to support exploration and dialogue. \nConfirmed artists:\nMarcelina Amelia\nJacqui Barrowcliffe\nLizz Brady\nCandy Chang\nAntony Connelly\nHarri Harrison\nChris Jones\nJasleen Kaur\nGurinder Kumar\nJess Loveday\nMercedes Lucy\nAna Mendieta\nZayd Menk\nAmy Mizrahi\nSophie New\nDolly Sen\nEmily Simpson \nEVENT Preserving Ghosts: A Workshop About Picking & Grief. Saturday 06 September\, 1pm \nBook Now \n  \nAbout Broken Grey Wires: \nAt Broken Grey Wires (BGW) their mission is to create ambitious and inclusive projects where artists with mental health challenges and/or neurodivergent individuals are empowered through creative opportunities. \nTheir unique approach stems from their leadership\, which includes individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges\, disability and neurodivergence—ensuring that radical empathy and authenticity drive their work. Over the years\, they have curated ground-breaking visual art exhibitions that push the boundaries of communication\, depicting the nuanced experiences of mental health in ways that resonate deeply with audiences and participants alike. \nBy continuously engaging with their audiences\, they encourage people to dismantle the stigma around mental illness\, allowing individuals to embrace their identities and manage their mental health with confidence\, autonomy and encouragement \nPart of Independents Biennial 2025 \nIndependents Biennial 2025 \n  \nImage © Candy Chang\, photo by Ahmed Alameri
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/broken-grey-wires/
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:20250917T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260131T170000
DTSTAMP:20251205T152722Z
CREATED:20250829T121820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T152722Z
UID:10000325-1758103200-1769878800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Sunflower Dreams Project
DESCRIPTION:The Sunflower Dreams Project is a series of exhibitions held across the EU\, UK\, and North America\, organised by a team of international volunteers\, all of whom have served in Ukraine since the full-scale war started in 2022. \nThe project partners with artists Nataliia and Yustyna Pavliuk\, who run art healing masterclasses in Lviv\, to present a sample of the paintings created by the Ukrainian children they work with. The paintings they create are filled with dreams\, joy\, and love for family and home. \nThese paintings are displayed alongside works from the Williamson’s collection by Albert Richards\, the youngest official war artist to be killed in action during WWII. \nSeeing them side by side offers different perspectives on the impact of war\, with The Sunflower Dreams project presenting an important contemporary perspective on how war effects young lives. \n  \nMore On The Sunflower Dreams Project \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/sunflower-dreams-project/
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/Darynas-door.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251010T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251213T170000
DTSTAMP:20251010T092124Z
CREATED:20250530T150706Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251010T092124Z
UID:10000312-1760083200-1765645200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The Williamson Open 2025
DESCRIPTION:The Williamson Open is BACK for 2025! Our much-loved annual exhibition showcases the best in art and photography made by artists across the Liverpool City Region. \nThe exhibition is now open! \nTake It Home: Many of the artworks in the Open are available to buy. You can view and purchase artworks online as well as in-person this year \nView the Online Catalogue \nOn purchases made in the gallery\, we offer the Own Art scheme. \nOwn Art is a national initiative\, supported by Arts Council England\, to make it easy and affordable for anyone and everyone to buy contemporary art and craft by providing interest-free loans. \nChoose the artwork you love\, apply for a loan from as little as £100 up to £2\,500 and pay it back over 10 months\, completely interest-free. \n \nFind out more about the scheme and eligibility criteria: www.ownart.org.uk \nPlease note that Own Art cannot be applied to online artwork purchases. \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-williamson-open-2025/
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/WilliamsonOpen-1x1-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251114T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260221T170000
DTSTAMP:20260126T154519Z
CREATED:20251021T082959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T154519Z
UID:10000330-1763114400-1771693200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
DESCRIPTION:The Williamson is delighted to be hosting the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2025 for its only exhibition outside of London. \nThe Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize has an established reputation as the UK’s most important annual open exhibition for drawing. Established in 1994 by artist and Professor Anita Taylor\, currently Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee\, and Director of Drawing Projects UK\, the annual Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize celebrates talent and excellence in current drawing practice. \nThe exhibition provides an important platform for artists\, designers\, makers\, architects and other drawing practitioners as a catalyst within their careers\, and champions the role\, breadth\, and value of drawing in creative practices today. \nThe 2025 awards were announced on 8th October 2025\, totalling £27\,000 awarded to artists working in contemporary drawing. \nThe Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is supported by the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust – and 2025 marks the 8th year of their generous support for the annual open drawing exhibition. \n  \nAbout the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/trinity-buoy-wharf-drawing-prize/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 2
