A exhibition celebrating Wirral Society of Arts' 75th anniversary will open later this month.

Taking place at Mayer Hall in Bebington, it will run from September 21 to October 13.

The display will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10-5pm and Thursdays from 1-7.30pm. It will be closed Monday and Tuesdays. For more details, see the society's website , Facebook or Instagram 

Sample of the work that will feature in Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition, on view at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13Sample of the work that will feature in Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition, on view at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13 (Image: Carol Emmas / Wirral Society of Arts) Wirral Society of Arts was born in 1948 and the brainchild of Tom Howard and John Marshall.

With a renewed post-war passion for the arts, they approached the Lady Lever’s curator Sidney Davison with their idea to set up an art society that would encompass lectures, discussions and exhibitions. Davison voiced the idea to Will C Penn, then Vice Principal of Liverpool School of Art, who was as equally invested in the idea.

Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition will be on view at at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition will be on view at at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13 (Image: Carol Emmas / Wirral Society of Arts) In a letter published in the Birkenhead News on September 11, 1948, Penn invited all with some art training to join and expressing the society’s intentions.

The letter read: "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". 

The Lady Lever Art Gallery was the home of the Society’s first exhibition in 1949. It then moved to the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum until this year.

Sample of the work that will feature in Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition, on view at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13Sample of the work that will feature in Wirral Society of Arts 75th anniversary exhibition, on view at Mayer Hall in Bebington from September 21 to October 13 (Image: Carol Emmas / Wirral Society of Arts) A change of artistic direction at the Williamson means it cannot currently host this annual event. So, Mayer Hall, a former art gallery with its high ceilings, skylights, original features and space is the perfect alternative fit.

The hall has an impressive artistic history dating back to the late 1860s. Philanthropist and lover of arts and antiquities, Joseph Mayer opened Mayer Park and its neighbouring free library for the community.

A decade later he added Mayer Hall which became a museum, art gallery and community space. A man of incredible generosity, he would surely be happy to see art hanging on its walls again.