This Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April at World Museum you can build a Labyrinth.

For those born in the 80s you may get excited and think that David Bowie will show up with a host of Jim Henson puppets. Unfortunately this isn’t the case but what you can do is far more exciting.

From 11am – 4pm you can join in the Labyrinth event and, alongside staff and students from John Moores University, build a labyrinth in the museum. In Greek Mythology a labyrinth was to hold the Minotaur, a mythical creature that was half man and half bull. Luckily there won’t be a real mythical monster at the centre of the labyrinth you build.

Later that day between 1-4pm there is a 'Minotaur mazes and masks' workshop. Here you can find out the difference between a maze and a labyrinth (who knew there was one!) and make a Minotaur mask to take home.

Tiger? Pah! Your Minotaur mask will be much scarier!

There's not long left before Age of the Dinosaur closes on 15 April at World Museum. Before it finishes we have one more blog by dino-expert Geoff Tresise. This blog tells us about about the Gallimimus.

A dinosaur's teeth give valuable clues as to its diet and hence its lifestyle.  Predators have pointed biting teeth whereas herbivores have flatter teeth for grinding vegetation. 

However dinosaurs such as Gallimimus from Mongolia and Struthiomimus from North America had no teeth at all.  What did they eat and how did they live?  The fact that their bodies were very like those of ostriches provides a clue.

Gallimimus, the ostrich-like dinosaur seen in 'Age of the Dinosaur', lived in the late Cretaceous period.  It had strong hind-legs and stood about 2 metres tall with a long neck and small head.  It must have been a powerful runner.  Fast-running animals today (like antelopes and cheetahs as well as ostriches) live on grasslands but in the dinosaurs' day there was no grass and so no grasslands. 

Gallimimus lived in a semi-arid landscape with only scattered vegetation. In this environment the Gallimimus diet might include fruit and seeds, insects, lizards and dinosaur eggs.  Even baby dinosaurs may have been on the menu.  If food was scarce, an opportunistic dinosaur would be likely to snap up anything edible.

The Gallimimus stands tall in the exhibtition.

One of World Museum’s most prized objects, a rare Mexican deer skin book more than 800 years old, has been investigated by a team of Italian scientists to reveal its secrets.

As well as being the museum’s treasures it is also considered one of the world’s greatest treasures. The priceless object even took pride of place in the Royal Adademy’s 'AZTECS' exhibition in 2002.

The Codex Fejérvary-Mayer dates back to AD 1200-1521 and is an illustrated, painted book. Codices were written in pictograms, rather than words derived from an alphabet.  Histories, genealogies and tribute economies were recorded in the pages. They served both educational and ritual proposes and at the same time, they were objects of great cultural, literary and artistic value.

The scientists carried out a study of the pigments, dyes and binders used in the making of the Codex to provide insights into how it was created. Due to the age and fragility of the object, the expert team did not actually touch the Codex. Instead, they examined it using specialist equipment that got within millimetres of the book.

Although a fragile object it is in remarkably good condition in comparison to other ones. It is of great international importance and there are only two dozen books of this kind in existence. Of these, only half - among them the Codex Fejérvary-Mayer - are likely to be pre-Cortesian (before AD 1521) making this an exceptional window into the pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican world.

Collecting the data took a team of four scientists an entire week, while the assessment of that data will take months, which in turn will generate many years of interpretation and study.  The project promises to be ground breaking, expanding our understanding of this iconic artifact, and we all look forward to learning more in the coming year.

The Codex was carefully studied in order to reveal it's secrets.

One of the stars of the show in the 'Age of the Dinosaur' exhibition is the Camarasaurus. Curator and dino-expert Geoff Tresise tells us more about this herbivorous dino...

One of the stars of the show, the Camarasaurus

The largest of all dinosaurs were the sauropods, giant plant-eating herbivores.  The commonest North American sauropod was Camarasaurus and this is the form seen in the Age of the Dinosaur exhibition. 

Camarasaurus lived during the late Jurassic period 150 million years ago.  Fossils of adult and juvenile animals are found from the same localities, suggesting that, like elephants today, these dinosaurs lived and travelled in protective family groups.

When sauropod fossils were first found in the 1870s, there was considerable confusion between the bones of three forms: Camarasaurus, Apatosaurus (then known as Brontosaurus) and Diplodocus.  Only when more complete skeletons were found did it become clear that Apatosaurus was the largest and bulkiest, Diplodocus had an exceptionally long neck and tail while Camarasaurus was the smallest of the three. 

Even so, it could reach 20 metres in length and weigh an estimated 20 metric tons.  (By comparison, a large African elephant weighs less than 5 tons.)  It was only by Sauropod standards that Camarasaurus can be considered small!

This Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March 2012 from 11am – 4pm, William Brown Street will come alive with Historical Happenings. The Victorian street will be transformed into a time machine where visitors will be greeted by figures from the past, inspired by Horrible Histories on at the Liverpool Empire.

