Staff celebrate as ‘vibrant’ Walker Art Gallery marks 130th anniversary

Sep 7 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Staff celebrate as ‘vibrant’ Walker Art Gallery marks 130th anniversary

THE Walker Art Gallery celebrated a milestone yesterday as staff and visitors marked its 130th birthday.

Director of Art Galleries Reyahn King said that with Capital of Culture year looming it was important to celebrate the venue as a “vibrant and engaging experience”.

She said: “Liverpool has probably the most significant collection of paintings outside of London and the Oxbridge university museums.

“It’s really important that Liverpudlians come and appreciate the collection that is right on their doorstep.”

The gallery is named after the brewery owner Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, who paid for its construction to commemorate his term as mayor of Liverpool in 1877.

The foundation stone was laid three years previously by Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh. The council set aside £1,200 for the purchase of artworks.

It was opened on September 6 that year by the 15th Earl of Derby.

Visitors have been invited to join in the celebrations throughout the month with a number of specialist workshops and tours.