Williamson Art Gallery

David Clapham: The River Runs Through
2024-04-06 10:00 - 2024-06-15 17:00 UTC | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
Two 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.
The 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.

Ceramics Workshop
2024-04-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Book Now

Join ceramicist Jo Williams for a ceramics workshop where you will be able to hand build and form 2 plates of differing sizes and coat in coloured slips.

You will pencil simple shapes or images on your plates then carve away the background with carving tools while your plate is leatherhard, a relaxing and mindful experience leaving you with beautiful plates to use or display.
Jo will take your plates away to clear glaze and fire and will bring them back to the Williamson for you to pick up 2 weeks later.
Suitable for all abilities including absolute beginners. All materials included.

Going To The Match On Tour
2024-04-19 10:00 - 2024-07-27 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
The 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.
This 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.
The 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.
#LowryGTTM
Image Credit: LS Lowry, Going to the Match, 1953
© The Estate of L.S. Lowry. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024

Jazz with Mark Jones & Gerry Harrison
2024-04-26 18:30 - 20:30
Gerry Harrison (piano) and Mark Jones (woodwind) is a blend of different instruments, playing hot, cool and modern jazz!
They have been playing together for many years, in a variety of jazz ensembles and duets instrumentally covering the best of the Great American Songbook hits! Venues they’ve played include Bluecoat, Liverpool ONE, MelloMello, Ship & Mitre Pub and Capstone Theatre.
Their set at the Williamson will take place in the Cafe, which will be open for drinks and light bites (last hot food orders 8pm).
Photography welcome, however no flash please.

At The Match: Book Launch & Artist's Talk
2024-05-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Book Tickets
To celebrate LS Lowry’s famous painting ‘Going to the Match’ being on display to the public here at Williamson Museum and Art Gallery, photographer Colin McPherson will be staging a talk contrasting visual representations of football supporters now and in the past.
McPherson will draw on his own photography featured in ‘At The Match’, a newly-published compendium of images of contemporary football culture from the photography archive of When Saturday Comes magazine, to discuss how the rituals and routines of going to the match have changed through the generations.
‘At The Match’ showcases the work of Wirral-based McPherson and his colleagues Simon Gill and Paul Thompson have made over the last 20 years covering matches across the United Kingdom and Ireland at all levels from international to grassroots football. Copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night.
At the event, McPherson will also present a new piece of work inspired by Lowry’s masterpiece. Titled ‘Going to the Match (after Lowry), 2024’ it is a reimagining of the painting, taken this year at Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Community Stadium (the original was a representation of the club’s former Burnden Park home).
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Colin McPherson is a photographer, filmmaker and writer whose work has appeared in When Saturday Comes since the magazine’s launch in 1986. Over the last 35 years, his photography has been published and exhibited internationally and he worked for 20 years on assignments and commissions for The Independent from 1995-2016. He is a member of the Merseyside-based SixBySix photography collective and contributes regularly to Nutmeg, the Scottish football periodical and The Blizzard.

Wirral 3Ls Choir
2024-05-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
The Wirral 3Ls Choir is part of an organisation of daytime learning and leisure activities, ranging from Art to Languages and Pilates. The ‘3Ls’ in the name stands for Learning, Leisure and Laughter, and the choir epitomises these principles.
Made up of people from all over the Wirral, this adult mixed voice choir includes those who have sung in choirs all their life and those for whom singing is a new adventure.
Their repertoire includes well-known songs from the Musicals, pop songs and the classics. They will showcase some of these, led by their Music Director, Stella McGann.

Schultz/Chatterton Music & Poetry
2024-05-31 18:30 - 20:30
Alison Schultz is a poet and musician from Wirral, with a background in teaching up to postgraduate level. She is one of the team who deliver Wirral Poetry Festival annually, curates a monthly performance night The Wordsmithery, and is currently working on her third collection. Her two previous volumes Eyes on the Bright Horizon (2018) and Observatory (2021) are available on Amazon.
Since 2022, Alison has been performing at Arts Centres and galleries with acclaimed guitarist John Chatterton. John specialises in atmospheric and emotive semi-improvised pieces, here accompanying the poems. The result is a dance between words and music which is hypnotic.
Each of them will do a short set separately, and then a longer, joint set.
Wirral Poetry Festival
The Wordsmithery
Alison Schultz’s books on Amazon

