Alongside the exhibition, the Williamson Art Gallery will be unveiling a specially commissioned new sculpture by Emma for the Gallery’s outdoor courtyard. The ‘Garden of Artemis’ is a life-size ornamental oak tree sculpture in steel and bronze – a nod to both the oak tree in Birkenhead’s coat of arms, and the trees that feature in the Gallery’s collection of Della Robbia decorative ceramics. The sculpture has been made possible by funding from the estate of Fanchon Frohlich, through the Williamson and Priory Friends.

More information about the exhibition, artist and Williamson Art Gallery & Museum can be found on our website or contact Julia Johnson juliajohnson@wirral.gov.uk.

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The RedBall Project – already showcased in global locations such as Sydney, Paris and California – will take over the city from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 July.

Across ten days, the 15ft-diameter RedBall Liverpool will appear in different areas around the city – some will be tourist hotspots, others more local or undiscovered locations meeting the audience on their own streets.

Areas the artwork will be visiting are:

• Friday 15 July – Royal Albert Dock Liverpool
• Saturday 16 July – Pier Head
• Sunday 17 July – St George’s Hall
• Monday 18 July – Chinatown
• Tuesday 19 July – Dale Street
• Wednesday 20 July – Windsor Street, Toxteth
• Thursday 21 July – Lord Street
• Friday 22 July – Baltic Triangle
• Saturday 23 July – Everton Brow
• Sunday 24 July – Liverpool ONE

For more information and times the work will be on display visit www.visitliverpool.com/redball, and to find out about the wider RedBall Project and its previous travels, visit redballproject.com/Cities/liverpool.

American artist behind the project Kurt Perschke believes the simplicity of the work is what makes it so impactful – giving audiences a moment of joy but also encouraging them to think differently about the places around them and view with fresh eyes places they may walk past or through every day.

As well as the main event, a number of engagement projects linked to the RedBall performance will be taking place in and around Everton Park and Toxteth.

This artwork has been brought to the city thanks to a partnership between Culture Liverpool, Arts Council England and Global Streets.

Artist Kurt Perschke, said

“Art is about people, and I look forward to seeing how Liverpool responds to the invitation RedBall offers. The project is not about a ball; it’s about what the combination of the site, the piece, and everyone’s energy creates together in that day.”

Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“You can always rely on Liverpool to embrace the unusual, and RedBall is ticking all those quirky and wonderful boxes.

“It’s amazing how a simple concept can have such a huge impact, and without a doubt our city is going to provide an amazing backdrop to this artwork.

“We love public art which makes us think differently about locations which we know and love – it’s about bringing new energy to the familiar and we will definitely achieve this for ten days in July.”

Toby Smith, Project Director, Global Streets, said:

“Over 10 summer days, thousands of Liverpudlians will come face to face with this big red ball, in the heart of the city or in their local neighbourhoods.

“Liverpool’s architecture will provide a unique backdrop for a playful artwork that encourages people to look at the places where they live and work through fresh eyes.

“I can’t think of a better way to launch a summer season of Global Streets events, internationally connected and locally rooted in neighbourhoods and communities across England.”

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A new exhibition, which is made up of four installations by acclaimed sculptor and artist, Peter Walker, is set to be unveiled later this month. ‘Being Human’ launches on 27 July and runs until 30 August. The exhibition is free to attend during our visiting opening hours.

As part of a two-year programme of events, exhibitions and artworks leading up to our building’s 100th anniversary, which falls in 2024, the latest collaboration between Liverpool Cathedral and the renowned artist, explores what it means to be human.

At the heart of the exhibition will be a sculpture entitled Connection, inspired by Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’. A contemporary twist on the Renaissance masterpiece, which depicts God’s hand reaching out to meet Adam’s finger, the striking installation features two giant hands, each standing at two metres tall and equivalent in height to an average front door.

‘Being Human’ aims to encourage visitors to reflect on who they are as individuals, what makes us unique as human beings and how we connect with others in a changing world, as they journey through the four artworks: Connection, Reflection, Identity and Creativity.

The exhibition promises to be just as awe-inspiring as the talented artist’s previous works at the Cathedral including ‘Peace Doves’, a mass participation art installation featuring around 18,000 paper doves suspended from the roof of the magnificent building.

