On a recent trip to Southport, I went to the Atkinson Art Gallery with an uncle and we enjoyed a few different exhibitions. On the ground floor are the gift shop and the Bakery cafe as well as access to the library. There is a lift to the right to take you up to the exhibits or you can climb the impressive stairway and check out the architecture. On the way to the lift you will find tourism information – the old tourism booth on Lord Street is now Remedy café.
The first exhibit we went into was from the Victoria and Albert Museum – “Recording Britain” -documenting fragile buildings and areas. According to the gallery program, the exhibit “is the result of a unique documentary project initiated by Sir Kenneth Clark at the start of the Second World War. More than 90 artists were commissioned to make ‘sympathetic records’ of vulnerable buildings, landscapes and lifestyles.” I think it would be interesting to follow through and see how many are still the same.
Another exhibit was “Between Land & Sea: 10,000 Years of Sefton’s Coast.” It was interesting to see the old footage of 100 mile car races from the 1920s and the old shrimper in use on the beach. I remember, as a child, walking out to shipwrecks when the tide was out. This exhibit shows the shipwrecks along the coast around Southport. It was cool to see the history that my uncle and I remember.
The last exhibit we explored was “Discover Ancient Egypt;” a totally different cultural experience.
So next time you are walking down Lord Street, stop in for a look at this wonderful old building. You may be surprised what you find inside. Throughout the year there are many events happening: Laugh Out Loud Festival, Food and Drink Festival, Jazz Festival, Folk Festival and movies in the theatre.
Opening times:
Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm
Museum & Galleries:
Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm Sunday 11am – 4pm
“The Atkinson”:http://www.theatkinson.co.uk/