At World Museum families can get involved with free hands on activities including Saxon helmet making, flint knapping, heraldic shield making, as well as a trail around the medieval streets of Liverpool.  Visitors can watch a medieval falconer or listen to the ancient sounds of the Gold Lyre of Ur, a replica of a 4,500 year old instrument. There will also be a  chance to meet and chat with Ancient Romans, Greeks, Vikings and an English longbowman.

Meanwhile, at the top of William Brown Street, the Walker Art Gallery will be hosting a weekend of activities dedicated to the Tudors. Home to one of the most famous paintings of Henry VIII, the gallery will be Tudor-tastic with mask making and dressing up. There will also be a Tudor painting demonstration to find out how paintings were made 500 years ago, as well as an opportunity to make your own portrait of King Henry VIII.  

We have teamed up with the Empire to offer two families the chance to win a family ticket for the show at 11am on Sunday 11 March. To win simply let us know how many wives Henry VIII had. Send your answers to press@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

Check the website for more information on the fun family activities at Walker Art Gallery and World Museum that weekend.

A little time traveller gets into the spirit of things. (c) Mark McNulty

If you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, look no further than World Museum.

To tie in with the current exhibition Age of the Dinosaur there is a jam-packed weekend of dinosaur themed events, talks and activities.

On Saturday from 11.30am - 4.30pm the whole family can have their picture taken with a dinosaur! Using green screen technology your picture will be superimposed onto a picture of a fearsome dino! (Prints will be priced at £2 or free on production of a ticket bought that day for the Age of the Dinosaur).

And throughout the weekend you can explore dinosaur digestion and find out how the biggest animals ever to walk on land digested their dinners.

Ever asked yourself who’d win in a fight, a T. rex or a Spinosaurus? With a new generation of giant killer dinosaurs being discovered you can weigh up the evidence and work out which of these super predators would have come out on top in a battle of titans.

You can also listen to experts give talks from 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s talk, entitled Digging for Dinosaurs in Hell Creek will be given by Dr Phil Manning from University of Manchester and Sunday’s talk given by Dean Lomax from Doncaster Museum who will talk about Extinct Marine Reptiles.

As you can see, it’ll be dino crazy so why not come along and for a full timetable of what’s happening click here.

Are you ready for a fun-filled dino weekedn? He is!

It’s the 20 December which can only mean one thing, and not that we’re only five days away from Christmas.

No, today marks one month exactly until the deadline for artists to register for the John Moores Painting Prize 2012. This blog is for any artists out there or people who may know artists. Enter before 20 January 2012 and be in with a chance of winning the first prize of £25,000 or four further prizes, each of £2,500.

This is the biggest painting prize in the UK and has played a significant role in some famous artistic careers.  Previous winners have included David Hockney, Peter Doig and Lisa Milroy. Sir Peter Blake was a winner of the Junior section of the Prize in 1961 which he describes as “...a thrilling moment when I was told I’d taken first prize in the Junior section and it spurred me on.” Fifty years after winning the Junior section Sir Peter is now patron of the Prize.

Judges for this year’s competition are Fiona Banner who is from Merseyside, director of the Whitechapel Art Gallery Iwona Blazwick, Spanish born Angela de la Cruz, a former Turner Prize 2010 nominee, Turner Prize 2011 nominee George Shaw and creative director of the BBC, Alan Yentob. 

To enter the Prize or find out more follow the link – go on, it could be the start of something amazing! 
 

Sir Peter Blake won the John Moores Painting Prize junior section in 1961 and continues to paint today.

It’s artists’ books ago-go this weekend in Liverpool.

On Saturday 19 November from 11am – 5pm the foyer space at the Bluecoat will hum with artists selling hand-made books direct to the public at the Artists’ Book Fair. Here visitors can embrace a revival of paper craft and bookbinding. Artists and book art publishers will include Liverpool Art Prize 2009 People’s Prize winner Elizabeth Willow, Craig Atkinson of Café Royale and many others.

Meanwhile on William Brown Street the Walker Art Gallery is displaying The Art Books of Henri Matisse an exhibition of art books by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. On until 15 April 2012 the exhibition also displays a number of artists’ books from the Walker Art Gallery's permanent collection by artists such as Ed Ruscha, Derek Boshier, Gilbert & George, Tom Phillips and Jeff Nuttall.

So not only can you buy an artist book at the Bluecoat but you can learn about them at the Walker. What more could you ask for?!

One of the art books at the Walker is pictured here -'Oscar Christ and the Immaculate Conception', 1970 by Jeff Nuttall © Jeff Nuttall

Our 'Age of the Dinosaur' exhibition has been open since 22 October and dino-excitement is everywhere at World Museum!

Here curator and dino-expert Geoff Tresise talks about one of the smaller stars of the exhibition, the Oviraptor.

In 1929, American scientists found a rich trove of dinosaur bones in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Most were those of the small horned dinosaur Protoceratops. More exciting still was the discovery of nests of dinosaur eggs - the first ever found. There were also a few fossils of an odd-looking dinosaur which had no teeth, and was thought to have fed on dinosaur eggs. 