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/TBW_LOGO-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251217T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260102T170000
DTSTAMP:20251218T143722Z
CREATED:20251218T143722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T143722Z
UID:10000333-1765958400-1767373200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Wirral Libraries Story Patchwork Project
DESCRIPTION:Introducing Wirral Libraries Story Patchwork Project celebrating Wirral Borough of Culture! \nIn January 2024\, to celebrate library communities\, Wirral Libraries hatched an adventure with a message to borrowers and social media followers to create a patch depicting what they \nloved about Wirral- YOUR STORY/YOUR WIRRAL \n  \nEvery single patch handed in was incorporated into the final Story Patchwork which has been touring Wirral since October 2024\, promoting the libraries and celebrating the people\, places and communities. \nWhen we think of libraries we think of words but there are more ways to tell a story. Residents aged 4-94 drew\, painted\, stitched\, stuck and wrote to tell their stories in the ways they could. \nThese patchwork stories are now on display at the Williamson Art Gallery until the New Year. After seeing the patches\, people have been encouraged to visit places on The Wirral they had not been before or to revisit places they remember from their past. \nFind out more about Wirral Libraries \n  \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/wirral-libraries-story-patchwork-project/
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/Library-patchwork.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260115T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260523T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T151412Z
CREATED:20260107T133508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T151412Z
UID:10000334-1768471200-1779555600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Loyalty
DESCRIPTION:Loyalty: An Exhibition of Paintings by Steve des Landes \n  \nSteve des Landes has been Artist in Residence at the Williamson since early 2025. \nThis major solo exhibition will include new artwork created in the gallery\, alongside more than forty paintings from his recent practice. Together they will present an insight into his bold and singular representations of the human condition. \nThe exhibition will focus on des Landes representations of figures in the landscape. The people in his paintings are unsentimental; and the artist’s narratives evolve to give an insight into the complex emotional lives of his characters. His paintings are energetic and restless\, inviting a constantly evolving dialogue between the painting\, artist and viewer. \nDes Landes’ personal artistic vision holds a deep connection with the landscape of the Liverpool City Region. His recent move to a studio at the Williamson is part of a continuing journey of engaging with the artistic landscape of the area\, which began when he joined the Liverpool Artist’s Workshops in the late 1980s. \nThe latter cemented his position as an artist with a deep personal psychology and social angle to his work\, which continues to be present in his paintings. \nView the Exhibition Catalogue online \nView Steve des Landes’ Instagram \nTAKE THE ART HOME: \nMany of Steve’s paintings included in this exhibition are for sale. You can view and purchase online\, or speak to a member of staff in the gallery. \nShop Now \n  \nSteve des Landes is represented by David Messum Fine Art. \nVisit their website. \n  \nEVENTS: \nIn Conversation with Steve des Landes and Angela Samata. Friday 13th March\, 6pm\, free but booking essential. Book Now \nThe exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of events including open studios. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/loyalty/
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/steve-exhibition-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260123T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T151849Z
CREATED:20260115T144404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T151849Z
UID:10000336-1769162400-1794070800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Beyond the Brotherhood: The Legacies of the Pre-Raphaelites
DESCRIPTION:Formed in 1848\, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood\, shook the foundations of the British art world with their bold colour palettes\, truth to nature\, and symbolism. \nThe Williamson collection holds some of the finest examples of works showing this artistic legacy. \nThe exhibition will also showcase the various ways in which Merseyside has been influenced by\, and instrumental in forging new directions for these legacies. \nThis will include Birkenhead’s Della Robbia Pottery Company\, and the ‘Liverpool School’ of landscape painters.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/beyond-the-brotherhood-the-legacies-of-the-pre-raphaelites/
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/medea-square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260204T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20270206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260722T105311Z
CREATED:20260115T161303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T105311Z
UID:10000338-1770199200-1801933200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Echoes of the Floating World
