Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture, 2022 may be nearly over but that doesn’t mean culture stops in the borough. The new year promises to bring some regular favourites as well as exciting new exhibitions and projects.
Keep an eye on the Culture Knowsley social media channels to stay up to date with all the latest culture news.
Thomas Judge: Image
16 January – 7 April
Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, L32 8XY
Kirkby Gallery presents the work of Liverpool born Thomas Judge, who grew up in Kirkby.
This is the debut solo show of the self-taught artist’s work and presents more than 30 of his paintings that take inspiration from his life, films, nature and society. Connecting all his work is a sense of fantasy, storytelling and a hyper-realist approach to painting.
Thomas Judge has exhibited numerous times as part of Kirkby Gallery’s Open Art exhibition, exhibiting and winning prizes for his work over the last 10 years. However, as this is Judge’s inaugural show, it will be the first opportunity for audiences to fully immerse themselves in a range of his mesmerising paintings.
Kirkby Gallery is open Monday to Friday: 10am – 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm), Saturdays 10am – 1pm (last entry at 12.30pm).
2023 season
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB
Booking for the 2023 season at Shakespeare North Playhouse is now open!
There will be shows and events with local legends, comedy, ground-breaking productions, heritage and theatre tours, and so much more.
With the ‘Pay what you decide’ option, you are invited to pay what you feel the ticket is worth. Tickets start from £3, but then the decision is yours.
Take a look at What’s On
Heart of Glass: Following the Roots
January – April
Halewood Park, Okell Drive, L26 7AG
A brand-new project is coming to Halewood that celebrates the local community’s connection to Halewood Forest and how the forest reflects the history of the area.
The project is part of the legacy of Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture and is being produced with collaborative and social arts agency Heart of Glass.
A series of community workshops run by artist Francis Disley will take place in the lead up to the project, inviting local people to share their stories and memories of Halewood.
little BIG Art Club
Every Saturday between 14 January 2023 – 18th March
10.30am – 12.30pm
Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, L32 8XY
Looking for something to keep your creative children / young artists busy? Kirkby Gallery’s little BIG Art Club is a fabulous opportunity for young people aged 7-14 to try new and exciting techniques, have fun and make new friends.
Central to the course is gaining confidence in drawing and learning new ways of further developing their creativity.
All art materials are included in the price when you book a place for your child on the little BIG Art club 10-week course. The course costs £75 for the 10 weeks. (To be paid in full prior to the course starting, or before the second week if this is the child/young artist’s first try). Booking is essential as there are a limited number of places. For further information please email: greig.campbell@knowsley.gov.uk
The Summer Art Sessions
18 January – 22 March
1pm-3pm
Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, L32 8XY
This new FREE series of art workshops for adults takes inspiration from the gallery’s exhibition themes and subjects. The course focuses on drawing and painting for pleasure – the sessions are as much about enjoying good company as developing creative skills.
The course is inspired by local self-taught artist Irene Sumner who discovered painting after retiring from a long career in nursing. Born in Litherland in 1917, Irene first picked up a paintbrush aged 60 during a course at Newsham Park Adult Centre in 1977 and then carried on painting.
These workshops are being provided to ensure people have access to and enjoyment of creative learning opportunities, something which Irene was extremely passionate about.
Over the 10 weeks, course leader and artist Gill Cowley will explore drawing and sketching, watercolour and acrylic painting.
Art materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring along your own supplies if you have them. We will also be serving free refreshments. To reserve your place, contact either Tina, Vicky or Greig: email galleries@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4936
The course is coordinated by the Friends of Kirkby Gallery & Prescot Museum community group and financially supported by Knowsley Better Together Winter Wellness Grant.
The Throwback Collective
February – May
Huyton Library, Civic Way, Huyton, Liverpool L36 9GD
A new project for young people will launch in February 2023 as part of the legacy of Knowsley’s year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture in 2022.
The Throwback Collective is aimed at 16-25 year olds from Knowsley and across the wider city region who have an interest in arts, culture, music, history or working with communities.
Through the project, young people will have the opportunity to gain new professional skills while working collaboratively with their peers to gain experience in developing and delivering a community arts or cultural project.
The collective will meet twice a month at The Culture Hub in Huyton Library with additional remote sessions to be held online.
The project will last for three months and will result in the group organising and delivering a public event, exhibition, or creative piece of work.
Prescot Elizabethan Fayre
Early Summer 2023*
Prescot Town Centre
Celebrating the rich Elizabethan heritage of Prescot, the Fayre will return in 2023 with traditional activities for all the family to enjoy. Prescot’s Elizabethan story is quite remarkable, and the Fayre has become a highlight in the area’s event calendar, carrying on the tradition of the town’s markets.
Prescot’s long tradition as a market town dates to 1333, when William D’Acre was granted the right to hold a weekly Monday market; rights to a Friday market were granted in 1458 and Prescot became known for its springtime Mug Fair, held in the marketplace on Tuesdays.
* Exact dates will be confirmed and announced soon
Knowsley Feelgood Festival and Flower Show
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August
11am – 5pm
Court Hey Park, Roby Road, L16 3NA
Join us for a weekend of good mood vibes, prize winning flowers, fruit and veg and lots of fun for all the family.
At the Feelgood Festival (Saturday 5th August) enjoy live music performances, tempting food and drink and countless activities to do with the kids including circus skills and fairground rides. Enjoy this all again the following day (Sunday 6 August) at the Flower Show where there’ll be magnificent floral displays with submissions from some of the region’s finest gardeners and growers.
20th Knowsley Open Art Exhibition and Art Auction
24 April – 22 July
Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, L32 8XY
Kirkby Gallery’s biennial Open Art Exhibition returns for its 20th display.
An exhibition that celebrates local talent, it will exhibit 2D work made by artists who live, work, volunteer, or study in Knowsley. To credit the 20th exhibition, there will be 20 prizes given out for the most popular artworks as voted for by the visiting public. There will be 10 cash prizes of £50 for adults and 10 prizes of £20 for young artists. The young artists prizes will be funded by Edge Hill University.
A highlight of the exhibition will be a fundraising Open Art Auction on Wednesday 26 July where exhibited artists can sell their work to the public. Hosted by Adam Partridge (Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic) it will help raise money for the community group Friends of Kirkby Gallery and Prescot Museum.
For more information and to enter the prize download the entry form hereor pick one up at Kirkby Gallery when it reopens at 10am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Knowsley Library Service
Throughout 2023
As well as shelves bursting with great fiction and top titles, Knowsley’s libraries are welcoming and accessible community facilities with a range of events and activities taking place throughout the year.
The libraries host friendly reading-groups open to all; author talks; term-time and school holiday activities for children and families, plus adult groups which provide a chance to meet and socialise with other people including Knit and Natter, Sewing Bees, Silver Club and Tea and Tech to name but a few.
You will find details about all of these groups and activities and more on the Library Service website or on Facebook @knowsleylibraries or Twitter @Knowsleylib.
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