Williamson Art Gallery

A Duo of Duos
2025-08-29 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Live Music by E n B a couple who enjoy singing and playing instruments together return to the Williamson. They perform an eclectic mix of songs from the likes of The Houghton Weavers
to the Killers via John Prine and Cat Stevens.
E n B will be joined by Pam & Keith bringing together the sounds of the Acoustic Guitar and Violin. Showcasing original music and covers of your favourite hits.
These two vibrant duos will be performing in the Café which is set to be a fabulous Friday evening.
The Café will be open for drinks and light bites.

Preserving Ghosts: A Workshop About Pickling & Grief
2025-09-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Join artist Emily Simpson for a hands-on, open conversation about grief, through the grounding process of making pickles.

As part of Who Wants Flowers When They’re Dead?, exhibiting artist Emily Simpson invites people who have experienced grief to join them for a workshop centred around a communal ritual of preservation – making pickles. As we chop vegetables and prepare pickle jars together, there will be moments for reflection and conversation about grief. Pickling becomes a metaphor for the magical thinking of grief – how we carry people forward with us as we learn to live with loss. The aim is to find connection, explore grief literacy, and create a space where those living with loss can feel less alone. This workshop forms part of Emily’s artwork in the exhibition; a patchwork tablecloth and place setting for shared conversations.

The work is inspired by Emily’s experience of tending to their Dad’s allotment after his death. It speaks to the magical thinking of grief, how loss evolves, takes root in the landscape, and to a wider sense of ecological grief in our collective disconnection from nature.

Book NowPlease note:Places are limited to 8 participants so please only book if you are certain you can attend. Likewise, please get in touch if you can no longer come, so we can offer your place to someone else.
Please be Aware:
– This workshop is for anyone who has experienced grief and is ready to talk about it, or anyone who is interested in learning more about it.
– The session will focus on our experience of grief and living with loss rather than the details of a person’s death. This is to avoid more distressing subject matter.
– Whilst Emily is an experienced facilitator in this subject, they are not a trained counsellor.
– Participants are invited to be respectful and sensitive towards other people and their experiences. We recognise that taking part in an event like this requires people to be vulnerable and so participants are asked to be mindful of this and considerate of each other’s boundaries and the different stages of grief we may be in.
– The workshop aims to create a positive and affirming space. However, we recognise that it may bring up difficult emotions. Please create space for any thoughts and feelings to settle after your visit. Make time to; go for a walk, drink your favourite tea, cook something comforting, listen to your favourite song, sit by a tree. Please be gentle with yourself

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Liverpool Shanty Choir, 'The Surplus Badge' and The Long Haul
2025-09-13 14:30 - 16:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Join Artist A & Artist B and Liverpool Shanty Choir for a live performance of their shanty songs and release of a limited edition 7” single with screen printed sleeve artwork.
Artist A & Artist B will introduce their practice and discuss ‘The Long Haul’, their new commission for Liverpool Independent’s Biennial exhibited in the Williamson’s Maritime Gallery and screen their film, The Surplus Badge, commissioned in 2023 for the British Textiles Biennial.

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Sunflower Dreams Project
2025-09-17 10:00 - 2026-01-31 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
The 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.
These 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.
Seeing 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.

More On The Sunflower Dreams Project

Wirral History & Heritage Open Days: Della Robbia and Architecture Talk
2025-09-18 10:30 - 2025-09-27 15:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
As part of Wirral History and Heritage Open Days, the Williamson will be taking a deep dive into the collection.

Join our Collections Manager Josh as we delve into the early history of Della Robbia ceramics, focusing on the beautiful panels made by the company to adorn buildings in the local area.
FREE to attend, booking required.

Click Here to Book Now

September 18th, 19th & 27th
10:30am & 3pm

Little Chameleons Art Club
2025-09-24 10:30 - 2025-12-17 11:30 | Merseyside
The Little Chameleons Art Club is a fun, hands-on art class for toddlers and young children ages 18 months to 5 years. Sessions are all about creativity, exploration, and sensory play, helping little ones develop confidence and motor skills while having lots of fun.
Expect messy arts and crafts, themed activities designed to spark imagination as well as child led free play.
All materials are provided — just bring your child in clothes you don’t mind getting messy! The relaxed, friendly environment encourages self-expression and social interaction, making it a perfect space for young artists to explore and create.
AUTUMN DATES including Halloween Special:
September: 24th
October: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22th, 29th
November: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December: 3rd, 17th (Christmas Special)
Book Now
The Little Chameleons Art Club Website

The Williamson Open 2025
2025-10-10 08:00 - 2025-12-13 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
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.
The exhibition is now open!
Take 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
View the Online Catalogue
On purchases made in the gallery, we offer the Own Art scheme.
Own 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.
Choose 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.

