Skip to main content

Get ready to pull up your leg warmers and scramble your Rubik’s Cubes, as the exciting new exhibition, I Grew Up 80s is coming to The Atkinson! 13 November 2021 – 19 March 2022

You’ll travel through the cultural landscape of 1980’s Britain through the eyes of a child – revisiting the vibrancy, quirkiness and innovation that defined the decade.

Discover over 200 iconic treasures – from BMX to Betamax, Dirty Dancing to Donkey Kong, Thompson Twins to Transformers.

If you grew up in the 80s get ready to exclaim “I remember that!”

The exhibition is curated by Matt Fox and is drawn from his personal collection of 80s memorabilia.

Share your photographs

Did you have a Polaroid Camera, Kodak Ektralite, Canon AE-1?… We want to see your iconic 80s photos; the fashion, the hair, the memories! Tag us on social media or email your photos to info@theatkinson.co.uk. We will display our favourites in the galleries.

Latest News

VIEW ALL
17 April 2025

Sefton Young Artist of the Year 2025

Open for entries!

10 April 2025

How A Painting is Restored – The Miles Barton Portrait

On display in our Between Land and Sea Museum

3 April 2025

Easter at The Atkinson

So much hop'pening across The Atkinson this Easter Half Term!

24 March 2025

Welcome to The Atkinson’s New Website!

We've had a spruce up!

31 January 2025

The Southport Water Carnival Talk

Thank you to volunteer, Sofia, for delivering a brilliant spotlight talk!

23 December 2024

The Reviews Hub: Sleeping Beauty – The Atkinson, Southport

4 December 2024

A Festive Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers

29 October 2024

New Exhibition: Ruth Moilliet - FoFo

Ruth Moilliet’s new exhibition, FOFO: Fear of finding out, opens at The Atkinson this Saturday 26 October.

18 October 2024

New Exhibition: Nu-Shabtis

This week you will start to see these little blue figures pop up around The Atkinson!

17 September 2024

Meet the Cast! Sleeping Beauty Christmas Pantomime

Our Sleeping Beauty Christmas panto stars Blue Peter presenter and TikTok sensation, Joel M!

7 September 2024

New Exhibition - Windrush: Our Story, Our Community

6 September 2024

Winners Announced! – Inspirations: Poetry & Creative Writing Competition

14 August 2024

Flowerbed Transformation Adjacent to The Atkinson

5 August 2024

Unleash Your Inner Artist: Arty Adventurers at The Atkinson!

2 August 2024

The Atkinson turns pink this weekend to stand with those impacted by Southport tragedy

21 June 2024

The King’s Plate

8 June 2024

New exhibition – Bill Tidy: “Is there any news of the iceberg?”

30 May 2024

The Mekon Takeover!

25 May 2024

New Exhibition – The Ties That Bind

20 May 2024

Buzzing with Activity: Celebrating World Bee Day at The Atkinson