Wirral MakeFest 2024
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00
Wirral MakeFest, the highly anticipated festival celebrating creativity, innovation, and community, returns for its 2nd annual event. Taking place across the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum and Birkenhead Central Library. Wirral MakeFest promises to be a day filled with inspiration, learning, and hands-on experiences for all ages.
With a wide array of activities, workshops, and exhibits, Wirral MakeFest 2024 offers something for everyone. From technology enthusiasts to artists, scientists, crafters, and hobbyists with a theme of sustainability. This year’s event is set to be the most diverse and engaging yet and is part of the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture programme.
The one day free festival will feature:

Drop in and scheduled workshops : Engage in interactive workshops covering topics such as coding, 3D printing, and sustainable living. We are delighted that the team from Seacombe’s Eureka! Science and Discovery will be sharing their “Chew to Poo” activities all about digestion throughout the day from the library.
Exhibits: Explore a variety of exhibits showcasing technology, art, and DIY culture.
Demos: Witness fascinating demonstrations from local makers and the UK, including virtual electronics, woodcarving, model making and more.
Hands-On Activities: Dive into hands-on activities, including crafting, upcycling, Lego building and experimental projects.
Performances from local poets and musicians at both venues.
An exciting use of space inside and out with a pop up cafe in the library’s pocket park and integration of the wonderful “Going to the Match” Lowry exhibition into some of the activities at the Williamson.
Community: Connect with fellow makers, creators, and innovators from the Wirral area and beyond.

Wirral MakeFest 2024 is free and open to the public, welcoming families, students, professionals, and hobbyists alike. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s event.
“Wirral MakeFest is a celebration of the incredible creativity and innovation within our community,” said Alison Bailey Smith, director of Wirral MakeFest C.I.C. “We are thrilled to provide a platform for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, learn, and be inspired. Very pleased to be part of the Borough of Culture programme and to have secured some funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund”.
www.wirralmakefest.co.uk.

Mallory & Irvine – 100 Years
2024-06-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
SOLD OUT
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first British attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. But did you know that both George Mallory and Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine both spent time in their childhoods in Birkenhead?
To commemorate this anniversary we will welcome Julie Summers to the Williamson for a talk on Sandy Irvine, his life at Park Road South, Birkenhead, and his role in this historic expedition. Julie will speak about Sandy’s early life in Birkenhead, his rowing career and his successful crossing of the Norwegian Island of Spitsbergen before focusing on the 1924 Mount Everest expedition. There is no mystery in British mountaineering more famous than the story of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine. Julie will give background to the early Everest expeditions (1921, 1922) before zooming in on 1924 and sharing her thoughts on whether or not the two Birkenhead men reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain 29 years before Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.
Julie Summers is Sandy Irvine’s great niece and biographer. She started working on the 1924 Mount Everest expedition over 25 years ago and published Fearless on Everest: The Quest for Sandy Irvine in 2000. It remains in print. Since then she has written 13 more works on non-fiction, worked a stint as the Chairman of the Mountain Heritage Trust and is currently the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Kellogg College, Oxford.

Make Music Day with Medical Negligence
2024-06-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Bringing their great music back to the Williamson, we’re pleased to welcome back Medical Negligence for another live performance.
The band put their own unique twist on well-known songs from recent decades, from the Everley Brothers in the 60’s to 80’s music like Erasure and more recent songs by the Foo Fighters. There’ll be something for every taste!
The Cafe will be open for drinks (including alcohol) and light bites (last hot food orders 8pm).
This performance will be live-streamed online as part of Make Music Day, an annual celebration of music-making that takes place in communities across the world on the 21st June.
Make Music Day

North Wales Society of Fine Art
2024-06-26 10:00 - 2024-07-20 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
Artists 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.
This exhibition will showcase recent work by members of the society.
Meet 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.

Take 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.
To find out more and to apply for the Own Art scheme, please make an appointment at the front desk.

