Royal Liver Building to host a series of special Pride events

The team at The Royal Liver Building a set to use their platform, as one of the most iconic buildings in the city, to show solidarity with LGBTQIA+ community.

The Royal Liver building (RLB) will host a series of special workshops this month to celebrate Pride in Liverpool.

The RLB is the latest prestigious location to house an arts installation called “Dip Into Pride Bath”, a rainbow tiled roll top bath designed by photographer and arts producer Laura McCann and brought to life by local mosaic artist Natasha Ellis.

Originally conceived for Pride 2023, the idea of the DIP Bath was to encourage people to immerse themselves in the spirit of equality. Since the installation arrived at the RLB numerous people from the queer arts scene have been photographed in the bath by Laura, who recently had work shortlisted by the National Portrait Gallery.

On Monday, 22 July, the public will be given a final opportunity to have their own photo taken by Laura completely free of charge at The RLB.

Natasha Ellis - Pride In Liverpool - Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann — Natasha Ellis – Pride In Liverpool – Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann

If you would like to have your snap in the bath, Laura will be at the riverside reception of the Liver Building between 11am – 2pm on 22 July. You’ll also be able to donate to the charity Sahir who Laura and the mosaic artist Natasha (aka @titsupartistliverpool) are supporting throughout this project.

In addition to the public photoshoot, people will also have a chance to create art of their own at The Royal Liver Building when local artist Tony O’Connell hosts a very special Pride life drawing class there on 25 July at 6.30pm.

Tony, who’s exhibited his own artwork around the country has over two decades of lecturing experience and his life classes have become a much loved staple in his home city.

Tony O'Connell - Pride In Liverpool - Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann — Tony O’Connell – Pride In Liverpool – Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann

Tony met Laura McCann when she asked him to be part of an exhibition she curated for Pride 2023 and since then the pair have worked on various projects together. Laura, who also organised the Paul Curtis exhibition at The Royal Liver Building, thought the location was perfect for one of Tony’s arts events.

Laura McCann said:

“The Royal Liver Building are really proactive in supporting local creatives and engaging with the community. The building is steeped in history and tradition but the team who manage it are very progressive and inclusive. Given that the LCR Pride march will finish at the pier head and Pride Classical will take place there, RLB seemed the perfect location for a special Pride life class ran by Tony”.

Eve Howlett - Pride In Liverpool - Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann — Eve Howlett – Pride In Liverpool – Royal Liver Building. Image: Laura McCann

Ian Edwards, General Manager for CBRE who manages The Royal Liver Building, said:

“We love hosting events that involve the public and although the building is seen as a heritage site, we want to make sure it is truly representative of Liverpool today and is a place where everyone feels welcome”.

Tony, who’s recently exhibited at Kirby Gallery and is currently displaying pieces in New Mils, said:

“It’s great to be hosted in such as iconic space and important for LGBTQIA+ representation to expand. It hasn’t always been that way across the UK. We’ve made huge progress in my lifetime but there is still much work to be done, so Kudos to RLB for inviting us in to make art”.

The life class will feature renown model Eve Howlett, who in addition to modelling is an artistic performer and the director of Liverpool Life Drawing.