It was given the name Oviraptor which means "Egg Thief". This seemed proved when an Oviraptor skeleton with a crushed skull was found near a nest of eggs - the would-be thief seemingly trampled to death by the angry parent dinosaur.

However in the 1990s this belief was challenged by two startling new discoveries.  A dinosaur egg was found containing the tiny bones of an unhatched embryo.  Unexpectedly this embryo proved to be that of Oviraptor, not Protoceratops. Then an Oviraptor fossil was found crouched over a nest, seemingly killed while trying to protect its eggs during a sandstorm.  The supposed "egg thief" was in reality the devoted parent.

Visit the 'Age of Dinosaurs' exhibition to see Oviraptor defending its nest here threatened by a giant predator.

An Oviraptor protects its young.

Your starter for ten. What do artists Tracey Emin, Gary Hume and Fiona Banner all have in common?

For those of you who read the papers this weekend you’ll know that they all designed official posters for London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

But they also have links with the Walker Art Gallery’s John Moores Painting Prize. Here’s your bonus question -  how are these artists linked to the prize?

If you know your John Moores Painting Prize history you’ll know that in 2006 Tracey Emin sat on the jury, as did Gary Hume in 2010, and Fiona Banner will sit on the jury panel to judge the winner of John Moores 2012.

How did you get on, did you know the answers?

The John Moores Painting Prize and the Olympic posters also have something else in common. The posters will be showcased across the UK to celebrate artistic excellence in the UK. Similarly the founding principles of the John Moores Painting Prize are to support artists and to bring to Liverpool the best of contemporary painting practice from across the UK.

As you can see the John Moores Painting Prize has links with many artists who have been either on the jury or have won the competition. It has a long and illustrious history so if you want to be part of the prize and submit you work, or just want to read more follow the link and find out more.

Fiona Banner © Mischa Haller

This summer photographic artist Marta Soul captured a couple embracing in the sculpture gallery at the Walker Art Gallery.

The Spanish photographer used two models to stage the photograph for an exhibition going on display in LA at the Kopeikin Gallery.

The exhibition entitled Idilios opens tomorrow (Saturday 29 October) which means that gallery visitors on the other side of the Atlantic will not only enjoy Marta’s work but also see how beautiful the sculpture gallery is at the Walker Art Gallery.

Idilios (Spanish lyrical word for 'romances') shows a series of romantic situations representing the experiences of one woman with different men. These idealised scenes are about the experience of romantic love; the kiss representing immediate satisfaction, a search for pleasure in a symbolic act devoted exclusively to seduce us, as advertising does. What emerges is a reflection about the ephemeral concept of love and happiness.

Marta Soul said: “All the settings for my collection of recent photographs are based on experiencing vivid emotions, so the sculpture gallery at the Walker Art Gallery is ideal for my work.”

Taken at the Walker, this photograph will feature in the 'Idilios' exhibition.

The ‘Godfather’ of British Pop Art, Sir Peter Blake has been busy lately. Not only was he recently announced as the first ever patron of the John Moores Painting Prize he will also be designing the Brit Awards statuette for next years ceremony.

Brit award bosses see Sir Peter as being synonymous with the best of British music, which is why he was chosen to design the prize. Not only did he design the cover for The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band he also designed album covers for Paul Weller and Oasis.

Unfortunately for me I won’t be winning a Brit award for Best British Female next year (although I think I should) so the closest I’ll get to a Sir Peter Blake creation will be the Alphabet display at the Walker Art Gallery. But this is good enough for me, An Alphabet is charming and funny and definitely worth seeing.

 Sir Peter Blake stands with the letter 'P' in the Alphabet display at the Walker Art Gallery.

It seems like only yesterday that it was the summer holidays and already the October half-term is here. So if you fancy being creative this half-term with the kids, the Walker Art Gallery is putting on a week full of activities from 24-29 October in conjunction with the first UK public showing of The Art Books of Henri Matisseexhibition. 

Fun activities include:

A world of words 
24, 27 October
1pm & 2pm
An interactive workshop of poems and movement. Bring art to life through play, imagination and words. (Collect a ticket on the day, ages 3+).

Big top at the Walker 
25, 26 October
12 noon- 4pm
Explore the exhibition, be inspired by the circus images, have fun with members of Circus Zapparelli and learn some circus skills. (ages 5+).

Jazzy prints 
27, 28 October
1pm, 2pm & 3pm
Get hands on and have a go at making your own print in our artist-led session. (Collect a free ticket on the day, ages 7+).

Helen Maher music 
28, 29 October
1.30-3.30pm
Enjoy a performance of French accordion music.

'Le Clown' ('The Clown'), plate I of XX from the illustrated book Jazz, 1947. Bank of America Merrill Lynch Collection. © Succession H. Matisse/DACS 2011

Over at the Walker Art Gallery excitement is mounting for the opening of the new exhibition The Art Books of Henri Matisse opening this Friday 21 October.

The Walker Art Gallery team have been working hard on getting the exhibition ready for the public including volunteer curator Emma Sumners. Emma has been curating a small display of artists’ books going on display in the exhibition to compliment the Matisse artists’ books.