The KD Club
2024-06-28 09:00 - 2024-07-05 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Introducing an exciting opportunity for children and young people this summer!
The 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.
The completed pieces will then be displayed at the Williamson over the summer.
The aim of this project is to boost self-confidence and nurture creativity, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
If you’re inspired to become a young fashion designer, get involved by contacting us. Entries close 5th July.
Get in touch
Find Out More About The KD Club

Absolute Beginners Upholstery Workshop: July course
2024-07-20 09:30 - 2024-07-27 13:30
A two-session course on Saturday mornings, includes all materials and a footstool.
Ever wanted to try out some upholstery but not been sure where to start? This is the perfect course for you!
This is a comprehensive course with a balance of both theory and practical instruction ensuring you have the confidence to repeat at home and/or progress to the next level.
At the end of the two-session course you will have your own footstool ready to be taken home!
Book Now

Children's drop-in workshop
2024-07-25 10:30 - 12:00
Join Julie for a fun morning of arty activities suitable for all ages.
Drop into the Art Room anytime between 10:30am and 12pm to get involved with crafts and creations which you can take home.
No booking required. Donations to support activities warmly welcomed.

The KD Club Exhibition
2024-08-02 10:00 - 2024-09-14 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
An exhibition and participation space to inspire design enthusiasts this summer.
The 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.
Over 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.
If 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.
Suitable for ages, this celebration of design and young people’s ingenuity is not to be missed.

About The KD Club
Kirsty 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.
She 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.

Into The Wyld
2024-08-02 10:00 - 2024-12-21 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
Into 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.
Material Matters’ artists will respond to key themes in the Gawain poem across three exhibitions:

Nature curated by Patric Rogers from 2nd August – 13th September
Chivalry curated by John Elcock from 19th September – 25th October
Spirituality curated by Angelo Madonna from 7th November – 21st December
Weavers a parallel programme of performance, talks, workshops and readings will be curated by Silvia Battista.

Gawain 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.
Featured 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.
Professor 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.
The symposium Spirits of Place will take place as part of the programme on 12th October – find out more and book via the link below.
Material 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’.
Into the Wyld is supported by Wirral Borough of Culture 2024 and Liverpool Hope University.
Weavers Events: Spirituality
More about Material Matters
More about Wirral Borough of Culture 2024

Into The Wyld: Weavers Events
2024-08-03 08:00 - 2024-09-13 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Weavers is a programme of performances, talks, workshops and readings curated by Dr Silvia Battista. It’s part of Into The Wyld, a festival of contemporary art exploring the legacy of the medieval poem Sir Gawain And The Green Knight.
Find out more about Into The Wyld
The festival is divided into three themes: Nature, Chivalry and Spirituality. The events below are all connected to the theme of NATURE.
All events are FREE to attend but must be booked in advance via the link below (except the first half of Alice Colquhoun’s performance 2-3:30pm, which is drop-in)
Saturday 3rd August, 3 – 4:30pm Talk by Sarah Peverley on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Join Professor Sarah Peverley for some quality time with one of the most famous pieces of literature produced in medieval England.
Info & Booking

Friday 9th August, 6:30 – 8pm Reimagining The Wirral: Poetry reading by Eleanor Rees.
Internationally-recognised poet Eleanor Rees will read two long, immersive poems which seek to take you into another world, alongside several short new poems written with the evocative landscapes of Bidston Hill and Birkenhead.
Info & Booking

Saturday 24th August 10am – 12pm Children’s Workshops led by Madeleine Smart
A storytelling performance and creative workshop for children and families. Follow Gawain’s journey from King Arthur’s court, through the wildness of the Wirral and onwards. Will Gawain keep his oath to the fearsome Green Knight and submit to his deadly axe or will he lose his head?!
Info & Booking

Friday 6th September 5 – 8:30pm (slots available for 1:1 performances) Kissing Booth: performance by Izzie Major
Immerse yourself in this interactive, one-to-one, appointment-only performance from Izzie Major, accompanied by a seductive soundscape mixed by artist Craig Sinclair.
Info & Booking

Saturday 7th September 2 – 5pm Her Alchemy Matters: Performance by Alice Colquhoun (2-3:30 drop-in performance no booking required, 4-5pm 1:1 performance slots available to book)
In this walkabout performance Colquhoun draw upon representations of the wild feminine in the Williamson, interacting with the public and the heritage exhibition on display. The performance walkabout will finish with ‘prophetic offerings’ towards the end of the day, where audience members can book in for 1.1 for a session with the character.
Info & Booking

Friday 13th September 6:30 – 8pm Conversations With The Artists moderated by Dr Catherine Morris
At the end of the exhibition the public is invited to participate in a round table conversation with the artists and the curators of the exhibition together with Dr Catherine Morris, who will moderate it. This will offer the opportunity to both the public and the artists to share ideas and explore further the cultural relevance that the tale of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight have for our complex times.
Info & Booking

Guest Craftsperson: Alison Bailey Smith
2024-08-09 08:00 - 2024-12-21 17:00
Our current Guest Supplier is Alison Bailey Smith.
Born 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.
Alison 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.
Her 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.
Alison 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.
To 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.