DESCRIPTION:The Williamson possesses a small but notable collection of woodblock prints in the Japanese Ukiyo-e style. \nThese were made by some of the most important names in the period\, from Hiroshige to Hokusai. \nTheir motifs of flat perspectives\, high vantage points\, and bold colour distinctions\, were a radical influence across European art\, including by artists from Wirral. \nAs such\, this exhibition will show local artworks alongside Ukiyo-e prints\, communicating how Wirral artists have been influenced by\, and in dialogue with\, artists from across the world. \n  \nEnds 6th February 2027
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/echoes-of-the-floating-world-japanese-prints/
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/View-of-Nihonbashi-Tori-itchome.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260214T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260509T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T151226Z
CREATED:20260115T155132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T151226Z
UID:10000337-1771063200-1778346000@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The Portrait Paradox
DESCRIPTION:The Portrait Paradox brings together portraits from the Williamson’s collection and Liverpool-based artist Adrian Jeans’ portrait-based sculpture\, drawing\, photography and video. \nJeans says: “Influenced by the Williamson’s fascinating art collection\, I have been inspired by an under-acknowledged progressiveness in portraiture.  \nAt its best it challenges the norms of the time and The Portrait Paradox will show how I and others have taken portraiture beyond a simplistic paradigm and used it to explore our wider humanity” \n  \nEVENTS: Click here to BOOK \n  \nFollow Adrian \n  \nMore
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-portrait-paradox/
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:20260309T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T151102Z
CREATED:20260223T112124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T151102Z
UID:10000347-1773050400-1783184400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Frances Carlile: Passage
DESCRIPTION:Passage is an installation of beautiful and delicate vessel and house structures by environmental artist Frances Carlile. Together they evoke the many types of journeys taken by individuals during their lifetime\, and symbolise the transient passage between life and death. \nEach one has been handcrafted using organic material collected during the artist’s own journeys through the landscape\, including along the coastline of North Wales and Wirral. \n  \nEvents: \nSaturday 11th April\, 12-3pm – Drop-in ‘paper bag boat’ workshop. Free\, no booking required \nInformation
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/frances-carlile-passage/
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/Sea-House-square-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260808T170000
DTSTAMP:20260611T105615Z
CREATED:20260210T141342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T105615Z
UID:10000343-1778320800-1786208400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Guest Artist: Jo Williams
DESCRIPTION:Our new Guest Artist is Jo Williams creator of  Heavenly Vessels. \n“I have been making ceramics for 35 years and it feels as integral to me as breathing or walking; I make pots every single day. \nI throw all my pots on the potters wheel and I spend a lot of time getting the surface right before decorating with oxides. I use repetitive marks which is reminiscent of deep\, inky marks on damp paper but also sometimes reminds me of Indian woodblock printing. I apply all of the marks individually\, one at a time. All my pots are glazed eternally with a soft satin white glaze\, contrasting with the outer\, unglazed surface.” \nYou can find a selection Jo’s handmade ceramics on display and to purchase at the Williamson. \nMay – 8th August \n  \nMore about  HEAVENLY  VESSELS \n  \nFollow Jo on Instagram \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/guest-artist-kate-stewart/
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260530T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260725T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T145437Z
CREATED:20260402T110834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T145437Z
UID:10000352-1780135200-1784998800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:The Garden As Muse
DESCRIPTION:For centuries\, gardens in their myriad forms\, from the surreal\, to the mystical\, contemplative or mythical\, have had profound impacts upon artists of all kinds. They act as sources of inspiration and as mirrors reflecting the cultural\, social and emotional landscapes in which they were created. \n  \nThis exhibition traces how artists across time have interpreted gardens not merely as physical spaces\, but as symbols of creativity and solace. From delicate\, nostalgic studies to immersive and grand paintings\, these pieces reveal how gardens can function both as sanctuaries and laboratories of artistic experimentation. \n  \nDrawing exclusively from the Williamson’s rich and varied collection\, The Garden as Muse invites visitors to wander through these imagined and observed worlds\, celebrating the enduring allure of the garden as a site where art and nature meet\, influence one another\, and continue to grow in unexpected ways.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/the-garden-as-muse/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260605T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260725T170000
DTSTAMP:20260714T081415Z
CREATED:20260521T110237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T081415Z
UID:10000362-1780653600-1784998800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Small Wonders: Reimagining British Art
