National Museums Liverpool launches its Autumn/Winter programme with a very special birthday

Today National Museums Liverpool announces a programme that is sure to brighten up the winter months. From the dazzle and sparkle of Lady Lever Art Gallery’s centenary celebrations, to epic tales of myth and legend at World Museum, and a fascinating look at the unique culture of Liverpool’s football terraces at the Walker Art Gallery, this Autumn/Winter there is lots to look forward to.

National Museums Liverpool Director, Laura Pye, said:

“We’re really excited to present this programme bursting with beauty, passion and pride. It is a very special year for the Lady Lever Art Gallery as we mark 100 years since the gallery opened with an exquisite exhibition, developed in partnership with a legendary local jewellery brand. Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story opens at the Lady Lever this October.

“William Brown Street is, as always, the place for fascinating new exhibitions, with Art of the Terraces opening at the Walker Art Gallery in November and Return of the Gods: Zeus, Athena, Hercules launching at World Museum in February.

“Don’t miss the Freedom Quilt at the International Slavery Museum from October. Produced in partnership with Sophie Hayes Foundation and Liberty Fabrics, the quilt represents powerful messages of strength and unity and reflects our vision for the development of the museum within the Waterfront Transformation Project.

“And as the nights draw in, we’re really looking forward to our next two NML Xtra events. These unique experiences, which reimagine our venues after dark, provide beautifully curated entertainment and quality food and drinks.”

Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story, at Lady Lever Art Gallery from 22 October 2022 to 5 March 2023 makes for a glittering start of the new exhibition season.
An exploration of Boodles’ 200-year story shows how Liverpool has helped shape the company’s growth, from a family jewellery business to purveyors of some of the most stunning jewels in the world. The breath-taking skill, creativity and craftsmanship of the pieces on display resonates with the collections of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary in December 2022.

Combining fashion, football and art, as told from the terraces of the stadiums, Art of the Terraces, which opens at the Walker Art Gallery from 5 November 2022 – 12 March 2023 is the first major exhibition about a movement that defined sports culture of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. A fusion of art, fashion, and popular culture, it explores the work of a generation of contemporary artists and designers who have been influenced by this movement over the last 40 years. Led by National Museums Liverpool, this ground-breaking exhibition is a collaboration with four external partners: Dave Hewitson, creator of the 80sCasuals website and clothing brand; Hamburg-based artist Jens Wagner; illustrator Peter O’Toole, and graphic designer Adam Gill of Grammar Studio, Huddersfield.

Featuring a stunning collection of sculpture and antiquities, Return of the Gods: Zeus, Athena, Hercules at World Museum from 28 April 2023 – 25 February 2024 will immerse visitors into the ancient world,

told through the words of poets and writers, the sounds of mystery cults, rituals and festivals and the public and private worship of gods. Learn of the importance of the gods to ancient Greeks and Romans and how in life and death they sought their advice, favour, healing and fortune.

The second in a series of pop up displays, Khaleb Brooks’ Jupiter’s Song opens at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building from 15 July to 30 October 2022. The international interdisciplinary artist will deliver a powerful intervention, exploring perspectives and experiences inspired by the Earle collection of documents at the International Slavery Museum.

A display of new works by 2020 John Moores Painting Prize winner Kathryn Maple will open at Walker Art Gallery on 11 February 2023, alongside the public call for entries for the 62nd edition of the prize. The display will feature Maple’s largest work to date and will show a combination of drawings and oil paintings that explore her ongoing themes of figures in familiar urban and rural spaces. Prospective entrants for the next John Moores Painting Prize will be able to submit their work for consideration for the prize from 13 February 2023.

On display from 14 October, the International Slavery Museum has joined with Sophie Hayes Foundation and Liberty in a creative collaboration as part of the Freedom Quilt campaign. Bringing together current and past participants and graduates of Sophie Hayes Foundation employability programmes in the traditional craft of quilting, each square will embody their past and future hopes and dreams. Created using Liberty’s Fabrics, every square made by participating women in London, Birmingham and Manchester, is sewn together to form one large quilt.

This Autumn/Winter is your chance to have your very own night at the museum. NML Xtra events are unmissable opportunities to experience museums and galleries like never before once the lights go down. The unique events are curated in partnership with local organisations.

Museum of Liverpool will come to life at night on 21 October, inspired by the city-wide River of Light celebrations, followed by a romantic Valentine’s with a difference at the Walker Art Gallery on 14 February.

Tickets are £20 each, and places are limited. Sign up to the National Museums Liverpool’s What’s On newsletter to keep up to date with the latest information.

September marks the start of House of Memories ten-year anniversary. Created in 2012 by National Museums Liverpool, House of Memories is now the world’s leading museum innovation for the dementia community and has trained 13,500 health and social care professionals, supported 100,000 people living with dementia, and digitally connected with 36,000 users of its My House of Memories app.

This season National Museums Liverpool’s temporary exhibitions are under the Pay What You Think scheme, allowing visitors to decide how much they would like to contribute to the cost of putting on ambitious and memorable exhibitions.

Another way to support National Museums Liverpool’s work is by becoming a member. Members go free to special exhibitions, Planetarium and the Old Dock Tours. Other benefits include priority booking, special events and 15% discount in our shops and cafes. More info.