Wirral Pop Orchestra & Wirral Big Band Presents: A CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Join us at the gallery for a delightful afternoon of music from two fabulous local bands.
Wirral Big Band and Wirral Pop Orchestra were both started in 2019 by Jan Modelski, an accomplished musician who is passionate about community music, bringing local musicians together.
Wirral Pop Orchestra strays away from the conventional classical classical repertoire exploring the world of Pop, theatre, films and musicals. Wirral Big Band play all things jazz, swing and pop in a Big Band style.
Both bands have enjoyed many successful gigs at a variety of local venues, and we’re delighted to welcome them back to the Williamson for a fabulous festive performance.
The Williamson Café will be open where you can perchance a ‘Festive Mini Afternoon Tea’ and other refreshments.
Born in Birkenhead, Philip Wilson Steer was a pioneer of impressionism in Britain during the late nineteenth century. Studying in Paris in the 1880s, he was exposed to this radical way of painting after seeing works by the likes of Degas and Manet. With his loose approach to painting and depictions of scenes that were seen as indecent for the time, Steer was widely ridiculed on his return to London, but eventually gained acclaim and prestige with the increasing influence of the New English Art Club and his teaching post at the Slade School of Art. Later in his career, Steer was inspired by masters of English landscape painting, such as Constable and Turner, with examples of these works being found in the exhibition.
As well as showcasing the Williamson’s collection of Steer, this exhibition will bring his work into conversation with both his contemporaries and local artists who followed in his footsteps. This will showcase his personal approach to colour and painting, but will also show the limitations of his radicalism, largely through his approach to depicting women.
The Williamson’s collection of works by Steer has long been considered a highlight of our collections, which we are delighted to be able to display a significant number of in this exhibition.
EVENTS:
Curator talks on Albert Richards & Philip Wilson Steer – dates throughout 2025
Info & Booking
March 2025 marked 80 years since the passing of Albert Richards, the youngest official war artist to be killed in action during WWII. The Williamson holds over two hundred of his works, spanning from his days at the Wallasey School of Art to the frontlines of France in 1944. These works show the incredible talent that Richards possessed, and his influences, from surrealism to Art Deco.
As well as displaying works by artists that inspired him and worked alongside him, such as Stanley Spencer and George Jardine, this exhibition will commemorate his life as a soldier, in which he served a key role in the D-Day landings. This incredible personal narrative, mixed with his unique style of painting, makes him one of the biggest “what ifs?” in twentieth century British art.
EVENTS:
Curator talks on Albert Richards & Philip Wilson Steer – dates throughout 2025
Info & Booking
Split Level music with Phil Chisnall and Lynne Strange.
The duo specialise in strong vocal harmony accompanied by Phil’s haunting guitar, performing a broad range of contemporary covers as well as Phil’s own critically acclaimed, self written songs.
They have performed at many local venues and folk clubs, where their unique blend of musical entertainment captivates any audience.
We are looking forward to welcoming Split Level music back to the Williamson.
The Williamson Café will be open for drinks and light bites.
We’re welcoming the ever-popular Annie Long Trio back to the Williamson for another performance.
‘Step into Spring’ as we welcome sultry Wirral jazz Singer Annie Long together with her talented and versatile musicians.
They will be performing a stylish set of swing, blues, bossas and ballads.
The Café will be open for drinks and light bites.
Cafe Information
Deep Dive Directing – The Theatre Directors Tool Bag (Intermediate Directors)
Weekender Workshop – Film Directing with Emotional Impact
LOL Night – Laughing our way to well-being
