The Wirral Society of Arts (WSA) was founded with a clear vision set out in 1948 by William Charles Penn, a successful professional artist and Vice Principal of Liverpool School of Art. His aim was to keep the arts relevant to contemporary life and to provide opportunities for public exhibition. That spirit of openness, creativity and community still guides us today.
The first WSA exhibition was held at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in 1949. A long association with the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum began the following year and over the decades, Society members have hosted exhibitions, talks, life-drawing sessions, and creative events to bring artists and the local community together. Today the gallery collection holds many works by Penn and other former and current members of the society.
From the 1950s through to the 2020s, the WSA held regular exhibitions at the Williamson. As the region’s arts scene grew, we introduced open exhibitions to welcome artists from beyond our membership—an approach that continues to bring new talent and fresh perspectives into the Society.
We remain committed to encouraging artistic practice at all levels and seeking opportunities and new venues to offer members the chance to exhibit, develop their work, and connect with others who share a passion for art.
PENN’S LETTER
Penn published a letter in the Birkenhead News inviting all with some art training to join and expressing the society’s intentions:
It is hoped that the lectures and discussions may cover a wide range of aspects of the application of art to life and make us all more conscious of the usual aspect of our environment and stimulate efforts to beautify our surroundings...
It is hoped that the Society may consider not only historically but that they explore its function and scope in relation to our own life and times.
The Society hopes to become strong enough to hold public exhibitions from time to time.
(11th September 1948)
Mayer Hall
Without losing its rustic air the village of Bebington gained advantages such as many might envy in convenience and comfort. A very few years since the place had neither gas nor pavements, its younger population went barefooted, and women fetched water from the well as much as two miles distance. If all this has changed and if Bebington is to be held up as a model village the honour is due to Joseph Mayer.
