Knowsley Safari brings animal art to your house with a series of live-streamed events

Knowsley Safari’s Home School continues as it teams up with Kirkby Gallery to provide a new series of virtual learning sessions led by professional artists called Art in the Park. Live streamed from the Safari, the outdoors-inspired sessions will take place in February 2021.

Free to book and aimed at anyone keen to learn more about the natural world and a range of art techniques, the general public are invited to two different Art in the Park events, each led by a professional artist and supported by live and pre-recorded content from Safari experts and the Gallery team.

The first event, ‘Staffin’ the Safari’, is led by Cheshire-based printmaker and documentary artist, Julia Midgley. Julia’s four sessions take place weekly at 10am from February 1^st and will focus on work behind the scenes at Knowsley Safari, providing the audience with insight into how keepers and animals work together for the benefit of animal wellbeing and conservation.

The second event open to all is called ‘Revisioning the Rhino’ and is led by professional printmaker and former Manchester School of Art lecturer, Anthony Ratcliffe. Inspired by 16^th Century artist, Albrecht Durer, Anthony will explore the idea of a rhinocerous woodcut with contemporary associations. Anthony’s four sessions will take place weekly at 10am from February 2^nd.

Rhino

Nikki Mallott, Head of Learning and Discovery, Knowsley Safari, says:

“With Kirkby Gallery remaining closed due to the pandemic and the Safari looking for additional ways to engage with those interested in the natural world, our Art in the Park collaboration offers a perfect way for us both to continue providing enjoyable education, while reaching new audiences in an engaging way.”

Tina Ball, Culture Development & Events Officer (Kirkby Gallery & Prescot Museum) for Knowsley Council’s Culture Service says:

“Art in the Park is part of our ‘Out There and Online’ project and we’re delighted to have received funding from the Museum Development North West Covid-19 Recovery Grants scheme, to enable us to deliver this ‘arts meets the environment’ project with Knowsley Safari. Whilst the Culture Service has been busy developing a range of online and covid-safe projects for schools and the community since lockdown 1, Kirkby Gallery prior to the covid-19 pandemic, was a regular and busy centre for arts activity and education, so to pilot our new home for arts engagement, is a great opportunity for all”.

Members of the public interested in booking Art in the Park sessions can do so at www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/whats-on/events/art-in-the-park/.

Knowsley Safari’s social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures remain to ensure the maximum health, safety and enjoyment for all guests, staff and animals. Measures include timed and contactless entry, a one-way Foot Safari, socially distanced picnic areas, PPE for staff, protective screens and helpful staff and signage.