The artists’ books from the Walker Art Gallery's permanent collection going on display include works by Derek Boshier, Gilbert & George, Tom Phillips, Jeff Nuttall and Ed Ruscha.  

Yesterday Emma installed the artists books and as the picture shows it looks great. If you’d like to see the team, including Emma, working hard behind the scenes visit Flickr where you see an album of images. 

Emma Sumner makes the finishing touches to the Artists' Books display case.

Liverpool is well known for its glamorous girls and fashionable fellas so it’s no surprise that the city hosts an annual fashion week.

From Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 October 2011 there will be 40 catwalk shows over five nights at venues across the city centre, with live entertainment from fresh talent every night.

In the weeks leading up to Liverpool Fashion Week many local designers  were busy preparing for the biggest fashion event in the North West including new designer Paris G.

Paris G even did a photo shoot at the Walker Art Gallery a month ago where models wore her creations for a photo shoot. The models had their pictures taken amongst the sculptures in the Sculpture Gallery which created the perfect backdrop for the beautiful Grecian style dresses they wore.

Paris G will show her collection on the opening night of Liverpool Fashion Week where she will be giving out postcards featuring the pictures taken at the Walker.

Paris G's designs are modelled in the Sculpture Gallery at the Walker © Alex Nicholson

If you go to Sudley House, you’re sure of a big surprise. This Saturday 20 August from 11am – 4pm the venue is hosting a teddy bears’ picnic.

So why not bring your favourite teddy bear, a rug and a picnic, and join staff for a day of free teddy bear themed fun.

During the day there will be craft activities including mask making, colouring and playing with Play-Doh. There will also be hourly, ticketed storytelling sessions and Katrina Riozzi from Small Stories Theatre Company will also be encouraging children to become explorers and go on a 'bear hunt' in the grounds.

Bring your teddy bear and join in the fun.

There’s nothing better than snuggling down to watch a film. Normally I do it on a rainy Sunday, with just a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for company. However I am excited to hear that this Friday 5 August from 1 – 3.30pmSense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson will be screened at Sudley House.

Sense and Sensibility was Jane Austen’s first novel and was published 200 years ago this year. The screening of the 1995 adaptation, directed by Ang Lee, will celebrate this anniversary but also the current exhibition at Sudley House, Costume Drama: Fashion from 1790 – 1850.

The exhibition displays examples of fashionable dress from Jane Austen’s era. What better way to watch a screen adaptation of a Jane Austen novel than to be in the company of dresses from her time!

There will be screenings of the film for the duration of the exhibition, so if you can't come on Friday it will screened on, Sunday 13 November 2011 and Friday 2 March 2012 from 1- 3.30pm.

There will also be screenings with subtitles on Sunday 25 September 2011, Friday 13 January 2012 and Friday 20 April 2012 from 1-3.30pm.

Woman’s gold and white figured silk evening dress with a train, dating from 1815-20.

There’s less than week to go before Costume Drama: Fashion from 1790 to 1850 opens at Sudley House on Friday 8 July.

The exhibition displays male and female clothing and accessories that viewers of adaptations such as Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen and Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell may find familiar.

I had the pleasure of seeing the costumes last week before they were taken to Sudley House for the exhibition. They all looked beautiful, but my particular favourite was a yellow silk brocade evening dress, from the early 1840s.

However there are many more beautiful garments, including a man’s Court suit from the 1790s or early 1800s and a woman’s gold and white figured silk evening dress with a train, dating from 1815-20. With such a beautiful collection going on display I’m sure every visitor will have their own favourite.

Exhibition curator Pauline Rushton stands with two dresses from the exhibition.

A company of actors will be bringing the exhibition Art in Revolution: Liverpool 1911 to life at the Walker Art Gallery.

On 2 & 16 July 2011 at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Manchester-based Breathe Out Theatre will be performing Strike Hard for Liberty based on events from the 1911 Liverpool Transport Strike led by activist Tom Mann.

In 1911 throughout the ports and docks of Liverpool, activist Tom Mann and unionist James Sexton organised a strike everyone said they couldn’t win: the odds were against them but they won. Actors Hugo Chandor and Anthony Crank will be performing a historical re-enactment of this time.

It's  a free drop-in event and there's no need to book.

Actors Hugo Chandor and Anthony Crank rehearse for their performances.

Are you an adult on a part-time art course or a member of a community art group? We are inviting you to put your creative talents to the test and create a piece of artwork inspired by the collections at Sudley House, World Museum and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Perhaps you could take inspiration from the internationally renowned Pre-Raphaelite collection at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, or the only art collection of a Victorian merchant in its original domestic setting at Sudley House, or maybe from objects in World Museum’s World Cultures gallery.

A panel of curators, educators and artists will judge. Winning artists and groups will see their work hung in an exhibition at World Museum and receive prizes. The closing date is 1 August 2011, and winners will be announced by the end of September.

For further information, to book a session, or to download your entry form, please go to: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/inspiredby or contact Kenn Taylor on 0151 478 4977.