DESCRIPTION:In 1951\, the Festival of Britain acted as a beacon of post-war hope\, launching a landmark touring exhibition that brought world-class art to local museums and art centres across the UK. Seventy-five years later\, Hayward Gallery Touring honours this legacy with Small Wonders: Reimagining British Art\, a contemporary reimagining of that original vision. \nThe exhibition brings together 50 acclaimed artists who have participated in the British Art Show – the UK’s definitive five-year curated survey of contemporary art – since its inception in 1979. Taking inspiration from Marcel Duchamp’s Boîte-en-valise – a “portable museum” contained within a suitcase – each artist has created a new\, small-scale work that responds to their original British Art Show presentation. The result is a condensed yet expansive overview of a half-century of British art history. \n  \n \nAlongside Small Wonders\, there will also be an exhibition of 21 exquisite photogravure prints of major drawings by Georgia O’Keeffe. One of the most important artists in 20th-century American art\, O’Keeffe balanced abstraction with figuration and tenaciously pursued her innovative style. \nThe 21 drawings featured in this exhibition were made between 1915 and 1963\, spanning the period when O’Keeffe established herself as a major figure in American Modernism. O’Keeffe worked with her agent and long-term friend Doris Bry (1920 – 2014) to produce this sublime collection of photogravures of the drawings\, which charts key trajectories and motifs in her practice.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/small-wonders-reimagining-british-art/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 2
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260724T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261010T170000
DTSTAMP:20260724T134120Z
CREATED:20260721T110106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T134120Z
UID:10000374-1784887200-1791651600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Williamson Open 2026
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \n \n  \nThe exhibition is now open!!! \n  \nThe Williamson Open returns for 2026! Our much-loved annual exhibition showcases the best in art and photography made by artists across the Liverpool City Region. \n  \nTake It Home: Many of the artworks in the Open are available to buy. You can view and purchase artworks online as well as in-person this year. \n  \nView the Online Catalogue  \n  \nOn purchases made in the gallery\, we offer the Own Art scheme. \n \nOwn Art is a national initiative\, supported by Arts Council England\, to make it easy and affordable for anyone and everyone to buy contemporary art and craft by providing interest-free loans. \nChoose the artwork you love\, apply for a loan from as little as £250 and pay it back over    10 months\, completely interest-free. \n  \nFind out more about the scheme and eligibility criteria: www.ownart.org.uk \n  \nPlease note that Own Art cannot be applied to online artwork purchases. \n\n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/williamson-open-2026/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,slide 1
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260814T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261031T170000
DTSTAMP:20260420T094125Z
CREATED:20260409T100911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T094125Z
UID:10000353-1786701600-1793466000@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Coming soon- Leonard McComb: Nature & Humanity
DESCRIPTION:The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum will present the largest ever exhibition of work by one of the most important British artists of the 20th century\, Leonard McComb. \nLeonard McComb: Nature and Humanity will include the best works from the artist’s estate\, as well as choice loans from major public and private collections\, over 60 of the artist’s best pieces\, including painting\, watercolour\, drawings\, and sculpture\, will be brought together. These will include ‘Rock and Sea Anglesey’\, from Oriel Môn\, which\, measuring over 10 metres long\, is the largest drawing on paper held by any UK public collection. There will also be a selection of choice loans from Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Academy. \nThe loans are supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund. Created by the Garfield Weston Foundation and Art Fund\, the Weston Loan Programme is the first ever UK-wide funding scheme to enable smaller and local authority museums to borrow works of art and artefacts from national collections. The exhibition is a collaboration with Art Space Gallery| Michael Richardson Contemporary Art and the Estate of Leonard McComb RA. \nLeonard McComb RA (1930-2018) received acclaim and accolades throughout his career for his work in different mediums including painting\, drawing and sculpture. This exhibition at the Williamson will have a particular focus on McComb’s ecological outlook\, which can be found throughout his work. Whether portrait\, still life\, landscape\, or sculpture\, McComb’s work demonstrates his beliefs on the beauty\, energy\, and interconnectedness of all life. \nCurator Josh Mackarell says that “we are delighted to be able to bring this major exhibition of an important and celebrated artist to Merseyside. McComb’s work is not just relevant to our modern times for its beauty and technical brilliance\, but also because its environmental outlook speaks to the fundamental debates of our time.” \nThe exhibition will open on Friday 14th August 2026 and run until Saturday 31st October.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/coming-soon-leonard-mccomb-nature-humanity/
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261204T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260727T154607Z
CREATED:20260326T110011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T154607Z
