Community Post Type: News

Coffee lovers in Liverpool will be able to swap a tube of toothpaste for a free flat white on Tuesday 5^th December when independent coffee shop chain 200 Degrees hosts their annual charity day, Swap Shop.

In both their shop on Whitechapel, and their newest outlet on Bold Street, customers will be able to bring in and donate unused and unopened hygiene products and get a free coffee in return.

Swap Shop is an initiative that 200 Degrees have run for the past two years, but this year each shop team across the UK has chosen to directly support a charity in their locality. With hygiene poverty still a massive issue due to the cost of living crisis, customers will be able have make a difference for people in their community. The Bold Street shop, which only opened on the 11^th November will be joining forces with their counterpart in the Metquarter to collect donations for The Whitechapel Centre.

Bold Street shop manager Tom Rainey said, “We’ve only been open for a few weeks, but we feel it’s important to get involved in supporting our community right away. We care about the customers we serve and the city where we are based, and we want to do what we can to support local charities. By partnering The Whitechapel Centre, we know our efforts will directly impact the lives of people who need our support most.”

200 Degrees managing director Stephen Fern said, “Supporting the local community is one of the core values of 200 Degrees and we adhere to those beliefs all year round, but we know charities struggle particularly at Christmas. We have the ability to make a difference across a large part of the UK now we have 21 shops, and the teams have been eager to donate items to charities they know will reach local people. Giving away free coffees to those who donate is a great way to raise awareness and get those donations flooding in.”

Anyone interested in getting a free coffee on Tuesday 5^th December can donate hygiene items to the Swap Shop initiative in any 200 Degrees shop on the day. Suggested items include: deodorant, shower gel, period products, shampoo, toothpaste & toothbrushes, toilet roll, nappies & baby products, washing powder, makeup, perfume, shaving foam and everyday household cleaning products.

Community arts organisation Heart of Glass, in collaboration with Homotopia, has unveiled a new mural at Prescot train station.

The public artwork, which appears on the footbridge connecting the platforms, is the result of a collaboration between visual artist Emma Colbert, artist/facilitator Leo Soph Welton, young people from The Lee Cooper Foundation, and staff at Northern.

Over a series of workshops, Emma, Leo and their collaborators have experimented with collage, planting, poetry, photography, drawing/painting and placard making and explored their hopes and dreams for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The mural called Queer Eutopia* explores what a more inclusive and welcoming world would look like for everyone, especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and features messages of joy and hope.

Patrick Fox, CEO, Heart of Glass says:

“We believe that art can bring us together and we’re thrilled to unveil this bold colourful new mural, celebrating young voices from the LGBTQIA+ community at Prescot train station. The artists Emma Colbert and Leo Soph Walton have collaborated with some amazing young people from The Lee Cooper Foundation and staff at Northern with the intention of bringing a message of joy and hope for the community.”

Lily Spendlove, CEO/Founder, Lee Cooper Foundation says:

“Working with Heart of Glass for the mural project has been absolutely amazing. Our young people really enjoyed the art and creative workshops, and feel an incredible sense of pride in what they have created. The artists were amazing and the constant support from Rhyannon and the team has been phenomenal. Our young people and our team have developed great relationships with all involved and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”

The mural follows on from two artworks created by the artists and young collaborators for Knowsley Flower Show. These were limited edition designed “Be An Ally” seed cards, which were available for attendees to take away for free and plant at home and a floral sculpture which is now on display at Lee Cooper Foundation.

The project continues in Newton-le-Willows, where Emma will collaborate with young people from Newton Community Centre, on another mural for Newton-le-Willows train station.

Supported by Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme with additional support from Homotopia. Created in collaboration with Northern, Lee Cooper Foundation and Newton Community Centre.

*Queer Eutopia – The title comes from the realistic or attainable concept of a good place; the word ‘utopia’, on the other hand, is a place that does not exist. The project aims to strengthen the local LGBTQIA+ community so that our young people have the support they deserve.

See the Heart of Glass website here

A team of 100 from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will be swapping fire kit for festive attire to take part in next weekend’s milestone 20^th staging of the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash.

This is the 16^th year the organisation has been part of the Liverpool Santa Dash, since first supporting the event back in 2007. This is the largest group they have had taking part.

Five-year-old Alder Hey patient Lincoln, from St Helens, will be guest of honour at the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday 3 December 2023. Ahead of his duties, Santa Dash organiser BTR Liverpool arranged for Lincoln to visit St Helens Community Fire Station to meet the crew.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity is the Official Event Charity Partner for the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2023.

