The Williamson is an increasingly lively art gallery and museum at the heart of the Wirral cultural scene. It has collections of oil paintings, watercolours and artefacts including ceramics, a varied and stimulating exhibition programme and a sophisticated network of relationships with local organisations, schools and colleges. It has a welcoming café providing good quality fare, an attractive second-hand bookshop and an excellent artists materials shop. It is very family friendly. 

The Gallery lacks an outdoor space and this area has great potential for a considerable range of activities. The creation of a special area of delight with potential for flexible and evolving use will considerably increase the amenity attraction of the Gallery. It will bring many practical benefits and raise the public profile of the Gallery.  The Friends have done much to promote WAG over the last three years but the potential to enhance its profile, impact and visitor numbers is great. The importance of culture to the Wirral is now being recognized in terms of social and economic impact. 

Our aim is to bring this space into use as the 'Quad', where all visitors, children, elderly people, residents of local care homes and hostels can sit freely amidst plants and sculpture and enjoy moments of quiet. The Wirral Museums Service, fully supported by the Friends, provides acclaimed summer courses for children and also work with many needy groups including youngsters with learning difficulties so an outside “breakout space” will be a major asset. Over 30,000 people visit the Gallery each year and there is a core pool of people on the Wirral of at least 2,000 who are regular attenders of events These numbers are rising significantly but the Gallery has far greater potential. The new Quad will give it an extra dimension to help attract new people into the wonderful world of art and heritage.