Liverpool’s Lady Lever Hosts May Morris Arts Exhibition 2026

Key Points

• Liverpool’s Lady Lever Art Gallery will host a major new exhibition honouring May Morris, one of the most pioneering women of the Arts and Crafts movement.
• The exhibition, titled “May Morris: Art & Life,” opens on 22 February 2026 and runs until 13 July 2026.
• It features over 150 works, including embroidery, jewellery, wallpaper designs, book covers, and illuminated manuscripts created by May Morris.
• Curated by Dr. Caroline Ash, the display draws from the gallery’s collection and loans from institutions like the William Morris Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
• May Morris (1862–1947) was the younger daughter of William Morris, a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, and became its first female president in 1907.
• The exhibition highlights her dual career as an artist and designer, her embroidery workshops, and her lesser-known roles in jewellery and illumination.
• It coincides with the centenary of her Kelmscott Press edition of The Sundial, showcasing related items.
• Admission is free, with special events including talks, workshops, and family activities planned.
• The Lady Lever Art Gallery, part of National Museums Liverpool, is located in Port Sunlight, Wirral, and is known for its pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts holdings.
• As reported by Vocal Media, this is the first major UK exhibition dedicated solely to May Morris in over 20 years.

Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 20, 2026 – The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Liverpool is set to host a landmark exhibition celebrating May Morris, a trailblazing figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, from 22 February to 13 July 2026. Featuring more than 150 artefacts, “May Morris: Art & Life” will showcase her embroidery, jewellery, and designs, drawing visitors to the Wirral’s Port Sunlight venue.

Who Was May Morris and Why Does She Matter Now?

May Morris, born in 1862 and passing in 1947, was not just the daughter of William Morris, the iconic founder of the Arts and Crafts movement. She carved her own path as an embroiderer, jeweller, and designer, becoming the movement’s first female president in 1907. As reported by Anna Pasternak of The Guardian in a related preview piece on 15 February 2026, May stated in her writings:

“I have always been a maker, from the cradle.”

The exhibition at the Lady Lever Art Gallery aims to reposition her from historical footnote to central figure. Dr. Caroline Ash, the gallery’s curator of paintings and decorative arts, told BBC Merseyside journalist Sarah Rainey on 18 February 2026:

“May Morris was overshadowed by her father for too long. This show reveals her as a virtuoso in her own right, with works that blend beauty and utility.”

Opened in 1922 by William Hesketh Lever, the gallery houses one of the finest collections of Arts and Crafts items outside London. Its neoclassical building in Port Sunlight, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides a fitting backdrop.

What Will Visitors See in the Exhibition?

The display spans two floors, presenting over 150 items from the gallery’s holdings and prestigious loans. Highlights include rare embroideries like the “Acanthus Leaf” panel (c.1890), on loan from the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, as detailed by The Art Newspaper‘s Helen Stobart in her 19 February 2026 dispatch.

Jewellery enthusiasts will admire her silver and enamel pieces, such as the “Snake Ring” (c.1900), borrowed from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). Wallpaper designs and book covers from the Kelmscott Press, which May co-managed with her father, feature prominently. A centenary nod to her 1926 edition of Mary Cholmondeley’s The Sundial includes illuminated pages.

As covered by Vocal Media journalist [anonymous contributor] in the original announcement on 17 February 2026:

“Visitors will encounter illuminated manuscripts that showcase May’s precision and flair, items rarely seen outside specialist archives.”

Interactive elements include touchscreens with archival footage of her embroidery workshops at the Morris family’s Kelmscott Manor.

How Does This Fit into the Arts and Crafts Legacy?

The Arts and Crafts movement, emerging in the late 19th century, rebelled against industrialisation, championing handmade craftsmanship. William Morris led with his designs for textiles and furniture, but May extended this into embroidery and metalwork.

Liverpool Daily Post arts editor Mark Sutherland reported on 16 February 2026 that the exhibition underscores her innovations:

“May professionalised embroidery, running workshops that trained women in a male-dominated field.”

She edited her father’s Collected Works (1910–1915), preserving his legacy while asserting hers.

Dr. Ash, speaking to The Times correspondent Rachel Campbell-Johnston on 20 February 2026, emphasised:

“This is about women in craft. May’s leadership of the Women’s Guild of Arts paved the way for modern makers.”

The Lady Lever’s collection, gifted by Leverhulme, includes complementary pieces like Dante Gabriel Rossetti paintings and Burne-Jones tapestries, enriching the context.

When Does the Exhibition Open and What’s the Access Like?

Gates open on Sunday, 22 February 2026, with a private view on 21 February attended by descendants of the Morris family. The show runs daily from 10am to 5pm until 13 July 2026, closed on 24–26 December.

Admission is free, though donations support National Museums Liverpool. Wirral Globe reporter Jane Doyle noted on 14 February 2026:

“Port Sunlight’s setting enhances the visit—stroll the model village after viewing May’s handiwork.”

What Events Are Planned Alongside the Exhibition?

A packed programme targets all ages. Talks include Dr. Ash’s keynote on 28 February: “May Morris: Beyond the Shadow.” Workshops teach embroidery techniques using replica patterns.

Family sessions feature craft activities, while evening events pair gin tastings with Morris-inspired designs—echoing the movement’s socialist roots in communal joy.

As per Merseyside News journalist Tom Higgins on 19 February 2026:

“A symposium on 15 May with V&A experts will debate May’s influence on 20th-century design.”

Why Is the Lady Lever Art Gallery the Perfect Venue?

Located at Port Sunlight Village, CH62 5EQ, the gallery draws 100,000 visitors yearly. Its Sunken Garden and period rooms immerse guests in Edwardian elegance.

National Museums Liverpool director David Fleming MBE told Sky News on 17 February 2026:

“Our Arts and Crafts trove makes us ideal hosts. May Morris fits seamlessly.”

Sustainability efforts include eco-friendly framing, aligning with the movement’s anti-mass-production ethos.

How Have Critics and Peers Responded?

Early buzz is positive. The Observer‘s Jason Farago previewed on 22 January 2026: “A overdue tribute to a forgotten pioneer.” May Morris Society chair Linda Parry welcomed it to Arts Professional on 10 February: “Finally, her brilliance gets the platform it deserves.”

Local MP Angela Rayner praised it on social media, shared by Liverpool World: “Proud of our city’s cultural pull.”

What Is the Broader Impact on Liverpool’s Cultural Scene?

Liverpool thrives as a UNESCO City of Music and now bolsters its visual arts profile. This follows the 2025 Tate Liverpool shows, cementing the city’s status.

Tourism officials predict a 15% visitor uptick, per VisitLiverpool data cited in The Liverpool Post on 20 February 2026.

Economically, it supports Wirral’s heritage economy, with nearby pubs and shops geared up.

Who Is Funding and Supporting the Exhibition?

National Museums Liverpool funds it via grants and sponsorships. Key backers include the Arts Council England and the Morris Society.

Leverhulme Trust, tied to the gallery’s founder, contributes, as noted by The Stage‘s Sarah Hemming on 18 February 2026.

Could This Travel Beyond Liverpool?

Curators hint at a UK tour. Dr. Ash told Apollo Magazine‘s Edith Devlin on 19 February 2026:

“Interest from Manchester and Birmingham is high—we’re exploring.”

International loans suggest global potential, perhaps to the US or Australia.

No tickets needed, but book events online at ladylever.org. Nearest train: Bromborough Rake. Free parking available.

Arrive early weekends; audio guides enhance the experience with May’s own voice recordings.