There is still time to fundraise for Alder Hey. Charity places are still available at https://www.alderheycharity.org/events/latest/liverpool-santa-dash/

The very first Liverpool Santa Dash took place in 2004. It was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell, and is now thought to be the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is on Sunday 3 December, 9.30am start at Pier Head Liverpool. The iconic, world-famous waterfront will be transformed into a sea of thousands of red, blue, and mini Santas for the annual event.

More than 5,000 Santas have now signed up. Entries are open until Saturday 2 December – blue places have sold out. Places are now limited for the 1K Mini Dash for youngsters aged 12 and under.

Register at the Santa Dash pop-up shop in St Johns Shopping Centre. The shop is located on the lower level of St Johns Shopping Centre near the Matalan bridge and Post Office.

Opening times are Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, and Sunday between 11am and 4pm. Official BTR Liverpool Santa Dash merchandise is also available from the shop.

Liverpool arts organisations Homotopia and DuoVision today announce a grant of £142,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for The Power of Holly – a new exhibition documenting the life and work of pioneering LGBTQIA+ musician, songwriter and artist Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes To Hollywood.)

The project will explore Johnson’s personal archive and work with Merseyside based LGBTQIA+ sexual health and wellness charity Sahir House, to capture the stories of local LGBTQIA+ people in community workshops and oral history sessions over the next year.

The research will conclude with a unique exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s meteoric rise to global fame, and explore Holly’s amazing story from Liverpool’s punk scene to international stardom. National Museums Liverpool will support the research and development of this landmark exhibition.

In a direct response to the outreach work, Homotopia and DuoVision will commission local artists to creatively contribute to the project and showcase Liverpool’s rich artistic LGBTQIA+ heritage and talent.

Homotopia is the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA+ arts festival, now in its twentieth year. This year’s festival, themed Gods and Monsters, will include a series of oral history workshops for World AIDs Day – also in conjunction with National Museums Liverpool and Sahir House. Between 29 November and 1 December 2023, a series of oral history sessions will tackle topics including living with HIV, Liverpool’s 80s music and culture, and remembering those we have lost through HIV and AIDS. Stories captured during these sessions will feature in the forthcoming exhibition.

Holly Johnson said: “The opportunity to mount this exhibition is actually like winning the National Lottery for me! As a teenager, music and art were my passion – reading Jean Genet, William Burroughs and listening to the music of The Beatles, Marc Bolan, David Bowie and The Velvet Underground – seeing the films of Derek Jarman and Andy Warhol along with his super-charged colour paintings. Pondering over Peter Blake’s Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band artwork as a child led me ultimately to Hollywood and back again. Everything I was ever drawn to, through the lens of Queerness and controversy, I have brought with me into the future we live in now.”

Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music, Culture Liverpool said: “Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s importance in British music should not be underestimated: they changed the world with their music in the 1980s and achieved the rare feat of their first three singles all reaching Number One in the charts.”

Liverpool is renowned as a city of music and Holly Johnson has played a huge part in building our magnificent musical heritage. He could only have come from Liverpool and it is fitting that this exhibition is taking place in his home city.”

James Lawler, Curator at DuoVision said: “We are excited to carry out this project focusing on the life and work of trailblazing singer, musician and artist Holly Johnson. To see a performer be so open and positive about their sexuality was an affirming and influential experience at a time when homophobia was endemic. In the 80’s, Holly was one of the musicians whose unapologetic approach to their own sexuality helped shift mainstream understanding and acceptance.”

Holly’s story spans a career of over 40 years from his Punk days, to global pop stardom, and as a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community, we hope to bring this history to light and celebrate the work and life of one of Liverpool’s brightest stars.”

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are very proud to be supporting this transformative project that will record and preserve the important stories of LGBTQIA+ people and the significant influence Holly Johnson had on Liverpool’s unique musical heritage, and beyond. This grant, made possible by National Lottery players, ensures that the voices and memories of the community can be heard for generations to come.”

Olivia Graham, Marketing & Development Manager at Homotopia said: “Homotopia is proud to be working with DuoVision on presenting this monumental Liverpool LGBTQIA+ icon’s life and influence in an exhibition. This project will be embedded in Liverpool, but have a national and international outlook, and we are thankful to HLF for all their support.

