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THE Southport Palette Club are already gearing up for its much anticipated centenary, The Palette Club will once again be commandeering the gallery walls of The Atkinson in Southport for the:- 'Sefton Open Exhibition.'

Each year the call out for the Sefton Open attracts hundreds of submissions from ever hopeful local artists all vying for the coveted space on the gallery walls.

Arriving in all shapes and sizes, these have now been whittled down by the selection committee and will go on display at:- The Atkinson Art Gallery, Lord Street, Southport, from:- Saturday, 5 April to Saturday, 31 May 2025.

Jemma Tynan, Exhibition and Learning Officer, at The Atkinson, and Curator of the Sefton Open, explained:- "I'm thrilled to once again collaborate with The Atkinson's longstanding partner, The Southport Palette Club, to highlight the incredible artistic talent across the Borough. Each year, it's exciting to see new artists submitting their work and to curate an exhibition that embraces a diverse range of disciplines and styles."

The Southport Palette Club was formed in 1921 by a group of artists, including:- local landscape painter and Southport School of Art graduate, Percy Lancaster, to further the:- "professional interests of Southport artists by holding an annual exhibition of their works."

Many of the Palette Club's founder members were artists of national repute including:- Joseph Harold Swanwick, best known for his ploughing scenes and other representations of farming life, and fellow academicians of the Royal Cambrian Academy:- Henry Percy Huggill and portrait painter, John Archibald Alexander Berrie.

They were headed by Southport born Club President, Philip Connard, a post he held until his death.

The enduring association between the Palette Club and The Atkinson was cemented at this time when Huggill, then curator of the Gallery, was also appointed the group's 1st Chairman.

Increasingly valued as a showcase for local talent resident, working or educated in the Region, since 1926 the scope of the Sefton Open was widened to give amateurs, as well as professionals, the same facilities.

The success of these early displays was demonstrated by the ever increasing number of visitors to the exhibition each season, which continued to grow in reputation throughout the:- 1920's and 1930's and soon became established as an annual attraction in the Town.

During its formative years the Sefton Open would display up to 180 works, but has since continued to grow in size, stature and variety. In 1938 ceramic and craft works were exhibited for the 1st time and in 2001 video was also included. In 2020 the exhibition embraced the digital world and went online.

Unlike other academies and societies, the Palette Club has neither associates nor members and is not really a 'club' in the accepted sense:- "It's simply an executive committee which meets to organise 1 annual exhibition."

Birkdale based professional artist and current Chairman of Southport Palette Club, Peter Owen, said:- "Increased submission to the Southport Palette Club means a rigorous selection which is reflected in the quality of the work displayed in this year's exhibition."

As well as the juried entries selected by the Palette Club, the Sefton Open's eclectic display also provides a window of opportunity for various art groups based throughout the Borough, including:- Ainsdale, Birkdale, Formby and Kew, to display artwork from their members.

"Coastal Creative" brings together painting and textiles groups, meeting regularly in Formby to create and learn. The group's leader, Nawal Gebreel says:- "It's all teacher led, offering guidance and techniques to help everyone improve. We've been involved with the Sefton Open for years now, and it's always such a great opportunity for local artists to showcase their work. Everyone really looks forward to being part of it."

Textile group:- 'One Step On' who meet each month at:- Rufford Village Hall, are delighted they will be showing again this year: "One Step On is excited to be part of 2025's Sefton Open Exhibition. As a small group, we enjoy working to put forward a range of work, which can be a good representation of the textile art world. It is important to us that we are seen in the context of a range of arts and media, to show how relevant and important our contribution is to the whole panoply of artistic endeavour. We feel that it is a privilege to have a small corner in this amazing space."

The Southport Photographic Society who get together every Monday from:- September to April at Emmanuel Church Hall in Southport are equally:- "thrilled to participate in the Sefton Open once again this year.”

The secretary of SPS, Geoff Ball, says:- "As a society, we encourage our members to showcase their favourite images in print, and the Sefton Open provides an excellent platform to demonstrate the art of photography to the public."

The Moor Lane Art Group from Crosby are similarly enthusiastic about being part of this year’s Sefton Open:- "Our art group meet once a week in a relaxed friendly environment. We occasionally invite professional artists to come in and provide workshops to help us improve our skills. Taking part in the Sefton Open exhibition at The Atkinson is a great motivator and makes us feel part of a like minded community."

Regional groups also on show again this year include:- Ainsdale & Birkdale Art Club, Association of Formby Artists, Kew Art Group, Moor Lane Art Group, Painting For Pleasure Art Group, Sefton Art Group, Sefton Artists, Southport Contemporary Arts and South Sefton Artists.

New exhibitors for 2025 are Angela Birchall's You CAN Paint and Draw Academy and Orrell Arts Café who have been running classes each Thursday since 2023 at:- St John and St James Church and Community Centre, within the heart of Bootle:- "Our weekly drop in arts for wellbeing café offers a space where you can try your hand at a variety of art and craft activities. Although not a formal art class, there is always help and encouragement on hand. Our work sees us develop and deliver projects and activities that recognize and respond to the needs of our local community."

Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the majority of the artworks are available to purchase and visitors will be supporting local artists by investing in their work.

Attendees to the exhibition are also encouraged to vote for their favourite artwork on display. The artwork with the most votes will be awarded:- 'The People's Prize' which will earn the recipient £100.

To recap, this year's Sefton Open runs from:- 5 April to 31 May 2025. Entry is FREE and The Atkinson is open Monday through Saturday, from:- 10:00am to 4:00pm. (Closed on Bank Holidays)