Wirral Society of Arts 75th Anniversary Members’ Exhibition, 2024
It’s full circle, back to Bebington for WSA’s special 75th anniversary Annual Members’ Exhibition at a new location, Mayer Hall.
Wirral Society of Arts was born in 1948 and the brainchild of Tom Howard and John Marshall. With a renewed post-war passion for the arts, they approached the Lady Lever’s curator Sidney Davison with their idea to set up an art society that would encompass lectures, discussions and exhibitions. Davison voiced the idea to Will C Penn, then Vice Principal of Liverpool School of Art, who was as equally invested in the idea.
Penn published a letter in the Birkenhead News inviting all with some art training to join and expressing the society’s intentions: It is hoped that the lectures and discussions may cover a wide range of aspects of the application of art to life and make us all more conscious of the usual aspect of our environment and stimulate efforts to beautify our surroundings… It is hoped that the Society may consider not only historically but that they explore its function and scope in relation to our own life and times. The Society hopes to become strong enough to hold public exhibitions from time to time. (11th September 1948).
The Lady Lever Art Gallery was the home of the Society’s first exhibition in 1949. It then moved to the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum until this year. A change of artistic direction at the Williamson means it cannot currently host this annual event. So, Mayer Hall, a former art gallery with its high ceilings, skylights, original features and space is the perfect alternative fit.
The hall has an impressive artistic history dating back to the late 1860s. Philanthropist and lover of arts and antiquities, Joseph Mayer opened Mayer Park and its neighbouring free library for the community. A decade later he added Mayer Hall which became a museum, art gallery and community space. A man of incredible generosity, he would surely be happy to see art hanging on its walls again.
Securing funding (from The Ulrike Michal Foundation for the Arts), for a specialised hanging system has been WSA’s first successful bid to bring Mayer Hall back to a contemporary version of the gallery it was a century and a half ago.
WSA Members exhibition dates: 20th September to 13th October.
Opening times:
- Wednesday, Friday, Sat and Sundays, 10-5pm, Thursdays 1-7.30pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesdays.
Website: https://www.wirralsocietyarts.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wirralsocietyofarts/?locale=en_GB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wirralsocietyarts/
Email enquiries: info@wirralsocietyarts.org