Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

About

Located outside the centre of Birkenhead, the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum stands at the core of the Wirral Museums Service, offering fourteen gallery spaces which regularly host changing exhibitions of national and local significance. The Williamson also houses one of the best art collections in the North West of England in its beautifully proportioned galleries. Paintings of all sorts, especially British watercolours and work by local artists, join highlights of the decorative arts collections like Liverpool Porcelain and Birkenhead's own contribution to the Arts & Crafts Movement, the Della Robbia Pottery.

The Maritime Gallery features ship models from the area, focusing on Cammell Laird shipbuilders and their contribution to marine history, the Mersey Ferries and the variety of vessels that used the River Mersey when it was at its busiest.

The well stocked Williamson Gift Shop features the work of local craftspeople, including potters, textile artists, jewellers and photographers reflecting the creative skills of the artisans of Wirral and Merseyside.

The Williamson also offers independent book and art supplies shops and a Community Gallery. There is a annual exhibition programme showing changing displays as well as longer exhibitions used in our education programme for schools.

Independent workshop leaders regularly run classes in mixed media, jewellery, drawing, painting and life drawing through the dedicated art room or within the galleries. The gallery has drop in workshops for families twice monthly and a weekly under five's session in the cafe area with our dedicated artist in residence for little people.

The Williamson Café is independently run and offers food to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, with hearty soups and locally produced bread with hot meals on offer for evening events. The Wirral Museum Service had been developing two Thursdays evenings a month at the gallery where different events are held, such as an informal book group, young art group and meeting for local groups such as the Wirral Embroiderers Guild and the Western Front organisations.

The newly created courtyard garden funded through generous donations to the Williamson and Priory Friends in 2017-2018 creates a quiet haven at the heart of the gallery, also great space for wedding photos or a small reception area for business events.

Accessibility - Ramped access at front of building and all galleries on one level; accessible toilet available.

Venue Hire

The Williamson is also used for a wide variety of meetings, events and concerts, most particularly using the excellent Steinway concert grand piano and has become an affordable and unusual venue for weddings in the last couple of years.

Some activities in both museums (Williamson Art Gallery and Birkenhead Priory) are supported by the charity the Williamson & Priory friends organisation, including the private views to exhibitions, purchases for the collections, costs of conservation, Summer Serenades - the popular Sunday afternoon concerts from May to September. The Williamson Talks are monthly meetings relating to the exhibitions with invited speakers.

Admission FREE

Open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Closed Monday & Tuesdays, including Bank Holidays

Further details 0151 666 3537, williamsonartgallery@wirral.gov.uk.

Keep up to date with the Williamson's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/williamsonartgallery