'The Scapegoat' by Holman Hunt could be one of the many Pre-Raphaelite paintings that inspires you.

There’s less than a week to go before Art in Revolution: Liverpool 1911 opens on Friday 24 June at the Walker Art Gallery, and behind the scenes people are working tirelessly to get the exhibition ready.

I popped over for a sneak peak and although it isn’t finished it already looks great. Only two weeks ago it was an empty gallery but now it's filling up with beautiful paintings, drawings and even textiles.

By the time it’s open to the public there will be work by van Gogh, Matisse, Gauguin and Signac on display, and I’m sure it will look incredible.

To see how the installation of the exhibition has progressed view our pictures on Flickr.

The handling team are working hard to hang all the works of art on the walls.

This week photographic artist Marta Soul captured a couple embracing in the sculpture gallery at the Walker Art Gallery.

The Spanish photographer used two models to stage the photograph for a body of work she is creating for an exhibition in LA at the Kopeikin Gallery.

Soul has staged a series of romantic interludes starring the same woman stealing a kiss with different men in various lush settings – the Walker Art Gallery on this occasion. This series of work is called Idilios which means love affair or romance in Spanish.

It’s not often you see a man in a dinner suit walking around the sculpture gallery but for the purposes of this photo both models had their finery on. Ironically it drew quite a crowd and visitors were taking pictures of the photographer taking her photographs.

Marta Soul said: “All the settings for my collection of recent photographs are based on experiencing vivid emotions, so the sculpture gallery at the Walker Art Gallery is ideal for my work.”

The models pose for the camera

A beautiful and striking sculpture of a huge dandelion by Liverpool-born artist Paul Morrison has gone on display at the Walker Art Gallery.

The sculpture Topocline is painted entirely black and is positioned on the first floor of the Walker Art Gallery, as if it has grown out from beneath the wooden floorboards. Made of aluminium and galvanised steel it stands at nearly 3 metres high (9ft approx) and weighs 500kg (over 78 stone).

The sculpture is typical of the out-of-scale plant forms found in Morrison’s work. He is best known for his monochromatic botanical landscapes that are both familiar and foreign. Familiar because his subjects such as trees and flora are immediately recognisable, and foreign because he can cause a simple dandelion to become threatening due to its size and lack of colour.

Topocline has been gifted by Eric and Jean Cass through the Contemporary Art Society and will be an important addition to the contemporary art collection at the Walker Art Gallery. Curator of British art, Dr. Laura MacCulloch stands next to the towering sculpture

I often find myself deep in thought, hours can go by where all I’ve done is think. I often consider life’s questions, such as where did we come from, shall I buy that dress from Topshop or shall I have chicken or mince for tea?

As you can guess, I probably wouldn’t make a very good philosophy student. However next week the Walker Art Gallery will be hosting a group of post graduate students from the Philosophy Department at the University of Liverpool, each of whom will be giving a talk.

Each talk is based on a different painting in the gallery but all are focused on the issue of realism in art and how ‘reality’ is a concept shaped by aesthetic, philosophical and cultural factors.

On Wednesday 25 May three paintings will be discussed. Starting at 1pm, Landscape with Hermit by Salvator Rosa will be discussed, then at 1.45 Mary Magdalene by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, finishing at 2.30 with Interior of the New Church at Delft by Hendrick Van Vliet

The following day on Thursday 26 May two paintings will be discussed. At 1pm A horse frightened by a lion by George Stubbs will be looked at, followed by Warmond castle in a winter landscape by Jan Abrahamsz at 1.45.

There is no need to book a place on this free talk, so drop by and hear this series of talks.

'A horse frightened by a lion' by George Stubbs, one of the paintings being discussed

Have you ever been worried about taking your little one to a gallery or museum in case they make noise? Well the Prams and pushchairs talk at the Walker Art Gallery could be for you.

Join our curator on Wednesday 25 May at 11am and explore our new gallery British Art 1880 to 1950 and bring your little one with you, because we know children make noise!

Parents and children can enjoy the Walker Art Gallery together.

Places are limited so book your free place by calling 0151 478 4788.

In the past I’ve been accused of being dizzy. I can’t think why, I’ve only walked into a lamppost once and set fire to my sleeve twice. However even the dizziest person can’t miss the giant banner on Dale Street opposite Municipal Buildings. For those of you that haven’t seen it though, the banner is by artist David Jacques who created the work to celebrate author Robert Tressell, who died in Liverpool in 1911.

Jacques also created a piece of art work specifically for the Walker Art Gallery. Although the banner on Dale Street will be there throughout 2011, the piece in the Walker Art Gallery will come off display next Wednesday 25 May.  So if you haven’t seen The Irlam House Bequest yet perhaps you should head to the Walker soon.

Although the work in the Walker is smaller than the banner, it is no less impressive. The installation is inspired by the history of trade union banners and the entrepreneur George Tutil, whose workshop dominated banner production in the nineteenth century.

It’s a beautiful display of work and well worth seeing. So my advice to you is 1) Steer clear of lampposts, 2) Keep sleeves away from naked flames 3) Visit the Walker to see The Irlam House Bequest before it finishes.