Earlier this year, working as one half of the artistic duo, Luxmuralis, he amazed visitors by flooding our great space with the wonders of the universe in a dazzling display of projections, lights and sounds as part of an immersive art installation, ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’.

Speaking on his next collaboration with the Cathedral, artist and sculptor, Peter Walker, said:

“It’s a huge honour to be working with the team at Liverpool Cathedral once again. As the largest cathedral in the UK and one of the biggest in the world, the vast space within the iconic building provides the perfect setting for an exhibition that explores what it means to be human.

“Bringing together sculpture, created using traditional techniques, with interactive art installations, ‘Being Human’ willfascinate visitors of all ages across many different levels and I can’t wait to unveil the exhibition later this month.”

Dean Sue said:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Peter back to Liverpool Cathedral. ‘Being Human’ looks set to be one of his most thought-provoking pieces yet and I’m sure the exhibition will inspire visitors to contemplate just how remarkable we are as human beings.

“Our connection with others is more important than ever, particularly after so many of us experienced feelings of isolation and loneliness during the pandemic when families, friends and communities were kept apart for so long. I would like to encourage visitors from all walks of life to visit the exhibition and use the experience to reflect upon what makes us human, the value of our relationships and how we feel when we’re separated from others.”

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‘The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists’ will be displayed at the gallery from 29 June until 9 September, allowing visitors to view across the summer.

Featuring colourful artwork, the collection highlights the artists who have illustrated the infamous books for over 30 years and helped Ladybird books reach its success.

Hundreds of books are made available for visitors to browse through and share as well as the original artworks and artefacts.

Having spent more than 20 years researching and collecting items, the exhibition is the creation of curator, expert and enthusiast Helen Day.

For more information about this exhibition and other artworks and collections available to enjoy in Wirral, visit the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum website.

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House of Memories is a well-established and successful programme created by National Museums Liverpool as a resource for people living with dementia and those who support them. It includes an App – My House of Memories – providing visual and audio prompts to inspire conversation.

Thanks to an Arts Council England grant of £13,500, Wirral Museums has developed localised content for the system so it can be used to support Wirral’s commitment to becoming a more dementia-friendly organisation.

The Wirral content was launched recently as a free dementia awareness workshop at the Williamson Art Gallery, attended by a range of local people affected by dementia issues.

Jo Burns, Programme Manager for Wirral Museums, said: “House of Memories helps people to connect through memory sharing. Part of the workshop was an introduction to the programme and how it uses powerful and personal video stories to support people living with dementia.”

Peter Loosemore, Policy and Strategy Officer for Wirral Council added:

“This is just one example of the excellent work going on within the council as we fulfil our commitment to the ‘Liverpool City Region Dementia-Friendly City Region Pledge’ which Wirral Council are pleased to be a signatory. It is an important reminder of the importance of culture in its widest sense, to all our sense of well-being.”

Dawn Carroll from House of Memories said: “We are delighted that Wirral Museums are opening up their wonderful collections for people to enjoy digitally through our My House of Memories app. This year marks the 10th anniversary of House of Memories, and as part of National Museums Liverpool, we understand the power of objects to connect people to their identities, personal histories and one another.

“Our app was co-created by people living with dementia and their carers, as a way of building new connections and conversations. It is a really rewarding and stimulating way of spending an hour with a loved one – which is even more potent when exploring local memories with real relevance to people’s lives. We hope that elders, those living with dementia and their carers across Wirral will really benefit as a result.”

More information about House of Memories can be found on the NML website. The My House of Memories app is available for both Apple and Android devices via their respective App stores.

Visit the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum website for more information about Wirral Museums service

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The collaboration with local artists formspart of INNSiDE’s philosophy ‘Stay Curious’, which aims to accommodate guests’ every need with considered comforts and inspired lifestyle experiences enriched with locally curated music, art, independents and culture.

The communal space on the Meetings & Events floor of INNSiDE Liverpool, has been transformed by mural artist Jessica Arrowsmith Stanley, AKA Jazz Stan. Jazz’s fusion of fine art technique and contemporary sensibilities underpins her aesthetic, resulting in bold, engaging works. Her commissioned works vary from large scale murals to original canvases, with her prominent public works in situ from across the Northwest to London and Dubai. The new commission at INNSiDE Liverpool was created as a large-scale abstract jigsaw, manipulating and collaging patterns and shapes found around the city.