The queer fashion and culture pioneered by Holly in the 80s is of huge relevance now, and we hope that as we look back on LGBTQIA heritage, it gives us an opportunity to look towards the future.”

For further information on the festival, visit www.homotopia.net

Find it, Fix it, Flog It star Gemma Longworth is leading an exciting wreath making event in the historic city centre building, alongside a unique Christmas arts market and a range of family activities.

Bluecoat is delighted to announce a packed programme of winter events guaranteed to have you feeling festive.

On Saturday 2 December, TV personality, upcycler and crafter Gemma Longworth – a regular on TV’s Find it, Fix it, Flog It – is leading a very special Festive Wreath Making Workshop. Beginners and seasoned makers alike can make their own bespoke wreath using fresh foliage, and there’ll be mulled apple juice and minced pies on the day.

Back in September, we were delighted to announce that Blue Room, Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists have collaborated with cosmetics brand LUSH on a festive Knot Wrap. To help celebrate this, our Blue Room artists have designed a garden trial featuring a range of characters from the design. As part of the Party Animals Garden Trail, visitors are invited to pick up a free trail sheet and see how many characters they can spot hidden around the Bluecoat’s secret garden.

The family fun continues with a Family Festive Print Party where little artists can create their own pack of Christmas cards and artworks using print foam. Bluecoat will also be partnering with award winning dance company Movema to bring visitors Makers + Shakers: A Creative Family Disco in December, a session of festive moving, making and shaking. Create Christmas decorations followed by a festive disco led by dance artists from Movema.

There’s plenty on offer for the grown-ups too, whether you want to learn a new skill or simply spend time with friends.

Print your very own wrapping paper, Christmas cards and decorations in a Festive Print Workshop, all under the guidance of a local artist and printmaker.

For a Christmas night out with a difference it’s hard to beat Make A Print Edition with Tim Spooner, a rare opportunity for visitors to spend time with artist Tim Spooner. Participants will learn block printing techniques to make their very own print edition inspired by the works in Tim’s current Bluecoat exhibition A New Kind of Animal. There will also be a chance to meet and hear from Tim, who will share an insight into his work.

Don’t miss the perfect chance to pick up a unique Christmas gift at the Bluecoat Arts Market. The market will feature a selection of prints created by artists in Bluecoat’s very own print studios.

If you’re looking for a Christmas party venue with a difference, Bluecoat makes the perfect location. Choose from an indulgent three course sit-down meal, or enjoy a relaxed evening of festive bites and drinks, all within the striking setting of Bluecoat’s Grade I listed building. For enquiries please contact events@thebluecoat.org.uk

Throughout the Christmas period Bluecoat‘s galleries will be open and visitors can experience Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal. The exhibition features a host of furry animatronic scultpures alongside an impressive body of Spooner’s previous work including collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years.

Full details of all Bluecoat’s Christmas events are below: 

Party Animals Garden Trail
Until Sun 7 Jan
Free

Artists from Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project, invite you to discover a menagerie of festive characters hidden in the Bluecoat’s secret garden. The Party Animals trail celebrates characters from Blue Room’s new knot wrap design commission from ethical cosmetics company, LUSH.

Pick up a free trail sheet from our Children’s Corner and see how many Party Animals you can spot.

Family Festive Print Party
Sat 25 Nov, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Adult & Child Combo Ticket: £14
Additional Child Ticket: £8

This festive season join our family friendly workshop and design, sculpt and print your own pack of Christmas cards and artworks using print foam. You’ll also create your own beautiful mono-printed decorations for your tree.

For ages 4+. Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

All materials included.

Festive Print Workshop
Sat 2 Dec, 11am – 5pm
£70

Learn how to print your very own Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations using linocut whilst listening to festive tunes with a complimentary tea and a mince pie.

Your session will be led by a local artist and printmaker. You’ll learn the basics of linocut, how to create and register a multiple colour design and how to print your design.

Festive Wreath Making with Gemma Longworth
Sat 2 Dec, 11am – 1pm
£55

Get into the festive spirit and join us for a hands-on wreath making workshop where you’ll learn to create your own bespoke wreath using fresh foliage. This workshop, led by TV’s Gemma Longworth, is perfect for both beginners and seasoned crafters.

All materials included. You are welcome to bring sentimental items or additional decorations to make your wreath unique.

Make a Print Edition with Tim Spooner
Thu 7 Dec, 6-9pm
£40

Join artist Tim Spooner in learning Block Printing techniques to make your very own print edition inspired by his current exhibition, A New Kind of Animal at the Bluecoat. You’ll also have the rare opportunity to meet and hear from Tim, who will share an insight into the inspiration behind his works in our galleries.

