In 1976 a small group of artists rented a derelict police station and established Bridewell Studios. Art Space Merseyside was formed in 1981 as a not for profit limited company to run the organisation and after the demise of Merseyside County Council the artists secured a loan to buy the property.

 

Over the last 30 years, hundreds of artists have worked or had connections here. Some have national and international recognition; Adrien Henri, Richard Young, Stephen Broadbent, Maurice Cockrill, Ian McKeever and Anish Kapoor. It has also had as a tenant David Gray - singer/songwriter. Even the building has been in the spotlight being a location for Alan Bleasdales 'Boys from the Blackstuff'.

 

The Bridewell currently has 35 artists and craftspeople working in individual spaces. The many art forms include painting, stone/wood sculpture, jewellery, stained glass, textiles, print-making, ceramics, metal and multi-media.

The Bridewell Gallery in it's latest incarnation invites collaborations from other arts organisations and the local community - see Gallery page for more details.