A WIRRAL art gallery is to host the launch of a major exhibition tour. 

The New Light Prize exhibition 23/24 will be on view at Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead from September 30 until December 23.

Established in 2010, the New Light charity celebrates and promotes Northern art, supporting both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region’s best awards and opportunities with the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition.

It provides Northern artists with an unparalleled platform to showcase their work and reach new audiences.

The 2023 New Light Prize Exhibition Tour which covers five galleries, visiting four counties and London, begins at the Williamson, with judging taking place just prior to the exhibition’s opening.

A panel of industry experts will shortlist artworks for the £10,000 Valeria Sykes Award, judging Royal Academicians alongside emerging artists.

The panel is comprised of Olivia Heron, curator at the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester; Nan Perell, New York collector and supporter of emerging British artists; Matthew Hall, Director of London gallery Panter & Hall; renowned figurative artist Mark Demsteader and director of New Light, Rebekah Tadd.

Williamson curator Niall Hodson said: "We are delighted to host and launch the New Light Prize Exhibition 2023/24.

"We want to be able to support the creative economy and the viability of artistic careers in the North West and beyond.

"It will provide economic benefit for the artists and opportunities to embrace new talent".

Two free public events will take place during the exhibition’s run as part of Art For All, New Light's education and outreach programme.

  • On Saturday, October 14 from 2-3pm, art historian Sara Riccardi will lead a free tour and talk of the exhibition.
  • On the evening of Friday, November 3 you can join former New Light prize-winning artist Josie Jenkins to use paint and print to create your own beautiful interiors-inspired artwork.

Following the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum, the exhibition will head to London’s Bankside Gallery, The Gallery at Rheged in Penrith, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle and finish at The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate on December 31, 2024.

More information about the exhibition can be found here

New Light is run by a group of people described as 'passionate about the visual arts in the North of England'.

The charity relies entirely on donations and sponsorship for funding. Established in 2010, New Light celebrates and promotes Northern art, supporting both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region’s best awards and opportunities with the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition.

They also run New Light Art for All - an education programme that includes talks, workshops and school projects.

For more details, click here or email info@newlight-art.org.uk