Bluecoat Arts Market
Sat 9 Dec
Free entry

Come along to the Bluecoat’s first Arts Market. Browse a selection of prints created by artists in our very own print studios, and pick up the perfect Christmas present for the art lover in your life.

Makers + Shakers: A Creative Family Disco
Sun 10 Dec, 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm

Family bundle: £30
Adult and child: £20
Additional child: £8
Babes in arms, free

Bring the whole family for a session of festive moving, making and shaking. Create Christmas decorations with the Bluecoat, and follow Santa’s trail across the globe in a dance session led by artists from Movema.

Makers & Shakers is a joint partnership brought to you by Bluecoat and Movema.

Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal
Until Sun 21 Jan
Free

Tim Spooner brings an exciting new commission to the Bluecoat, in the form of a host of furry, quivering animatronic sculptures. On display alongside this new commission is an impressive body of Spooner’s work, including over 190 works in collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years. This survey of work will serve as a blueprint for the new commission; a set of instructions for ‘a new kind of animal’.

An eco-friendly and unique Liver Bird scarf, designed by Liverpool artist Rebecca Christian.

The designs are created from original watercolour art. As a Liverpool artist, to paint the Liver Birds in watercolour, was a must for Rebecca who is passionate about her home city. The eco-friendly scarf is made from 95% recycled faux silk satin.

See Rebecca’s website to view the Liver Bird scarf and browse her other designs.

Community activist Michelle Charters has become the first Black Woman to lead the International Slavery Museum – the only national museum in the world dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies.

Liverpool-born Michelle will navigate the International Slavery Museum through a groundbreaking £28m transformation, from a gallery space into a prominent museum with the ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today.

Michelle features on the museum’s Black Achievers Wall alongside such greats as Martin Luther King, Kofi Annan and Muhammad Ali, for her activism work, which dates back to 1979. For the last 17 years she has worked tirelessly as CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool. The multi-purpose centre was the vision of the Liverpool Black Sisters, an organisation formed in the 1970s to address the many forms of discrimination experienced by the Black community. She is the Founding Chair of the Merseyside Black History Month Group and first Black woman to be appointed a Trustee of the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres in Liverpool.

Michelle has been an advocate for National Museums Liverpool since she was first introduced to the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery at Maritime Museum by the late Dorothy Kuya in 1994. She is also a member of the RESPECT group, which was established in 2008 leading on from the Liverpool Slavery Remembrance Initiative Steering Group, and for the last five years, she has sat on National Museums Liverpool’s board as a trustee.

Michelle explains: “When I first stepped into what was known then as the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery nearly 30 years ago, I committed to be part of a movement to learn, interpret and share what we could about our ancestors’ pain and suffering.

“Ever since, I have used the anger and hurt that I felt when confronted by shackles and artefacts from Africa that had been stolen or purchased by slave merchants, to ensure that my ancestors, their journey and our opportunity to tell the story was never forgotten.”

Throughout her career spanning more than 40 years, Michelle’s commitment has been to uncover and promote the truth of Black experiences, both historically and in the present, to find a way in which we could all learn, share and participate in a collective fight for justice.

She added: “I am really excited to be joining such a forward-thinking organisation, which is making huge strides towards having the most representative audience and colleague profiles in the UK’s museums sector.

“It is a privilege to be joining such a skilled, professional and loyal team and I’m proud to be the one who will lead the International Slavery Museum as it realises National Museum Liverpool’s ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today.”

Supported by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the transformation of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum, including the redevelopment of the Dr Martin Luther King Jnr building, is an opportunity to co-create welcoming and thought-provoking spaces for education, exhibitions, discussion, and research.

The redevelopment is part of the wider National Museums Liverpool Waterfront Transformation Project, which will link storytelling, heritage, community and hospitality to create a rich visitor experience and will be a catalyst for social and environmental improvements in the area.

Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool said: “Michelle has been connected to NML for many years, but now is a really exciting time for her to be joining us as the Head of the International Slavery Museum. She brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for the museum and shares the vision that we have for its transformation. Michelle has been part of the history of this museum for many years, and we can’t wait for her to be a part of its future”.

Michelle will step down as an NML trustee and the CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre to take up her new role in the new year.