A sneaky snippet of 'The Irlam House Bequest'

There are only seven days left before the exhibition A Collector’s Eye: Cranach to Pissarro finishes.

It seems like only last week that Culture Minister Ed Vaizey was giving the opening speech at the private view in February, now there is only a week left before it closes on Saturday 15 May.

If you haven’t seen it yet and want to see works by Rubens, Sisley, Pissarro and Cranach all in the same room head over to the Walker Art Gallery.

There are also opportunities to hear on-gallery talks before it closes. Art historian Julie Robson will be discussing why people collect art on Tuesday 10 May from 1-2pm. On Thursday 12 May from 1-2pm photographer Zoe Richards will be giving advice on how to store your photograph collections for future generations. For both events please collect a free ticket from the Welcome desk or call 0151 478 4788.

Be one of the people who have already enjoyed the work on display in the exhibition

In March this year photographer Lee Karen Stow launched an exhibition of her work at the International Slavery Museum. The exhibition ‘42’ Women of Sierra Leone is a moving and powerful exhibition that explores the life of women in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

The exhibition is on display at the perfect time because 27 April 2011 will be the 50th anniversary of Sierra Leone’s independence after being under British colonial rule. To celebrate this landmark date Soroptimist International will hold an event at the International Slavery Museum on 27 April from 11am – 4pm.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide service organisation for women. Members of Soroptimist International inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls. Since 2007 they have been supporting 'Project SIerra' in Sierra Leone

Booking is recommended but not essential for this free event. To book your place please contact learning@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

This little girl lives in Sierra Leone which has been free from British rule for 50 years

40,000 rubber ducks are 'waddling' around World Museum.

You may have seen that 40,000 blue rubber ducks have waddled their way onto display throughout World Museum. This is part of the annual Claire House Children's Hospice sponsored Duck Race in association with Radio City’s Cash for Kids - you can sponsor a Claire House duck by buying tickets at the museum.

We're celebrating the duck’s visit by putting on a weekend of free events. On Saturday 16 April and Sunday 17 April there are lots of great free activities to take part in.

Duck lovers - get creative and have a go at badge making, colouring, marbling eggs and making your own fluffy ducklings.

You egg heads can take part in our duck themed quiz. This session will also help you to identify the different species of ducks found in and around Merseyside.

Not only will there be rubber ducks there’ll also be real ducks that haven’t even hatched yet! Experts from Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust will be there over the weekend with their display of duck eggs and nest boxes. Children can also play a game to learn how a duckling develops inside an egg and watch a video of hatching ducklings.

So why not head over to World Museum and go quackers!

Our guest blogger Bethan Mackenzie visited the Walker Art Gallery recently to take a look at the newly opened permanent gallery of British art 1880-1950.

Are you a total art beginner and don’t know where to start? Do you have an interest in the subject and want to know more? Well the British Art 1880-1950 permanent exhibition is the place to be. Opened March 25th the new interactive gallery has something for everyone. I am that beginner, and I loved it.

The gallery tells a story how local artist’s adapted their styles in response to the time. The dramatic and eventful period of history which shaped a significant group of British artists are displayed and explained in the Walker Art Gallery. The exhibition features many paintings from Liverpool born artists including, Albert Richards (born 1919) and George Herbert Tyson Smith (born 1883).

Walking around the gallery every painting or sculpture has a brief description on the artist and a more specific explanation of the style. The exhibition covers a whole range of styles, from Art Deco to Cubism, Fauvism to Abstract. There are a number of objects to touch to increase understanding of the display, including canvas which illustrates the difference between thick and thin paint textures.

The gallery also has a large touch screen which enlightens the user of the specific historical events in relation to the artwork produced. It is enjoyably displayed and incredibly easy to use.

My favourite piece in the exhibition was Nightfall, Luxor, painted in 1910 by Sir David Young Cameron.  Technology greatly improved transport in the late 19th century allowing artists like Cameron to visit faraway countries. He spent the winter of 1908 in Egypt. The painting shows the dark silhouette of the ancient Egyptian temples at Luxor. The symmetrical design makes a dramatic landscape. A small figure is painting in the centre, symbolising the vastness of the night sky. Magical.

'Amity' by Fleetwood-Walker one of the paintings on display in the new gallery © The Estate of the late Peggy Fleetwood-Walker (detail)

The big day is approaching, the day when flower sales rocket and card shops are filled to capacity. That’s right it’s Mother’s Day, the one day in the year when we say thanks to our mums for generally being lovely.

But is one day enough perhaps everyday should be Mother’s Day? Especially in developing countries where women face serious health problems including death because of complications due to pregnancy and birth. As well as risking their own health, mothers in countries such as Sierra Leone face losing their children. 

Some of the women photographed by Lee Karen Stow in the exhibition ‘42’ Women of Sierra Leone have stories to tell of the difficulties of motherhood before their child even comes into the world.