UID:10000351-1796378400-1796403600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Opening December 2026: You Gotta Get a Gimmick: The Paul O’Grady Story
DESCRIPTION:“This free exhibition will be Paul’s gift to his hometown” \nA major exhibition delving into the private archive of Paul O’Grady\, revealing his life in front of and behind the cameras will open in his hometown of Birkenhead at the end of this year. You Gotta Get A Gimmick – The Paul O’Grady Story will be a free exhibition at Williamson Art Gallery and will open on 4 December 2026.  \n  \nThe exhibition\, featuring a wider community and participation programme\, will give a first glimpse into the extensive archive of Paul\, contextualising him as an LGBTQIA+ icon\, an award-winning broadcaster\, passionate activist and someone who gave a voice to the voiceless\, particularly those with four paws. From Tranmere to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern\, the “blonde bombsite of Birkenhead” to Battersea Dog’s Home\, the exhibition will present Paul O’Grady is one of Britain’s most cherished\, and significant cultural figures.  \nBirkenhead is at the heart of Paul O’Grady’s story\, whether it is the acid tongue of Lily Savage\, the humour and activism of Paul as a presenter and entertainer\, the determination to stand up for a cause and the working-class identity at his core. Premiering the exhibition in the town has been the central ambition of the curatorial team\, and The Paul O’Grady Estate with a commitment to keeping access free. \n  \nEarly Years \nPaul James O’Grady was born to Molly and Paddy on 14 June 1955 in Birkenhead and was brought up in a close-knit Irish Catholic household in Tranmere. The youngest of three children\, he first attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Prenton and then St. Anselm’s College in Birkenhead\, which was founded by the Christian Brothers.  After leaving school Paul worked in a variety of jobs including being a clerk in the Magistrates Courts and a care worker in a Children’s Convalescent Home in West Kirby. \n  \nCrossover into mainstream \nSet against the turbulent social and political landscape of 1980s Britain\, the exhibition charts the rise of Lily Savage within the context of Section 28 and widespread homophobia. Lily Savage emerged as a defiant response to the era’s unrest\, channelling working-class resilience into high-glamour\, razor-sharp satire. \nAs we mark the 60th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act\, the exhibition places Paul O’Grady at the vanguard of LGBTQIA+ visibility. It maps the moment queer culture crossed over from the pub and club underground into the collective heart of the British public\, forever altering the national cultural fabric.  \nLily’s television career included hosting “The Lily Savage Show” (BBC); “Lily Live” (ITV); and “Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank”. After resting Lily\, Paul O’Grady’s career flourished in many directions from the BAFTA award-winning “The Paul O’Grady Show”\, “Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs” and “Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes” to name but a few. He also had a definitive decade-long residency on BBC Radio 2\, making him one of the most significant cultural figures of his generation. \nHe has written four volumes of his autobiography and in 2017 “Paul O’Grady’s Country Life” was published.  Paul’s children’s books about Eddie Albert focus on a boy who lives with his dad after his mum has died and who finds he has the ability to talk to animals.  They are his friends and they have adventures together which include rescuing a baby orangutan from a cruel owner.  Paul wanted his books to encourage children to be kind to animals as well as wanting to support children who are bullied in school or who feel they don’t fit in. \nDespite all his success which undoubtedly changed his life he remained passionate about speaking out when he considered people were being treated unjustly and in his TV series about the Working Class and “The Sally Army and Me” he wanted to highlight the day to day struggles of ordinary people and show the hard work that goes on often unnoticed by the powers that be. \n  \nThe Archive: Craft\, Costume\, and Character \nFor the first time\, the public is invited to engage with the meticulous craft behind the persona. The exhibition brings together a unique selection of items from Paul O’Grady’s archive: \n\nIconic Wardrobe: Original Lily Savage and pantomime costumes that defined an era of British drag.\nMedia: Rare footage\, scripts\, photography\, and oral histories documenting LGBTQIA+ activism and working-class life and entertainment.\nPrivate World: An intimate look at Paul’s personal eclectic collection of objects\, figurines\, and puppets\, revealing the influences that shaped his creative psyche.\n\n  \nA Living Heritage \nThanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund\, this exhibition will spread from behind the gallery walls to document Paul’s legacy and the lived experience of his peers and community. Through a series of oral history sessions\, the exhibition documents the lived experiences of the local LGBTQIA+ community\, ensuring Paul O’Grady’s legacy is intertwined with the heritage of the Northwest and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The exhibition will be accompanied by a year-long public programme of Talking Heads\, music\, performance and cabaret to inspire and platform the next generation of queer talent alongside reading clubs of Paul O’Grady children’s books in libraries across the Wirral. good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people\, places and communities. \nWith thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/paul-ogrady/
LOCATION:Merseyside
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 4
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