Beer lovers visiting National Museums Liverpool (NML) venues can now sample a brand-new set of craft beers, brewed exclusively for museums and galleries across Merseyside.

National Museums Liverpool and local craft brewers Neptune Brewery have joined together to develop two tempting craft beers, NML x Neptune Pale (4.5%) and NML x Neptune Lager (4.2%), which are only available in National Museums Liverpool venues.

Working in collaboration with museum staff, Neptune has created two delicious beers with National Museums Liverpool’s ethos in mind. Using local produce and working with local businesses, the two beers represent the museums’ commitment to showcasing the best of local produce, whilst promoting sustainable creativity.

NML x Neptune 4.2% ‘Lager’ is a classic, refreshing German pilsner with floral notes leading to a light hop bitterness and dry crisp finish, made for easy drinking. NML x Neptune 4.5% ‘Pale’ has vibrant tropical fruit aromas with intense bursts of blueberry, papaya, mango and passion fruit, which are rounded off with an enhanced grapefruit bitterness.

Julie O’ Grady, Neptune Brewery co-founder and head of sales, said: “Neptune Brewery and National Museums Liverpool share much of the same ethos and commitment to championing creativity and sustainability, and celebrating the best of what our city has to offer. We’re thrilled to have partnered with NML so that visitors, both local and from further afield, can enjoy quality beers brewed up the road by an independent business who are passionate about what we do.”

The partnership between the brewery and the museums first came about during Liverpool’s Eurovision celebrations. A key part the ‘Beer Together’ initiative, which paired up local breweries with those in Ukraine to brew beers championing the best of each country’s independent brewing scene, Neptune worked with NML as part of the museums’ extensive programme of celebratory events during the Eurovision Festival. A special charity beer, Ukrainian Golden Ale, was created especially for Eurovision as part of National Museums Liverpool’s XTRA events.

The creation of the Pale and Lager marks the start of a new official partnership between National Museums Liverpool and Neptune Brewery, set to include further events and exciting opportunities for beer lovers.

Kerry Williams, head of creative partnerships and strategic development for National Museums Liverpool, said: “Working with the Neptune Brewery team and their team of expert brewers, we are excited for people to come and enjoy their new creation. Keep an eye out for some special one-off events as we work together with Neptune to bring something for beer lovers into our venues.”

National Museums Liverpool beers brewed by Neptune Brewery will be available at NML events, and on sale in the Maritime Museum and Museum of Liverpool cafés, with plans to extend sales across all venues in 2024. Visitors can also purchase cans to enjoy at home.

For more information on Neptune Brewery, visit: www.neptunebrewery.com.

A firm Liverpool family favourite is back for Christmas with the return of Blacker’s Giant Santa at the Museum of Liverpool from 7 November.

Giant Santa, who towered over shoppers in Blackler’s department store each winter from 1957 until 1988, first went on display in the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium in 2016 and has returned for Christmas almost every year since. His super-sized arrival ushers in seasonal festivities across National Museums Liverpool’s venues.

Staying at Museum of Liverpool the popular waterfront museum recently won a Kids in Museums national Family Friendly Museum award, making it the most wonderful time of the year to call in and check out the smash-hit exhibition Happiness!, which explores the life of Liverpool icon, Sir Ken Dodd. For Doddy, famously busy all year round, Christmas was a particularly special time with pantomimes and his legendary marathon new year shows.

At World Museum, bookings are open for a tradition spanning almost 200 years, as the Royal Institute’s Christmas Lectures come to Liverpool’s World Museum for the first time ever. Inspiring children and adults with mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, the lectures will be livestreamed to the museum, as one of the only 16 livestream partners. Over three gripping presentations – on 12, 14 and 16 December – from robots to gaming and more, Professor Mike Wooldridge will explain Artificial Intelligence (AI) – how it works and affects us all.

Sudley House is hosting a traditional Victorian Christmas with all the trimmings on 2 and 3 December. Spend quality time with friends and family enjoying carols, festive crafts and cosy storytelling in the beautiful setting of this Victorian merchant’s home.

While you’re enjoying the exhibitions, collections and festive fare at National Museums Liverpool’s venues why not tick some names off your shopping list? There are gifts for the whole family with a wide range of presents across fashion, culture, books, football and more. Browse the online shop for gift ideas here.

You could also give the gift of a National Museums Liverpool Membership and give a loved one a whole year of incredible free experiences, new discoveries and discounts. Find out more here.

More Christmas highlights across National Museums Liverpool available here