For example Rebecca Kamara (pictured below) gave birth to Raymond, her first-born, in a traditional birth attendant's room in a rural village in Sierra Leone. She had no pain relief and the room, with its resident chicken, was lit with candles and a torch. They were lucky, both survived. Follow the link to hear her story

Rebecca had to give birth to her son Raymond with no pain relief and the only light came from a candle and a torch.

Our guest blogger Rosie Marr has some suggestions for ways to treat your mum this Mother's Day.

And remember to send a card! You can even send an e-card from our website, choosing from a number of Mother’s Day themed paintings (and even one of an Egyptian mummy!)

Why not to take your mum to the Maritime Dining Rooms for Mother's Day?

Last week our guest blogger Jack Poland visited the Museum of Liverpool, this week he visited the Walker Art Gallery. Jack heard Canon Jules Gomes on Radio Merseyside's Daybreak talking about the religious art in 'A Collector's Eye: Cranach to Pissarro' and went over to take a look himself.  

Canon Jules Gomes, of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, was at the Walker Art Gallery this week in his first of four theological reflections on the Collector’s Eye: Cranach to Pissarro exhibition. The discussions took place for BBC Radio Merseyside’s Daybreak as we approach Easter, focussing on a single painting each week.

Today, I decided to follow the Canon's lead and witness the paintings for myself. Although the vast collection, which has been provided by owner David J. Lewis, covers a wide array of subjects I decided to follow Canon Gomes’ lead and focus on the religious works.

The first painting I came across, which also happened to be the first to be discussed by Canon Gomes this week, was Luis De Morales’ Ecce Homo or Behold the Man. In it, visitors can see a distinct looking Pontius Pilate revealing a forlorn Christ to an unseen crowd. As a relative novice to such works I was surprised to find that my initial response was of genuine interest and solemnity. The absence of Christ’s crown of thorns and the subsequent pain and humiliation that is expressed in his face is certainly the most striking element of the piece.  

I continued my walk around the exhibition of paintings, which have been built up in David Lewis’ collection for the last 35 years, picking out the religious works. What struck me most was the unique nature of the paintings compared to other more traditional religious images visitors are most likely to be used to.

It is clear that the collector has a keen eye for distinctive works that spans the entire exhibition as well as the religious paintings. As a self confessed new comer to such exhibitions I left with a renewed verve and would recommend all to see these paintings which are on display at the Walker until May 15 2011.

Wayne Clarke and Canon Jules Gomes discuss the religios paintings in A Collector's Eye: Cranach to Pissarro. 
 

On Sunday 13 February 2011, hugely successful cricketing exhibition Beyond the Boundary, will come to an end.

This exhibition of powerful and emotive photographs at the International Slavery Museum explores aspects of cricket that have not been seen before.

Since the exhibition opened in March 2010 the International Slavery Museum has had over 380,000 visitors including cricketing legend Henry Olonga, who gave the Slavery Remembrance Day memorial lecture in Liverpool on 20 August 2010. During the inspirational lecture Olonga spoke about wearing a black armband in a Cricket World Cup in protest against Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe government.

Beyond the Boundary explores the relationship between cricket, culture, class and politics and how it can be seen as a legacy of British imperialism and colonialism and, paradoxically, as a means of resistance against it.

Through photographs featuring cricketers such as Viv Richards, Paul Adams and Basil D’Oliveira, the exhibition celebrates contemporary players who, by playing in the boundary of the cricket pitch, broke the boundaries of racial apartheid. Beyond the Boundary explores the story of enslavement and oppression of people from the African Diaspora globally, and their deep connections with cricket. 

Cricketer Henry Olonga pays a visit to the Beyond the Boundary exhibition

This time last week World Museum was filled with more excitement and activity than usual and I was there to take part in it all.

Children in Need where filming the live regional broadcasts from the atrium at World Museum that were broadcast around the North west.

Some of you in the North West may have watched Terry Wogan and Tess Daly presenting live from London but noticed that every hour presenters Graham Liver and Kate Simms were in World Museum.

The museum was filled with hundreds of people including fundraisers, dancers, drummers and facepainters keeping the ‘Party for Pudsey’ going.

It was a fun filled event that everyone enjoyed, to see pictures fromt the night you can visit World Museum’s Facebok where there is an album of pictures from the night.

Children in Need's 'Party for Pudsey' was filmed in World Museum's atrium

There’s only four days left of October which means only four days left of Black History Month, a national celebration that aims to promote and celebrate Black contributions to British society.

We had a packed programme of events for the whole month and there is still time to take part in some more.

Today at the International Slavery Museum there is an arts and crafts session about the art of Adrinka from 1-4pm, a curator talk highlighting the representation of women in the Museum at 1pm and another talk from collector Leslie Braine Ikomi who will talk about the presence of Black people in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries also at 1pm.

On Saturday 30 October lecturer Ron Noon will be giving a talk at the Merseyside Maritime Museum that looks at links between Liverpool and sugar.

Even if you don’t manage to come along to these events the International Slavery Museum also has exhibitions that may be of interest. Beyond the Boundary explores the relationship between cricket, culture, class and politics. Trafficked highlights the ongoing struggle to combat human trafficking around the world. Home alone: end domestic slavery explores the issue of the exploitation of domestic workers. 

