Solo show for People's prize winner at this years Sefton Open

TAKE time out to see Gillian Hughes (aka. 'Liverpool Mermaid') exhibit:- 'Sinking the Ship in Liverpool Bay - Mermaid's Revenge,' was voted The People's Prize at the 2022 Sefton Open at The Atkinson in Southport earning her a solo showing at The ArtHouse later in the month.

The Sefton Open is a long standing annual exhibition that celebrates the breadth of creativity and artistic talent across Sefton. Each year the call for artists goes out to all practitioners who live, work or were educated in Sefton and this year's exhibition includes:- ceramics, sculpture, painting, textiles and photography.

For the last 2 years the event was reduced to an online presence only, but for 2022 The Atkinson has reopened its doors and, seen:- 'in the flesh,' the results are stunning.

The Atkinson's longstanding partner, Southport Palette Club, always has the unenviable task of whittling down the large amount of submissions. Formed in 1921 to champion the work of local artists, 2022 is the Palette Club's 96th annual exhibition.

Gillian is a local coastal textile artist who draws her inspiration from the myths and legends surrounding Liverpool Bay, including Southport beach.

Liverpool Bay has witnessed some of the richest human histories from the mass exodus of people leaving for new lives, as viewed from the dockland's Ancient Wishing Gate, to more industrial times of increased wealth.

Pundits unanimously agree that Liverpool Bay is 1 of the most fascinating places in the world and has produced talent in its people and power in its seas.

Gillian unique artwork tries to capture this sense of historical intrigue by tangibly incorporating the dynamic elements of sea, wind and air. Using mainly sustainable items picked up from the beach on her daily walks and repurposed through the eyes of a Mermaid, Gillian's art reflects the magic, myths and legends that provide the sheer thrill of this unique coastline and its timelessness.

'Sinking the Ship in Liverpool Bay - Mermaid's Revenge,' was 1 of 3 assemblies that Gillian submitted. A dark piece to reflect the emotion of those on board a sinking ship, Gillian explains its origins:- "Sailors came from around the world to admire the beauty and charms of the Liverpool Mermaid. A local sailor from New Brighton was said to have fallen in love with her beauty and dreamt of marrying her. The sailor promised to give the Liverpool Mermaid the world and gave her his compass and a green ribbon on the promise that she agreed they would wed the next day. However, the sailor foolishly broke his word and after waiting and growing impatient for him to arrive, the Liverpool Mermaid sank the entire ship drowning all the men on board except the sailor who washed ashore to tell the tale."

The moral, as Gillian reminds viewers to the exhibition is:- "don't cross a scouse girl and promise what you are not prepared to give them."

Gillian's artworks can be viewed at:- The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, until Saturday, 21 May 2022 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm). Her follow up solo show will be at:- The ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport, on 17 May to 28 May (Tuesday to Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday, 11am to 4pn.

Bringing more film choices to more Big Screens across the UK

VUE Entertainment and the British Film Institute (BFI) have joined forces to bring diverse and creative films from the BFI to even more screens across the UK.

Starting this May, the BFI Presents programme at Vue, will screen a series of films, carefully curated by the BFI, from newly released and award-winning British and international film through to hidden gems and restored classics. The titles are all hand-picked from BFI seasons by the team led by Stuart Brown, BFI Head of Programme and Acquisitions and Julie Pearce, BFI Head of Distribution and Programme Operations.

The programme kicks off on 18 May with special preview screenings of Benediction, a biographical drama about Siegfried Sassoon written and directed by Terence Davies and starring Jack Lowden as the British poet. Benediction will be shown across all 88 of Vue's UK cinemas 2 days ahead of its general UK release on 20 May.

Further films from the programme will be announced in due course and will include UK film Brian and Charles, a warm-hearted comedy from award-winning British Director Jim Archer, on 28 June ahead of its release in July.

Both Benediction and Brian and Charles are backed by the BFI with National Lottery funding.

The programme will also include additional curation and collaborations with talent from within the film industry to be announced at a later date.

The BFI is a cultural charity and the UK's lead organisation for film and the moving image. The BFI's mission is to use film to help connect audiences, understand each other better and deepen their knowledge and understanding. The BFI shares the stories of yesterday, searches for the stories of today, and shapes the stories of tomorrow.

Tim Richards, founder and CEO of Vue International and Chair of the BFI said:- "We are delighted to partner with the BFI to provide a wide platform for high quality British and International film, providing an even greater choice for our customers. This is part of our continued commitment to British and independent film makers and to grow the extensive range of content we already bring to our customers from the very best of Hollywood to live sport, music, opera and theatre."

Jason Wood, BFI's Executive Director of Public Programmes and Audiences, said:- "BFI Presents at Vue's extensive circuit of UK cinemas is hugely exciting and a brilliant partnership between our organisations. Growing audiences for UK independent and international film is core to everything we do, so we're thrilled to be partnering with Vue to bring highlights from our programme directly to their audiences in the venues they know and love."

Tickets for Benediction and Brian and Charles are now on sale.