Tabitha Jussa: Match Day
2024-08-16 10:00 - 2024-12-21 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
Match 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.
Although 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.
Match 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.

Absolute Beginners Upholstery Workshop: August course
2024-08-17 09:30 - 2024-08-24 13:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom

Jim Pearson
2024-08-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Jim Pearson is an indie songwriter who has been an active performer in the North West for more than a decade. His songs range from the whimsical to some of the most bitter and sombre themes, yet always with a paradoxical childlike spirit that meets them head-on.
His music has been played regularly on BBC 6 Music by Tom Robinson, and most recently Jim won the Judges Award at the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2023 with his song The Boy with the Red Hat.
He will be playing two distinct sets of his own material; acoustic and electric.
Visit Jim’s Website
The Cafe will be open for drinks and light bites (last hot food orders 8pm).

Capriccio Singers
2024-08-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Capriccio Singers are a mixed voice choir of 9 singers. Formed in 1991 they regularly perform through Wirral, Liverpool, Merseyside and Cheshire.
They sing in a wide variety of music and styles, so there’s something for everyone!
The Cafe will be open for drinks and light bites, from 6:30pm

JOIN THE SINGERS: If you’re inspired by the performance of the Capriccio Singers, they’re looking for new members, particularly in the tenor and bass sections. Visit their website to find out more.
www.capricciosingers.co.uk

Ceramic tiles workshop
2024-09-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Join ceramicist Jo Williams for a ceramics workshop where you will design your own decorative ceramic tiles.

You will be provided with a large sheet of leatherhard clay from which you will be able to cut and form your own tiles. You will colour your tiles with different coloured slips and when dry you will be able to carve into the surface with carving tools. You will be able to first draw your designs on your tile, then Jo will show you how to carve your image from the tile or carve the background away leaving your image on the surface. She will then take the tiles to be bisque and clear glaze fired and bring them back in 2 weeks for you to collect. You will be able to make as many tiles as you want in the time we have.

Suitable for all abilities including absolute beginners. All materials included.
Book Tickets

An Introduction to Philip Wilson Steer
2024-09-12 11:00 - 2024-09-27 12:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Join our team for a talk on the renowned Birkenhead artist, Philip Wilson Steer, with a guide through his life and works. This will be followed by a private viewing of paintings not usually on public display.
Philip Wilson Steer was one of the first British artists to look for France for inspiration. As Professor of Art at the Slade School of Art for over 30 years, he had an important influence on generations of 20th-century artists. He was the first living artist to be given a retrospective at the Tate, in 1929.
We have 48 of Steer’s works in our collection, covering all stages of his career, and these 45-minute talks will introduce you to the career of this significant locally-born figure.
Talks will take place at 11am on Thursday 12th (SOLD OUT), Friday 13th (SOLD OUT- RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY 27TH) Saturday 14th September as part of Wirral Heritage Open Days.
Book Now
Our works by Philip Wilson Steer
More about Heritage Open Days

Live Music by Katie Nicholas
2024-09-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
We’re delighted to welcome award-winning singer-songwriter Katie Nicholas back to the Williamson for another special performance.
Katie Nicholas is a songwriter from Liverpool recognised for her poignant lyricism and accomplished guitar-playing, with BBC radio Scotland’s Annie Massie highlighting her “Powerful Vulnerability” on the Travelling Folk Show. Fearless in bending any genre to suit her message, Katie’s work has been celebrated by local legends such as Billy Butler and BBC Intro Merseyside’s Dave Monks. She has featured on the SSL 2 audio advert with her first viral country track “Chemistry”, written when she was 17 and awarded the Liverpool Michael Molloy Youth Music Award sponsored by Mayor of Liverpool. Most recently Katie independently sold-out her headline show at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room accompanied with strings in November 2023, accompanied.