Jazz Stan commented, ‘Painting this extensive piece in the beautiful bright space, taking influence for the colour palette from the perfectly curated interiors so they worked together in harmony, was an absolute pleasure. I hope the artwork elevates and energises guests before they enter the meeting rooms to discuss creative ideas and do great things.’

A new collection of artworks from independent Liverpool art gallery, dot-art, is now live and part of an ongoing collaboration to showcase work from contemporary local artists. The new exhibition, After The Rain, by Nathan Pendlebury, shows a selection of paintings mainly from “The Waterloo Series”, celebrating landscape in all its forms; suburban, urban, coastal and otherwise. The series was produced from sketches taken around a specific coastal area of sand dunes and lakes in Waterloo, near to the artist’s home in North Liverpool. After The Rain is open to both hotel guests and visitors at the Old Street Hotel until May 2022. 

‘The Liverpool Butterfly’, the latest work from Joseph Venning, commissioned by INNSiDE, incorporates elements of Liverpool architecture in a unique way. Venning is a contemporary painter who specialises in both large scale wall mural commissions and more visually-challenging, experimental, conceptual paintings. His creation of The Liverpool Butterfly is a must-see and sits in the hotel’s ground floor lift area spanning from floor to ceiling, sure to become a hit with those looking for that iconic photo moment on the way to the bedrooms and the 360 SkyBar by Gino D’Acampo.

INNSiDE Liverpool is also excited to showcase a new artwork series from Illustrator Ali Hunter. Ali has taken a series of photos from the top of the Radio City tower and has produced contemporary drawings showing these aerial views of the city in her distinctive style. Ali’s commission, which is also part of the dot-art collaboration, will be displayed in the hotel corridors throughout the spring.

Location: Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9LQ, United Kingdom

To book a room visit www.innside.com/liverpool 

Social

Instagram: @innside_by_melia_uk

Twitter: @innsideuk

Facebook: Facebook.com/innsidebymeliauk

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The brand new stage production of Helen Forrester’s Twopence To Cross The Mersey is embarking on its first major UK national tour this Autumn. 

Twopence To Cross The Mersey UK Premiere Tour 2022 will open on Tuesday 6 September at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion in Wirral and then go on to tour a further 13 venues nationwide through to mid-November. 

The tour will visit venues in Rhyl, Stockport, Crewe, St Helens, Blackpool, Warrington, Darlington, Halifax, Croydon, Coventry, Bolton, and Southport, before closing in Liverpool. 

The new touring production of Twopence To Cross The Mersey is produced by Rob Fennah and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms and Directed by Gareth Tudor Price. Full cast to be announced.

About the show – Twopence To Cross The Mersey is a stunning period drama set in the early 1930s in the midst of the Great Depression. 

In 1931, Helen’s spendthrift father was declared bankrupt forcing the family to leave behind the nannies, servants, and beautiful middle-class home in the gentler South West of England. With nothing more than the clothes they stood up in, the family of nine took the train to Liverpool where they hoped to rebuild their shattered lives. It came as a terrible shock to find the thriving, wealthy port Helen’s father remembered as a boy, the place his own father made his fortune, had long since gone.

While 12-year-old Helen’s inept parents searched unsuccessfully to find work, she was taken out of school to look after her six younger siblings and the full burden of keeping house fell on Helen’s young shoulders. Having never had to manage a family budget in their previous life, the Forresters found themselves relying on meagre hand-outs from the local parish, charity organisations, and the kindness of strangers.  

At the age of 14, Helen had finally had enough of her miserable existence and so began a bitter fight with her mother and father to attend evening school in an effort to educate herself and make her own way in the world. But Helen’s parents had no intention of releasing their unpaid slave. They had other plans for their selfish daughter. 

Millions of people around the world know Helen Forrester’s life story told through her best-selling volumes of autobiography, Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters Of Liverpool, and Lime Street At Two. 

Helen’s literary achievements were celebrated in 2020 when an iconic Blue Plaque was unveiled at the late author’s family home in Hoylake, a place which featured heavily in her work. 

