In Conversations & Talks
The GCCF’s 48th Annual Supreme Cat Show & World Cat Congress
Step into Cat-o-Vision at the 2026 GCCF Supreme Cat Show, the UK’s largest competitive cat show. Experience the UK’s most prestigious celebration of pedigree cats as 40 cat breeds compete for the coveted Supreme titles. This spectacular event brings together cat lovers, breeders, and families for an unforgettable celebration of cats. Event highlights include: Watching...
Echoes of the Floating World
The Williamson possesses a small but notable collection of woodblock prints in the Japanese Ukiyo-e style. These were made by some of the most important names in the period, from Hiroshige to Hokusai. Their motifs of flat perspectives, high vantage points, and bold colour distinctions, were a radical influence across European art, including by artists...
The Portrait Paradox
The Portrait Paradox brings together portraits from the Williamson’s collection and Liverpool-based artist Adrian Jeans’ portrait-based sculpture, drawing, photography and video. Jeans says: “Influenced by the Williamson’s fascinating art collection, I have been inspired by an under-acknowledged progressiveness in portraiture. At its best it challenges the norms of the time and The Portrait Paradox will...
Beyond the Brotherhood: The Legacies of the Pre-Raphaelites
Formed in 1848, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, shook the foundations of the British art world with their bold colour palettes, truth to nature, and symbolism. The Williamson collection holds some of the finest examples of works showing this artistic legacy. The exhibition will also showcase the various ways in which Merseyside has been influenced by, and...
Loyalty: An Exhibition of Paintings by Steve des Landes
Steve des Landes has been Artist in Residence at the Williamson since early 2025. This major solo exhibition will include new artwork created in the gallery, alongside more than forty paintings from his recent practice. Together they will present an insight into his bold and singular representations of the human condition. The exhibition will focus...
Open Studios with Steve des Landes
From 2025, Steve des Landes has been Artist in Residence at the Williamson. With a studio in our Art Room, his intention starting the residency was to work on larger-scale paintings. He will be hosting Open Studio sessions every Friday evening, 6 – 8:30pm. Between these hours you can drop into his studio, see what...
Books and Banter
Love books? Love talking about books? Love Books & Banter! Books and Banter is an opportunity to talk about books guided by theme, with no specific book set to read. Discussions around the subject are facilitated but not restricted, and tangents are welcome. The theme of February’s meeting is Marmite – books you love or...
Talking Culture: Public Discussion Group
Talking Culture is a series of friendly discussions where curious people can come together to think, talk, and explore today’s major issues. The first session focuses on public and private space in Liverpool city centre. Here, many buildings and spaces are privately owned, which raises fundamental questions about what – and whom – the city...
FACT Announces Double Agents: Play and Performance in Digital Worlds
FACT and Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts (SODA) are delighted to announce Double Agents: Play and Performance in Digital Worlds, a new series of monthly evening seminars exploring the social, political and cultural impacts of working with advanced digital technologies. Running from January to April 2026, the series brings together artists, curators and...
LOOK Climate Lab 2026
LOOK Climate Lab combines workshops, talks, open meetings and more to explore the deeply personal bonds between communities and green spaces, investigating how creative practices can lead to positive ecological change. Image: Lyla from Bridgewater Youth Club
