Visitors returning to the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum can experience a new exhibition as the building’s doors officially reopen on 9 June.
The gallery was closed in March 2020 due to coronavirus with art enthusiasts encouraged to view art collections online and follow the gallery’s social media channels to stay involved.
When visitors are welcomed back on Wednesday 9 June 2021, a new exhibition, ‘Your Williamson’, will be on display. This has been curated using artwork that was enjoyed by online visitors and includes a whole range of pieces from international artists to those right on our doorsteps in Tranmere. Many of the paintings in this collection are by artists with local connections, including two photo-realist style pieces that honour the late Geoff Yeomans.
The artwork in this new exhibition will be the first gallery residents enter when visiting the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum as there is a new one-way system in place to meet government guidance. As well as the ‘Your Williamson’ exhibition, there are a number of new and favourite collections to enjoy when visiting, more information on these can be found on the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum website or by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To make for an enhanced viewing experience, the building has had improvements made to the floors and walls as well as the installation of a new lighting system.
The gallery will be open from Wednesday to Saturday, 12noon to 5pm, each week from 9 June.
Other facilities available for visitors to enjoy include the Williamson café and the walled outdoor garden, the Green Gallery, as well as the book shop and gallery shop supporting a wide range of local artists and craftspeople. The café, with indoor and outdoor seating available, will be offering a limited menu of hot drinks and cakes for the first month.
Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee at Wirral Council, said: “It will be fantastic to see people enjoying the collections on display at the Williamson once again.
“While the doors had to close, the ability to access art in different ways was important for many people during the pandemic – art offered a way to experience some creativity, some inspiration and some calm. I’d like to thank all of the volunteers that helped make our social media channels a hub for amazing art, collections and crafts over the last year.
“Being able to return and view the artworks of creatives is a great way to celebrate both our local and international artists and craftspeople as well as enjoy the many benefits of art – whether that be sharing it with friends and family, meeting like-minded people or taking inspiration from the pieces on display.”
When visiting, things are going to look a little different. To ensure that the gallery could open safely to the public, a one-way system has been installed around the building and hand sanitising stations are available. Toilets will also be open for visitors to use.
Visitors should note that due to the new layout, some of their favourite artworks may be located in different areas of the building, however Museum staff will be on hand to help. When visiting the gallery, residents are asked to adhere to the safety measures in place to help protect themselves, staff, and other visitors to the gallery.
No booking system will be in place at Williamson Art Gallery & Museum but the team of staff will be monitoring how many people are entering and leaving the building so residents may have to queue before entering at busy times.
To find out more, please visit Williamson Art Gallery & Museum website.
As doors reopen, for residents who don’t quite feel ready to return to the building yet, artworks and information about the gallery can be found on the website and on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).