Playwright and producer Rob Fennah explained: “In 2020 we embarked on a UK Tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool – sister show to Twopence – which was brilliantly received, but we were forced to cancel after just two weeks due to the pandemic. We tried to reschedule but Covid restrictions kept getting the better of us. It was during this period I decided to rework the Twopence To Cross The Mersey script, include some new scenes and give it a fresh look. 

“Helen’s army of loyal readers will be interested to know that, when she was still with us, Helen and I shared many letters and lengthy telephone conversations about her life story. There were some real gems in amongst those conversations which I have now written into the new scenes – fascinating memories of the late author that didn’t find their way into her books.” 

Helen Forrester’s son Robert Bhatia said: “The partnership between playwright Rob Fennah and my mother Helen, and her legacy, has been outstanding. I saw the play during its last tour and the portrayal of my mother was utterly convincing.” 

Co-producer Bill Elms added: “Twopence To Cross The Mersey is one of those very special pieces of theatre which is just a real pleasure and absolute privilege to be part of. Helen Forrester’s books are gritty but so heartwarming at the same time. Her life story really captures audiences and we are incredibly excited to take the play on its very first national UK tour. Theatregoers who may have seen earlier versions can look forward to the new production and set, and we’ll be announcing the cast very soon. For fans who have never experienced the play, this is a chance to really feel Helen’s words brought to life from the page to the stage.” 

Co-producer Lynn McDermott concluded: “This new adaptation of Twopence To Cross The Mersey also features a sizeable chunk from Liverpool Miss, Helen’s second volume of autobiography, so newcomers to Helen’s story will get a complete picture of her early years in Liverpool.” 

This year’s nationwide tour of Twopence To Cross The Mersey will be followed by a tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool in Spring 2023. 

Adapted by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price 

Produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms 

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate 

Website:         www.twopencetocrossthemersey.com 

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/TwopenceThePlay 

LISTING INFORMATION 

HELEN FORRESTER’S  

TWOPENCE TO CROSS THE MERSEY 

FLORAL PAVILION 

Tuesday 6 September – Sunday 11 September 2022 

Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 2JS 

Website:         www.floralpavilion.com 

Box Office:      0151 666 0000 

RHYL PAVILION 

Wednesday 14 September – Friday 17 September 2022 

East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3AQ 

Website:         www.rhylpavilion.co.uk 

Box Office:      01745 330000 

STOCKPORT PLAZA 

Monday 19 September – Tuesday 20 September 2022 

Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP 

Website:         www.stockportplaza.co.uk 

Box Office:      0161 477 7779 

CREWE LYCEUM 

Wednesday 21 September – Saturday 24 September 2022 

Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA 

Website:         www.crewelyceum.co.uk 

Box Office:      0343 310 0050 

ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL 

Tuesday 27 September – Saturday 1 October 2022 

Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ 

Website:         www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com 

Box Office:      01744 756000 

GRAND THEATRE BLACKPOOL 

Tuesday 4 October – Thursday 6 October 2022 

33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT 

Website:         https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/ 

Box Office:      01253 290190 

WARRINGTON PARR HALL 

Saturday 8 October – Sunday 9 October 2022 

Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1BL 

Website:         https://parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on 

Box Office:      01925 442345 

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME 

Tuesday 11 October – Wednesday 12 October 2022 

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR 

Website:         www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 

Box Office:      01325 405405 

HALIFAX VICTORIA 

Thursday 13 October – Friday 14 October 2022 

Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP 

Website:         www.victoriatheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      01422 351158 

CROYDON FAIRFIELD HALLS 

Monday 17 October – Tuesday 18 October 2022 

Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG 

Website:         www.bhlivetickets.co.uk 

Box Office:      0300 500 0595 

COVENTRY ALBANY 

Wednesday 19 October – Friday 21 October 2022 

Albany Road, Coventry, CV5 6JQ 

Website:         www.albanytheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      024 7699 8964 

BOLTON ALBERT HALLS 

Tuesday 25 October – Thursday 27 October 2022 

Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU 

Website:      www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk 

Box Office:      0343 208 0500 

SOUTHPORT ATKINSON 

Tuesday 1 November – Friday 4 November 2022 

Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB 

Website:         www.theatkinson.co.uk 

Box Office:      01704 533333 

EPSTEIN THEATRE LIVERPOOL 

Saturday 5 November – Saturday 12 November 2022 

85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ 

Website:         www.epsteintheatre.co.uk 

Box Office:      0844 888 9991 

The post Helen Forrester’s smash-hit ‘Twopence To Cross The Mersey’ returns in a brand new stage production. appeared first on Wirral Life Magazine.