Katie’s community has been steadily building on an organic grass-roots level, performing sold out shows at various theatres, galleries, museums and more. In 2024 Katie embarked on her 50-song video series, the “Songwriter Diaries” where she explores 10+ years of her unreleased material which never saw the light of day due to industry setbacks and personal circumstances. Endorsed by Aston Microphones, this series will run throughout the year.
Liverpool Echo Interview
Visit Katie’s Website

Live Music: Helen Delamere
2024-10-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Wirral, with a genuine passion for music, nature, and love. Helen has been writing lyrics, poems, feelings, and thoughts for as long as she can remember. In 2016 she decided she wanted to learn the guitar so she could perform her songs. And that’s exactly what she did!
Embarking on her musical journey Helen taught herself to play the guitar, and began to write more songs. Working in a few different jobs along the way helped her to realise that her true calling was music.
After releasing her debut album, Meaningful Conversations in 2020 and a few singles over the past couple of years, Helen is very excited that her new album, “Keep Movin’” was released on 14 February 2024. This record highlights Helen’s development as a songwriter and artist, and like Helen is an enchanting mix of different feelings and energy, exploring themes of happiness, growth, and love.
Helen’s music is best described as an eclectic mix of modern / pop folk and is a product of her musical influences she was exposed to at home growing up, including Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, and Tom Petty.
Helen will be selling copies of her latest album ‘Keep Movin” on the night – each album comes with a free download code for all devices.
www.helendowney.co.uk.

Reclaiming the Narratives
2024-10-23 10:00 - 2024-11-02 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
This Black History Month, Williamson Art Gallery has been working with Afrograph to address its collection’s slavery links.
African textiles from Afrograph’s collection have been used to reinterpret the Arrowe Hall collection in Gallery 7, and reclaim the narrative.
Activities:
Workshops: 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
Talk: “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.

Find out more about Afrograph

Drop-in Life Drawing Day
2024-11-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
The Liver Sketching Club are coming back to the galleries for another of their popular drop-in drawing days.
Models will be sitting continuously between 10am and 4pm, and you can drop in anytime during the day to join in with the activity. You can bring your own drawing materials, or there will be some pencils and paper available.
Models will be fully clothed and the day is suitable for artists of all ages.

Find Out More about The Liver Sketching Club

Oxton Art Fair
2024-11-16 10:00 - 2024-11-17 16:00
It’s the 20th anniversary of Oxton Art Fair, and the 20th year the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum will be hosting OAF for one of our busiest festive events of the year.
Last year, 1700 visitors came to chat, browse, or buy from the artists. This year, Oxton Art Fair has 21 artists showcasing their work, including the 13 members and eight guest artists, across eight gallery rooms.
Oxton Artists was founded in 2004 by a group of friends who were aware there was a core of artists residing in the area. With artists formerly of the area returning from overseas and newcomers attracted to the community atmosphere and picturesque village, Oxton Art Fair was born. Since then, it has held its annual November Oxton Art Fair event at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum. All member artists and craftspeople have connections to and/or live in Oxton and exhibit regularly in the North West, some nationally and a few internationally.
The collective has retained its longevity through its core objective, to keep OAF fresh, innovative and inspirational to all who visit.
oxtonartfair.co.uk

Participating artists:
Alison Bailey Smith – mixed media (guest artist)
Angela Stringer – mixed media (guest artist)
Carla Pownall – pottery
Clare Cosens – textiles (guest artist)
Carol Emmas – painter/photographer
David Turner – painter (guest artist)
Deb Kemp – painter (guest artist)
Donalda O’Neill – painter (guest artist)
Jo Burton – sculpture (guest artist)
Joseph Venning – painter
Judith Brown – jewellery (guest artist)
Katie Tyson – illustration
Ken Bryning – painting
Laura Weston – printmaking
Lynda Roberts – mixed media
Lisa Waldman – jewellery
Sian Bailey – illustration
Patsy Taylor – textiles
Slip and Tickle – ceramics
Theresia Cadwallader – jewellery

The Annie Long Jazz Trio
2024-11-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
THE ANNIE LONG JAZZ TRIO
with
Annie Long :-vocals
Tom Sykes:- piano
Keith Singleton:- guitar
Popular jazz singer Annie Long returns with her talented musicians for an afternoon concert in Gallery 4. Expect a lively mix of swing jazz, blues and Latin standards, with some seasonal favourites for good measure!
The show is free to attend, however donations to support the band are warmly welcomed.