Find out more about the scheme and eligibility criteria: www.ownart.org.uk
Please note that Own Art cannot be applied to online artwork purchases.

The Annie Long Trio
2025-10-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
We’re welcoming the ever-popular Annie Long Trio back to the Williamson for another performance.
Welcoming back sultry Wirral jazz diva Annie Long together with her talented and versatile musicians, Keith Singleton on guitar and and Michael Hughes on vibes.
Expect an autumn themed set of popular swing jazz standards, Latin vibes and bluesy ballads.
The Cafe will be open for drinks and light bites.
Cafe Information

Live music with Mark Miller/ EnB
2025-10-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Two acts in one evening bring fantastic live music to the Williamson for a Friday night!
Mark Miller is a talented local musician, singer-songwriter, he is performing solo this evening for us. Mark will be performing some of his own songs along with a set of covers. He should not be missed!
EnB are a couple who sing and play instruments together, The perform an eclectic mix of songs from the likes of The Houghton Weavers to The Killers, via John Prine and Cat Stevens.
The Williamson Cafe will be serving drinks and snacks.

Yoga & Sound: Wellness Experience
2025-10-30 11:30 - 13:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Yoga with Live Sitar Music An immersive experience by Milap at The Williamson
Join us for a deeply restorative yoga session with the gentle, meditative sounds of live sitar music.
Led by yoga practitioner Sian Griffin with music by sitarist Jonathan Mayer this 90-minute
experience invites you to slow down, tune in, and connect.
Each session blends pranayama (breathwork), asana (movement), and a guided deep relaxation, ending with a live sound bath using sitar and crystal singing bowls.
The practice is designed to be accessible for all levels, with both dynamic and gentle options available. Let the music move through you, grounding the body, quieting the mind, and opening the heart.

Click Here to Book Now

Kaboodle Choir, supported by Kab'Ukes
2025-10-31 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Kaboodle Community Choir were formed in 2007. Their performances at the gallery are always entertaining, and they’ll be performing a broad range of popular songs.
They are supported by Kab’Ukes, a small band of Ukelele players, who are all members of the choir. They’ll be performing their own fun and energetic set in the middle of the show.
The Williamson Cafe will be open for refreshments.

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
2025-11-14 10:00 - 2026-01-31 17:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
The Williamson is delighted to be hosting the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2025 for its only exhibition outside of London.
The 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.
The 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.
The 2025 awards were announced on 8th October 2025, totalling £27,000 awarded to artists working in contemporary drawing.
The 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.

About the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize

Oxton Art Fair
2025-11-15 10:00 - 2025-11-16 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
The hugely popular annual fair returns for two days!
Join 24 talented local artists and makers for the 21st annual Oxton Art Fair. Painting, Ceramics, Textiles, Jewellery, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Design & Illustration all available to purchase and browse.
The Williamson Cafe will be open throughout.
Saturday 15th: 10am-5pm
Sunday 16th: 10am-4pm

Music from the Wirral 3L's Choir
2025-11-21 18:45 - 19:45 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
‘3Ls’ stands for Learning, Leisure and Laughter, – principles epitomised by this Choir. Made up of people from all over the Wirral. Including people who have sung in choirs all their life and people for whom singing is a new adventure.
On Friday 21st November from 6.45pm they will be performing a programme that focuses on songs of love and friendship, led by their music Director, Stella McGann.
These performances are to raise funds through your donations for the Wirral Women’s and Children’s Aid (Refuge). Please come along to support this excellent local charity.
The Wirral 3Ls Choir is part of an organisation of daytime learning and leisure activities, ranging from Art to Languages and Pilates.
The Williamson Café will be open during the performances for drinks and light bites.

