Event type: Talk

Shift Liverpool Open Meeting

Tuesday 3 February / 2.30pm – 4pm / Open Eye Gallery / RSVP
Spaces are limited. If you’re unable to attend, please return your ticket at Eventbrite.
Shift Liverpool is the sustainability network for arts and cultural organisations in the Liverpool City Region. They are working together to ensure culture plays its part in facing the urgent challenges of climate breakdown, driving down the sector’s carbon footprint, moving away from environmentally damaging ways of working and using creativity to inspire the city to take action against climate change.

Shift Liverpool February meeting will be open to the public as part of the Climate Lab. As well as updates from members there will be a presentation from artist Hwa Young Jung about their Flow.Walk.Drag project and the walking tours that happened In Liverpool and Margate last year, led by drag artists as microorganisms (cholera & E. coli), a transdisciplinary artistic response to the climate emergency. 

Anyone interested in how arts and culture organisations are reducing their carbon emissions is welcome to attend. 

This event is part of LOOK Climate Lab 2026, a biennial programme by Open Eye Gallery.

 
We encourage you to use public transport or carpooling when getting to the events.

Open Eye Gallery is a short walk from the Liverpool ONE shopping centre and the Albert Dock.

By train. We are 20 minutes walk from Lime Street station. James Street station, served by Wirral Line trains, is a two minute walk. Moorfields station, served by the Northern and Wirral Lines, is a five minute walk. Visit Merseytravel for details of local train services.

By bus. The nearest bus and coach station is at Liverpool ONE, served by National Express coaches. Merseytravel has details of  local bus services.

By ferry. The gallery is two minutes walk from the Pier Head Ferry Terminal, from which Mersey Ferries run regular services to the Wirral.

By bicycle. There are bicycle bays close to the gallery.

If you wish to offset the carbon footprint of your travel, you can do it with Carbon Neutral Britain, Carbon Footprint, Forest Carbon, My Carbon Plan or any other project that you trust.

Nawal Gebreel: My Collection of Afghan Textiles

Nawal Gebreel, a textile designer and member of Bluecoat’s Creative Community, will share her passion for embroidered textiles and her remarkable journey in creating a collection inspired by Afghanistan.

She will take us through her experiences visiting the Afghan border, introducing us to the incredible people she met and the stories behind their craftsmanship. Afghanistan is a truly unique country, home to diverse ethnic groups who have preserved their culture through textiles and traditional crafts. These communities find deep meaning in their traditions, expressing their connection to nature and everyday life through intricate designs – especially in carpets and embroidery.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to see and handle pieces from Nawal’s collection, gaining a tactile sense of these extraordinary textiles and artefacts.

£10 (booking required)

John Moores Painting Prize: Meet the Curator

In its 68th year, the biennial John Moores Painting Prize continues to capture the best of British painting. The 71 paintings on display were selected anonymously from over 3000 submissions, bringing together work by established and emerging artists to reflect the vibrancy and continued relevance of painting today.

Join Charlotte Keenan McDonald, Head of the Walker Art Gallery and chair of the John Moores Painting Prize jury, to hear behind-the-scenes insights into the selection process, learn more about selected works from this year’s Prize and explore how this year’s cohort reflect the evolving landscape of contemporary British painting.

Folding stools are available on request for visitors who are unable to stand for an extended period of time. The gallery is wheelchair accessible with a lift from ground to first floor galleries. We recommend this event for ages 16+ but everyone is welcome.

Tickets cost £7

Craig Revel Horwood: Revelations – Songs Boys Don’t Sing

Craig Revel Horwood 

Revelations – Songs Boys Don’t Sing 

Craig Revel Horwood is a national treasure. The longest-serving judge on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing is the master of the Glitter Ball. After starting as a dancer, he worked on the nation’s biggest musicals and became a choreographer, director, and best-selling author. Craig’s also a remarkable singer, and following the release of his debut solo album, Revelations, he’s on the road with an evening of music, dance, drama, and song. Expect a Fab-U-Lous night of big songs, tall tales, and glamour – and, yes, there’ll be tales from the Strictly Come Dancing set. 

Meet & Greet: £85 – Best seats, goody bag, pre-show meet & greet with photo and autograph  

VIP Tickets: £50 – Next best seats and goody bag  

Standard Tickets:£34 

Mark Smith: Antiques Expert on the Road

For Valour: The Story of the Victoria Cross

Mark Smith, renowned for his expertise in medals and militaria, has been a celebrated figure on BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow since 2014. Recognised as one of the show’s most popular experts, Mark captivates audiences with his deep knowledge and engaging storytelling.

Beyond Antiques Roadshow, Mark has featured on numerous television programs, including Deep Wreck Mysteries, Who Do You Think You Are? Bargain Hunt, The One Show, and BBC Breakfast, making him a familiar face to millions of viewers.

Mark’s expertise extends to radio, where he is a regular guest on the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), and podcasts for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, sharing his insights with military history enthusiasts worldwide.

A Leading Authority on the Victoria Cross

Acknowledged as a global expert on the Victoria Cross, Mark has authored five books on the Great War and contributed to numerous publications and magazines. As a member of both the Western Front Association and the Orders and Medals Research Society, he continues to shape the field of military history and medal research.

