Events

Symposium | OFFSHOOT: Cultivating connections – arts, nature and place

University of Salford (New Adelphi) and Salford Museum and Art Gallery

28th October 2026, Symposium 10am – 4:30 pm / Drinks reception 4:30-6:30

Hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society, University of Salford and Open Eye Gallery, this one-day symposium will bring together artists, commissioners, academics, funders, cultural organisations, environmental partners and public sector leaders to explore how cross-sector collaboration can create ambitious, place-based cultural projects.

Talk | Planting for the Future – a word with the experts

Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool

17th February 2026, 6-8pm

Planting for the Future was a discussion on how climate change is shaping what we plant now and how we’ll plant in the future. Here we posed the question what steps should we be taking to mitigate climate change and which things can help make positive change?

Expert panellists from our partner organisations were:

• Joshua Corbet, Arborist, Arboriculture Team Leader at Royal Horticultural Society, Bridgewater.
• Phillip Esseen, Curator of Botany & Horticulture, Head of Plants at Chester Zoo

Image courtesy of Anoosh Ariamehr.

Event | Sowing Kinship: People, Plants, Photos

Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool

27th January 2026, 6-8pm

This was a talk around the benefits of connecting to nature through growing plants, supporting our natural heritage, and sharing your photo stories with others, featuring:

• Daniel Atherton, Regional Interpretation Coordinator, Royal Horticultural Society, RHS Garden Bridgewater and RHS Garden Harlow Carr;
• Jenny Mutch, Head of Conservation Education and Engagement, Chester Zoo.

Image courtesy of Anoosh Ariamehr.

Launch | LOOK Climate Lab 2026

Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool

22nd January 2026, 6-8pm

Read more about LOOK Climate Lab in our Exhibitions tab.

Click here to see images from the launch.

Image by Lyla from Bridgewater Youth Club, taken as part of Liz Lock’s community workshops.