Find out more about Wirral 3Ls

Peter Rainsford Presents
2025-11-28 11:00 - 12:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Peter Rainsford presents a Miscellany of Music and Creativity.
Peter is founder and director of Tafelmusik music school in Oxton. Each month he brings a varied repertoire of music and performers to the Williamson.
As well as a musical talk from Peter and songs from singer/songwriter Paula, this month’s special guest is tenor Terence Robertson who will sing a selection of well-known songs.
Terence Robertson has performed in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany Spain and Switzerland. He studied with Carlo Bergonzi and Luciano Pavarotti, and he has sung with Scottish Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Opera Holland Park and won great success in the role of Verdi’s Otello with Welsh National Opera.

Tafelmusik website

Life Drawing
2025-12-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Liverpool Life Drawing will be returning for the next of their Friday night Life Drawing sessions at the Williamson.
Open to all abilities, no experience needed as the tutors can guide you through the session. Basic materials will be available, though you are also welcome to bring your own or let the tutors know if there’s anything specific you require.
£10 cash or card payment on the night. No booking required.
Sessions will be on the second Friday of every month on an ongoing basis.
About Liverpool Life Drawing

Live music with Eleanor Kelly
2025-12-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Eleanor Kelly is a classical guitarist who has been a regular performer at the Williamson for many years, and we’re delighted to welcome her back for a new setlist performance.
In December she will be performing music by Latin women composers, focusing on the music of the beautiful music of Argentine composer Carmen Guzmán to celebrate her centenary. Expect fiery rhythms, beautifully intimate melodies, and an exploration of rich Latin music on guitar.
Free admission but donations welcome to support Eleanor’s Carmen Guzmán Recording Project, which you can read more about below.
Eleanor Kelly | Recording project

Books and Banter
2025-12-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Love books? Love talking about books? Love Books & Banter!
Books and Banter is an opportunity to talk about books guided by theme, with no specific book set to read. Discussions around the subject are facilitated but not restricted, and tangents are welcome.
The theme of December’s meeting will be Celebration.
Free to all – no need to book, just come along!
Take a look at the list from November’s session
MEMORY: books that punctuated your life

The Williamson Café will be open and serving refreshments, including alcohol.

Enjoy the Piano
2025-12-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
A varied selection of Piano Music played by local musicians.
Our Enjoy the Piano sessions are going from strength to strength, and we are always happy to hear from musicians who would like to take part in the concert.
Please contact: Peter Rainsford- piedpiper2000@aol.com to book your place.

The Café will be open for refreshments.

Christmas With The Spinoffs
2025-12-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Spinoffs performances at the Williamson are always hugely popular and we’re happy to welcome them back in December.
They’re a group of eight friends who originally just met up on a weekly basis to play their instruments and sing together for the pure fun of it. They started with no intention of performing in public; that was 8 years ago…
They continue to enjoy playing a range of music together whilst raising money for local charities and do hope you will enjoy listening to their Christmas Set.

Yoga Nidra with Claire
2025-12-29 14:00 - 15:15 | Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH43 4UE, United Kingdom
Yoga Nidra a beautiful restorative yoga practice – a deep meditative relaxation- offered by local yoga teacher, Claire Hesketh.
After the overwhelm of Christmas receive this offering of a restorative yoga practice in the beautiful surroundings of the Williamson Art Gallery. At the borderline of one year ending and another beginning allow yourself to rest deeply in the borderland between waking and sleeping.
This 75-minute practice offers calming yoga breathwork and restorative postures to ground us and cultivate a sense of warmth and connection with ourselves and each other. We will reflect on what we wish to let go of and what deep heartfelt hopes we take into the coming months. Then we move into a practice of Yoga Nidra or Yoga Sleep.
Leave with a sense of calm and deep peace to move forward into 2026.

About Clair Hesketh
Claire Hesketh is a retired psychotherapist and after a lifelong career in the NHS is now able to commit herself fully to sharing the teachings and gifts of yoga. Having recently returned to the Wirral after many years living in the northeast Claire is passionate about emotional wellbeing and offers a range of yoga practices focusing on supporting our daily lives through all of yoga’s teachings.
She offers a calm holding space and specialises in yoga nidra and yoga for menopause.
Come prepared to settle down and be cosy and comfortable. Please bring your yoga mat, blankets and a small cushion. Wear comfy warm clothes.

Click here to BOOK
