The Vitreum is quite a new arts centre and is actually part of Merchant Taylors’ Senior Girls’ School in Crosby. To quote their website
The Vitreum Arts Centre is an exciting resource for the students and school community. Dance, poetry and music performances by outside practitioners as well as our own students at lunchtimes and after school help us to enjoy and experience cultural and creative events on a regular basis.
The gallery showcases the work of local and national artists with an exhibition programme which complements the curriculum. Artists hold workshops and talks to further extend the students’ learning.
It is a really nice space and it’s great to see such an area made available for arts activities. A lot of credit must go to Mick Gill the art director at the school who has been organising an impressive list of exhibitions since the Vitreum opened as part of the new entrance and reception area for the school.
It was after seeing Minako’s blog post about Mike Badger – Reformation Man that Mick was inspired to invite Mike to exhibit here – it’s always good to hear of positive outcomes from our efforts 🙂
Its quite a retrospective with works from the ’80s up to present day. Mike has always enjoyed creating collages so there’s a fair number here including the recent large piece pictured above which is actually 3D. He is also well known for his sculptures made from unwanted or recycled metal – these have been shown in many galleries including the Bluecoat Display Centre recently. You may also have seen them in music videos and on album covers for bands such as Space.
It is an excellent show, there’s a lot to see (and buy). When I was young I hated school but if they’d had places like this maybe it wouldn’t have been quite so bad.
Being a school building you need to make an appointment to visit but it’s just a case of making a phone call and the staff will be happy to show you round.
Artist’s website: http://www.mikebadger.co.uk/
For a lot more information about the venue and the exhibition listen to my podcast interviews with Mike Badger and Mick Gill here
Mike Badger’s Reclaimed World
12 January – 12 February 2010
Address: Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School
Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool L23 5SP
Tel: 0151 932 2414
