This exhibition showcases The Atkinson’s fine art collection in the popular 19th-century ‘Salon Hang’ style, when artworks were arranged from floor to ceiling.
In 1875 William Atkinson, a cotton manufacturer from Knaresborough, offered Southport Corporation £6,000 to build an art gallery and library for the town. The architects Waddington & Son of Burnley designed the Atkinson Art Gallery and Library, which officially opened in 1878. William Atkinson eventually moved to Southport and generously donated approximately £40,000 to the town during his lifetime.
The Atkinson’s fine art collection comprises nearly 3,000 works spanning the 17th to the 21st centuries. This special exhibition brings together some of the collection’s most significant pieces alongside rarely seen works that haven’t been on display for many years.
Saturday 21 June 2025. 11am – 3pm.
Free, drop in event.
Join us to celebrate the launch of our new exhibitions with a full day of talks, tours, and craft workshops – fun for all ages!
10am: Art Galleries open
11am – 3pm: Make It: Craft Workshop.
11am – 12pm: Talk – Matt Fox: The Magic of Middle-earth.
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Exhibition Tour – Chila Kumari Burman: I Love You Southport.
2pm – 3pm: Meet the Artist – Katherine Dereli: Dead Industry and Friendly Objects.
4pm: Art Galleries close
Submission deadline: Sun 19 Oct
Winners announced: Mon 27 Oct
We invite anyone over 18 with links to Sefton to respond to artworks featured in our 150th Anniversary Exhibition. Winners receive a prize awarded by The Arts Society and their creative writing will be displayed in the Art Gallery.
More information coming soon.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
For more information, including how we use your personal details, please see our Privacy Policy.