There are only four days left of Black History Month

Stephanie George. Over 200,000 children in Haiti work as 'restaveks' - children sent from their family homes in rural areas to work as domestic workers in the city. © Pete Pattisson

Today, 18 October, is Anti-Slavery Day. Many people may think that slavery is something that is part of history but in fact it’s something that still exists today in many forms.

An estimated 12.3 million people across the world are in slavery today, forced to work for little or no pay and denied their most basic human right of freedom. Many people continue to fight for freedom and Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October offers the perfect opportunity to make a stand and join the campaign for freedom.

To understand more about slavery in all it’s forms visit the International Slavery Museum where it’s currently hosting an exhibition called Home Alone: end domestic slavery in conjunction Anti-Slavery International which tells the story of domestic workers. Home alone, invisible to society and lacking legal protection, domestic workers are among the most exploited and abused workers in the world.

Are you bored of chasing Professor Plum or have you had to buy yourself out of jail one too many times?

If you have maybe you’ll enjoy playing a Banyan Wari Game this Saturday 16 October at the International Slavery Museum as part of the Black History Month programme.

Between 11.30 - 12.30 pm and 1.30 – 2.30pm visitors can play an ancient and modern number, thinking, and strategy game. Through forced migration, enslaved Africans took Wari to the Americas. It is played in the USA and some Caribbean countries especially Antigua, Barbuda and Barbados.

If you want to know more come along and learn how to play Wari. To book your free place please e-mail learning@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or call 0151 478 4543

The Banyan Wari Game workshop is part of the Black History Month programme

The last time I spent any time with five year olds was when I was five myself. From what I remember it's pretty tough - warm milk at break time,  bossy kids beating you to it to get to the wet sand and watercress that wont grow out of the Flora tub. I can only assume it’s the same for the five year olds of today too.

However it was lovely to see a school group of five year olds getting a much needed break from the stresses of everyday life at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

St Andrews C of E primary school came along to take part in the Little Smugglebusters Playday, part of the Seized! The Border and Customs Uncovered events programme.

Last week I arranged for a photographer from the Daily Post and Echo to come along and take a few snaps for the paper. While we were there children took part in customs themed fun, including dressing up and storytelling. We were lucky enough to have two little volunteers willing to have their picture taken and they did a fantastic job of posing for the camera.

If you have a little one who’d make a good little smugglebuster there is another playday on 2 September 2010 from 10.30am – 1.30pm where all little smugglebusters are invited to smugglebust for free.

Two Little Smugglebusters play up for the camera

Lubaina Himid's Jelly Mould on display at the Lady Lever Art Gallery

Last week I had the pleasure of supervising a visit from the Bargain Hunt team who were filming at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Supervising film crews on the whole is an exciting and interesting job, however there are occasional moments of quiet when there is not much to do other than admire the surroundings you're in. There was one such moment last week when Bargain Hunt's star Tim Wannacott was chatting with the director.

I took this opportunity to wander around and have a look at the Jelly Mould on display as part of the city wide trail of Jelly Mould Pavilions by Lubaina Himid.

Jelly Mould Pavilions is an exhibition at Sudley House displaying 30 Victorian jelly moulds, with individual ones at the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Displayed on a plinth with tiny people and trees, the Jelly Mould is intended to look like a memorial that commemorates the Black Diaspora in Liverpool. In a gallery that displays art work from the 18th & 19th century this contemporary installation stood out in a really impressive way.

This just gives a taster of the striking display at Sudley House, and with less than two weeks before the exhibition closes there is only a short time left to see the display for yourself.

When this episode of Bargain Hunt is aired we will post a link to the iplayer online.

Aubrey Williams: Atlantic Fire burst into the Walker Art Gallery back in the grey days of winter. The paintings that worship the sun seem to have done the trick as it finishes this sunny weekend. Make sure you don't miss the last chance to see this gorgeous exhibition of work by an artist whose genius has been unrecognised for too long. 

Laura Davis, arts editor for the Daily Post summed the effect of his work well in her warning: Set your watches or you may be found in the gallery three days later, hypnotised in front of one of the works.

Visitors taking their last chance to view this vibrant exhibition

Ruth Ball stands in front of her display 'Glass, Metal & Fire'including the two recent additions

A few weeks ago I blogged about the installation of a new display of enamelled art by Ruth Ball. She had already donated a beautiful enamelled portrait of the Walker Art Gallery with two more portraits still to be finished.

Now these two additions have taken pride of place in the collection. The two pieces are of John Mayer and William Roscoe both collectors of art or antiquities whose collections have been donated to National Museums Liverpool (NML).

Ruth took inspiration from portraits of both men but her enamel portraits are her interpretation of them, unsurprisingly they are both beautiful and intricate. What I like about them is that in themselves they are pieces worthy of appreciation but at the same time they made me appreciate NML’s collections as these men and their donations are deep in the roots of NML’s history and collections. 

'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

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