Wirral Youth Market & live Art Jam coming to Birkenhead this weekend

More than 50 young entrepreneurs and performers will be showcasing their talent this Saturday 15 March at the latest Wirral Youth Market event, where visitors will be able to shop local as well as enjoying a host of free family activities.

The event, running from 10am – 4pm, will offer a great opportunity to discover up-and-coming local talent with young entrepreneurs showcasing their brands, while talented performers take to the stage. Plus, an Art Jam will bring colour to the market shutters with local artists creating murals live during the event, and there will also be free workshops for both adults and children to get creative in.

Youth Market traders will be offering everything from crafts, art, fashion and accessories to tasty treats and hot food, making it the ideal place to pick up unique gifts just in time for Mother’s Day. And people will be able to take in the atmosphere as they shop thanks to a full roster of young performers who will be entertaining visitors as they browse the stalls on offer or pick up a bite to eat.

Alongside the Youth Market itself, a range of other activities are planned, including:

Family Activities

Entertaining the children while doing some shopping will be easy thanks to the free activities on offer. Boo’s Mobile Zoo will give the little ones an opportunity to meet animals up close, while local company the Twigtwisters will be demonstrating Mother’s Day crafts and helping people create their own keepsakes. 

A live Art Jam

This dynamic event – produced by Make CIC - will see 10 local artists using their talent to design large scale murals and installations, transforming Birkenhead Market’s shutters live throughout the day between 10am – 4pm. 

A snapshot of the artists confirmed to be taking part include:  

• Rachel Smith-Evans of Quirky Design Co, a decorative artist based at Make North Docks in Liverpool, who created artwork for both Eurovision and Taylor Town and has been featured on BBC’s The One Show and ITV 
• SignsbyJames, a Wirral based self-taught artist who is ‘making people happy by splashing paint about’. He has worked on murals, window displays and more across Wirral
• Gweni-Louu, a Birkenhead resident and visual artist who is known for her vibrant abstract paintings of the North Wales coastline.
• Jessie Inkswell, a fantasy artist from Birkenhead loves bringing characters to life, with a specialty in original character design 
• Michelle Murray, a Wirral resident and interdisciplinary artist. She specialises in illustration, drawing inspiration from everyday life to childhood. Michelle’s work encompasses a variety of media ranging from 3D work, painting and printing to express her ideas. 
• Convenience Gallery, a not for profit, creative arts platform based in Birkenhead, who take art out into public spaces across Merseyside, creating accessible ways for communities to engage and be enriched through the arts 

Graffiti Workshops with Zap Graffiti

For those inspired to pick up a paintbrush after watching the professionals in action, Art Jam will also offer visitors the chance to get involved and create artwork of their own. Liverpool-based Zap Graffiti will host a series of workshops throughout the day, allowing the public to tap into their artistic side and contribute toward a community mural. There’s no need to book, and people are invited to join in at the rolling sessions between 10am – 4pm.
 

Getting there

Wirral Youth Market will take place in Birkenhead Market’s covered outdoor space, next to Birkenhead Bus Station. Parking is available nearby in The Grange or the Pyramids.

Youth Market is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through the city region’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation. Art Jam has been made possible thanks to funding through the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), which aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets.

Wirral Youth Market takes place on Saturday 15th March between 10am – 4pm at Birkenhead Market’s outdoor event space next to the Bus Station. Follow the Facebook page for more information.