Led by PSVT, the online exhibition (www.drawntogether.portsunlightvillage.com) brings together for the first-time collections from Unilever Art, Archives and Records Management (UARM), National Museums Liverpool (NML), Wirral Archive Services and Bolton Libraries and Museums Service. 

Drawn Together provides access to over 650 drawings, with the oldest dating back to 1889. The exhibition includes illustrated introductions to the different building types and landscape features shown in the collection and virtual visitors can explore the site through a powerful search function and mapping tool which enables users to find drawings by architect, year or street name. 

Katherine Lynch, Director of Heritage at PSVT comments;

“This project has been in the pipeline for several years and we, along with our partners, are very proud to finally be able to share these beautiful drawings with everyone.  It feels very fitting to be launching this online exhibition right now. So many people have been prevented from spending time in areas of outstanding architectural beauty over the last 12 months. Drawn Together is a perfect way to connect with Port Sunlight and the founder’s vision for people and place without leaving the safety of home.

“Whether you’re a student, historian, village resident or just curious about architecture and the evolution of Port Sunlight, we hope Drawn Together will be of interest to a broad range of people. It will be fascinating to see how people interact with these amazing works of art. Our intention is to add to the digital collection as more drawings become available.

For more information about the online exhibition, please visit https://drawntogether.portsunlightvillage.com/

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Published in 97 countries and more than 33 languages, with international sales passing 330 million copies, He is the only author to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction.

During the talk, Lord Archer spoke about how he became one of the youngest Members of Parliament and how, after a poor investment he was left on the brink of bankruptcy.  This led to the start of his literary career, when he sat down to write his first novel ‘Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less’. The debut novel sold to 17 countries within a year and was later televised by the BBC.  ‘Kane and Abel,’ one of Jeffrey’s biggest selling novels became a number one bestseller in hardcover and paperback all over the world.

The latest novel ‘Heads you Win’ has a final twist that it claims will shock even the most ardent readers and is said to be the author’s most ambitious and creative work since ‘Kane and Abel’.

Jeffrey is the latest in a number of high-profile speakers who have recently visited the Birkenhead School which have included TV presenter and broadcaster, Clare Balding, TV presenter and actor, Sir Tony Robinson, World Snooker Champion, John Parrott and leading illustrator, Chris Riddell.  On Tuesday 20^th November, the School is welcoming TV Presenter, Kate Humble, in conjunction with Linghams and tickets are available for this public event through Linghams by calling 0151 342 7290.

The post Jeffrey Archer Reveals Latest Book at The Birkenhead School. appeared first on Wirral Life Magazine.

A new exhibition celebrating Quentin Blake and John Yeoman has opened at the Lady Lever Art Gallery running until March 2019.

Quentin Blake has had a number of extended collaborations with writers such as Roald Dahl, but the longest of all has been with John Yeoman. ‘Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books’ is the first exhibition to celebrate illustrator Blake’s decades-long partnership with the author. It features more than 40 works, including illustrations and books by the two.

It was Yeoman who first persuaded Quentin to try his hand at children’s illustration in 1960. The result – A Drink of Water – sparked their artistic relationship that has lasted for more than half a century, delivering almost 50 projects in that time. Their most recent, All The Year Round, was published by Andersen Press in 2017. The original drawings for these and a further 10 projects Blake and Yeoman have worked on together – from picture books and short novels for children to adaptations of classic folk tales – all feature in the exhibition.

Dave Moffatt, Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts at the Lady Lever, said;

“Quentin Blake and John Yeoman’s work is familiar to many – theirs is a unique and special partnership, beautifully celebrated through the images and publications that make up 50 Years of Children’s Books. Adult visitors will have grown up with Yeoman’s amazing and fantastical tales, illustrated by Quentin Blake in his immediately recognisable style. The worlds they created continue to fire imaginations as the recent re-printing of their first project, A Drink of Water, originally published just over half a century ago shows.”

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