National Museums Liverpool Blog - Alison

'Queen of the Thornbacks' Rachel Ball stands in World Museum aquarium

If I could be described as anything it certainly wouldn’t have the words ‘Queen of..’ used as a prefix, it would probably be ‘pain in the ..’. However there are people who definitely deserve to be given such a praising pseudonym.

For example on Natural World on BB2 last Wednesday evening biologist Andrea Marshall was given the nickname ‘Queen of the Mantas’. This is deservedly so, as the documentary showed Andrea giving up everything for a life in Mozambique to study the endangered species of Manta Rays (to watch again click on the iplayer)

Although she would probably blush at the thought of it, Andrea reminded me of Rachel Ball, our aquarium curator at World Museum. Although she hasn’t left her life in the North West to save Manta Rays in a far flung part of the world she is making an effort to help conserve Thornback Rays.  The Thornback’s have been decreasing in numbers since the 1980’s so Rachel, her team and volunteer anglers are tagging rays in the name of conservation project RayWatch in the River Mersey and Liverpool Bay in order to track them. With this in mind perhaps Rachel should be dubbed Queen of the Thornbacks?

To get involved in RayWatch you can sponsor a ray, to do so either call 0151 478 4918 or visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/raywatch

Forget the Oscars and the Golden Globes they’re for tanned people with abnormally white teeth. Last night the Wirral Tourism Awards celebrated the real people who make a difference to our days out.

Two members of staff from the Lady Lever Art Gallery were rightly rewarded for the brilliant work they do on a daily basis.

Sarah Lynch, admin assistant won the Unseen Hero Award.  This award is given to staff who show a positive, committed and willing attitude to their organisation and who demonstrate positive communication skills.

Jenni Whiteside, assistant manager in the Lady Lever Art Gallery gift shop was runner up for the Most Supportive Supervisor Award. People nominated for this award demonstrate outstanding contribution to staff development, are a positive role model, and have motivating skills.

Both Jenni and Sarah looked lovely and are certainly a credit to National Museums Liverpool. Well done ladies we’re very proud of you!

Jenni Whiteside and Sarah Lynch looking glamerous at the Wirral Tourism Awards

It's widely accepted by my friends and family that I am not a morning person. The most my brain can cope with before 9.30am is managing to remember my sandwich for lunch, and until this morning I was quite happy with my brain capacity.

However this was before I met the most energetic early-morning people ever. Russell Sargeant and Claude Martin Currie are members of dance company The Jiving Lindy Hoppers who will be performing at the Strictly Come Dancing with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers event on Friday 30 October from 7-11pm at the Maritime Dining Rooms (4th floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum).

I had asked Russell and Claude to have their picture taken this morning by a photographer from the Daily Post & Echo to go into the paper. They were such good sports, getting changed into costume and dancing infront of the anchor all before I’m sure their breakfast had even digested!

Judging from the effort they put into having their picture taken I can be sure that this Friday is sure to be just as exhilarating and fun! What better way to spend a Friday evening than listening to live music, enjoying the wonderful dance of the Lindy Hop, and all in a restaurant with amazing views of the Albert Dock.

To book your tickets for this free event please e-mail bookingsmmm@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or call 0151 478 4441

Claude Martin Currie (left) and Russell Sargeant have their picture taken while they dance the Lindy Hop

Alayna Ellis installs Glass, Metal and Fire, a collection of enamel artwork by artist Ruth Ball

Wednesday mornings are usually a dull affair, the buzz of the previous weekend has worn off and the next chance to sleep in is still a couple of days away.

However this Wednesday proved to be a bit more inspiring when I visited the Walker Art Gallery to see a beautiful new collection being installed ready for its opening tomorrow (22 October, 2009). In the Craft and Design Gallery Alayna Ellis, assistant curator of ceramics and artist Ruth Ball were installing Glass, Metal & Fire.

On until Winter 2010 Glass, Metal & Fire is a collection of enamelled jewellery and decorative objects. Although a small collection the intricate objects are so colourful and ornate they are a joy to look at. What’s most interesting is that rather than displaying the finished project Ruth has created a series of the same object demonstrating the stages of the enamelling process.

Part of the collection is a miniature enamelled painting of the Walker Art Gallery kindly donated by Ruth to the Decorative Arts Collection. Ruth will also be making an additional two enamel minatures inspired by our collections and the history of these collections. The two miniature enamelled portraits will be of Joseph Mayer and William Roscoe both of whom collected art or antiquities and parts of their collections were donated to National Museums Liverpool. 

I will be sure to blog again when these two additions arrive, I'm sure they will only enhance an already gorgeous collection

Founder of MOBO awards, Kanya King reclines on a white sofa © John Ferguson

Tonight thousands of people will be tuned in to watch the MOBO awards. Every year since 1996 singers, rappers and groups have been collecting awards to celebrate the contribution they have made to music. The awards were the first to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution that urban music and its Black origins have made.

This celebration of Black culture music will also continue into October with the start of Black History Month. One of the many activities during the month of activities will be an art workshop tracing the roots of Black music.

Artist Tony Phillips will be hosting some special art workshops tracing and celebrating the history of music of Black origin. Connecting Threads is a two-day workshop, taking place at Merseyside Maritime Museum from 6 – 8pm on 5/6 or 7/8 October, 2009.

Taking inspiration from photographs, illustrations, portraits, musical texts, speeches and newspapers, participants will be encouraged to explore how to interpret events, ideas and music into a visual narrative using collage techniques.

The culmination of these two-day workshops will be a collection of artwork that will form a ‘scrapbook’. The artworks will be used as a decorative backdrop for the Jiving Lindy Hoppers Dance Event at the Maritime Dining Rooms on 30 October 2009.

Suitable for those aged over 16, the Connecting Threads workshop is the perfect opportunity to celebrate black music and culture and get involved with Black History Month, while working with a professional artist to gain some top tips. 

To book your tickets for this free event please e-mail bookingsmmm@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or call 0151 478 4441

It was a depressingly long time ago that I was an A-level student. The only highlight of these two years of study was when the local Bargain Booze was raided causing delightful disruption to the school day, and a feature on Crimewatch!

However its safe to say that students from Sutton Sports College St. Helens, All Saints Catholic High School Kirkby and North Liverpool Academy Liverpool trumped my highlight with their A-level art work being put on display in a special exhibition called Showcase at the Walker Art Gallery.

Students at launch of Showcase A-level art work exhibition

These lucky students from each of these three schools were invited to display their art work by Find Your Talent. This exhibition is part of Find Your Talent, a national programme that aims to give each child and young person access to five hours of culture.

The exhibition had its official launch last week. Here nervous students showed their work much to the enjoyment of proud parents, family, friends and teachers. It was a lovely evening and it was clear that everyone was genuinely impressed and excited by the skill and originality demonstrated by all these talented students. 

On until 31 July, 2009 Showcase is well worth a visit and is a true testament to the talent regional schools can offer. 

To find out more about Find Your Talent please follow the link