Art on Merseyside celebrated on campus

LJMU hosted charity Arts Friends Merseyside on campus this week in celebration of the organisation’s continued dedication to the arts in the region and its support of local galleries, museums and other art institutions.

The group, chaired by Peter Woods, met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power and were given a private viewing of some of the university’s expanding art collection, including the Goose Girl painting by artist Don McKinlay who studied and worked for the Liverpool College of Art, which later became part of LJMU. The painting has recently been taken on long-term loan from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital as part of an ongoing collaboration between the university and the hospital trust which has seen students curating works that were installed at the new hospital building which opened in 2023.

Colin Simpson, former Curator of the Williamson Art Gallery, also shared insights into the university’s art collection, which is looked after by LJMU Special Collections and Archives who curate and care for a range of historical, rare, and unique archival and print materials, including paintings and works of art, ensuring that students, staff and the wider public can learn about, research, enjoy and take inspiration from these special, cultural assets.

One particular set of works held by the university is the John Entwistle Collection, donated to the university by honorary fellow John Entwistle OBE, comprised of paintings from Liverpool artists, many of whom taught at the Liverpool College of Art. John was also at the event and spoke about his love of art collecting.

It’s very important that Liverpool’s rich heritage of art remains accessible to the public and its through groups like Arts Friends Merseyside that our city can continue to call itself a true city of culture.

It was wonderful to also spend time enjoying some of the collections held here at the university, highlighting the role that we play as an institution in protecting and caring for prestigious works, while the next generation of artists are learning their craft with the Liverpool School of Art and Design.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Mark Power - himself an art graduate

LJMU’s prestigious School of Art and Design can be traced back to the Mechanics' School of Art as it was first known in 1825, later becoming the Liverpool College of Art and now the Liverpool School of Art and Design, making it the oldest art school in England outside of London, with past students including John Lennon.