His live presentation, For Valour: The Story of the Victoria Cross, offers audiences a chance to delve into the origins of this prestigious award, dispel myths, and hear extraordinary stories of the brave men who have received Britain’s highest military honour.

Collector, Dealer, and Passionate Historian

Mark’s passion for military history began in 1983 when he started dealing in militaria in Islington, London. Over the years, he has built an extensive private collection, specialising not only in the Victoria Cross but also in flying clothing and RAF logbooks.

Notable moments in his Antiques Roadshow career include valuing an exceptional collection of World War One German memorabilia at Walthamstow Town Hall and assessing a toy panda mascot that flew on the legendary 1943 ‘Dambusters Raid.’

Mark’s unrivalled expertise, passion, and captivating storytelling have solidified his reputation as a trusted authority in the world of medals and militaria, inspiring collectors and history lovers alike.

Tickets

Standard Tickets: £27.50

Meet & Greet: £50. Takes place at 6pm, tickets holders to arrive at 5.45pm. Includes pre-show Meet & Greet and expert comments on personal medals etc.

 

Arts for Social Change Showcase

An evening of quick-fire presentations by people passionate about using the arts for social change

About this event:

Collective Encounters is delighted to be programming another fascinating night of presentations exploring participatory arts projects, practice and passions.

Join us for an evening of quick-fire presentations by people passionate about using the arts for social change. The showcase is a great way to grow your ideas, share and celebrate your achievements, rage about something or highlight something that needs to change. Presenters will show up to 15 slides about their theme, project, issue, community, infatuation and/or themselves. Each presentation will last no more than 5 minutes.

This event is a great opportunity to connect, network, get feedback and generate new ideas. Presenters can be theatre-makers, producers, participants, funders, community groups, charities…anyone with a curiosity or passion for arts & social change.

There will be up to ten presentations, with opportunities to ask questions of the contributors throughout.

Expressions of Interest: If you are interested in presenting at this event please fill out the expression of interest form available soon.

Ticket Cost: £5.00

There is a small number of bursary places available for those with limited funds, please email info@collective-encounters.org.uk

Access: This event will use live transcription. If you require BSL interpretation, please get in touch no later than two weeks before the event. If you have any other access requirements please email info@collective-encounters.org.uk

 

John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right

He’s a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon – aka Johnny Rotten – changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution.

The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good. To coincide with the publication of his new book, the brilliant, funny and insightful I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, he is touring the UK. Lydon will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour. Lydon will be sharing his thoughts with audiences.

He Could Be Wrong. He Could Be Right.

A Weaving Marvel: the Ramesses Girdle

A talk by Ashley Cooke, Head of World Museum.

This exceptional example of ancient Egyptian royal clothing in the collections of World Museum (National Museums Liverpool) has been described in various ways since it first went on display in 1855—sometimes as a scarf, a belt, or a girdle. Tomb and temple paintings suggest it was worn wrapped around the chest and fastened at the waist. Woven in bright colours and decorated with rows of ankh hieroglyphs meaning “life,” this remarkable textile is a masterpiece of ancient linen craftsmanship. This presentation will explore its provenance, interpretation, and manufacture, shedding new light on this rare archaeological survivor.

Ashley Cooke is Head of World Museum, home to one of the UK’s largest and most significant collections of Egyptian antiquities. He has worked with Egyptian collections in museums for over twenty years and has over ten years of fieldwork experience at five archaeological sites across Egypt. He earned his PhD in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool in 2006, the same year he was appointed Curator of Egyptian and Near Eastern Antiquities at World Museum.

Linny Venables: Sweet Factory

Artist Linny Venables talks about the making of Sweet Factory; a vibrant and playful exhibition celebrating the rich, shared histories of sweet making, working-class food traditions, and seaside culture.

Linny shares the inspiration, playful research, and hands-on processes behind the work, offering a glimpse into her socially engaged practice.

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Visit the Sweet Factory exhibition: Mon – Sat. 10am – 4pm. 18 Oct 2025 – 7 Mar 2026.

Sweet Factory is curated by Linny Venables and supported by Arts Council England and At The Library.

The History of Art

Join Dr Anna Maddison to learn the history of Art using examples from The Atkinson’s collection.

3 Sessions: Thursday 11/18/25 September. 11am – 1pm.

The Atkinson’s collection has works of art dating from the 17th to the 21st centuries and is currently concentrating on collecting more contemporary art.

Highlights of the 20th century collection include several paintings by Walter Sickert and fellow members of the Camden Town School such as Charles Ginner as well as paintings by Scottish Colourists, namely Arthur Melville, JD Fergusson and Samuel Peploe. Key works from World War I include a painting of a mounted trooper by Alfred Munnings and a battle scarred landscape by Paul Nash. The collection of 20th century British sculpture is small but very high quality and includes good examples by Henry Moore, Elisabeth Frink and Jacob Epstein.

These sessions will also be looking at a number of works currently on display as part of The Atkinson’s 150th Anniversary Exhibition.