Creativity Unwrapped

Visit Catalyst FREE OF CHARGE on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September as part of the National Heritage Open Day Events.

Come and visit a chemical industry archive with a twist! Discover our quest to find Portraits of an Industry, view rarely seen poetry, stories, art, drama and listen to music from our archives!

Join our quest to track down some special portraits. In the 1940s, ICI commissioned a collection of 56 portraits painted by prominent British artists. These portraits were of workers in 26 different ICI factories across the UK and copies of each were made into a book entitled Portraits of an Industry. The whereabouts of only 11 portraits are currently known including three from our archives so the quest continues. Take a look at our display and see if you recognise a portrait that may be hanging in your Grandma’s house!

On the theme of ‘Creativity Unwrapped’, pay a visit to Judith and her team in our archive room where you’ll find a handwritten poetry book from the 1870s, see a film from our archive collection and listen to some 78s on the gramophone.

If that’s not enough, you can explore the interactive gallery with a host of hand-on exhibits or learn about the history of the local area in our Birth of an Industry and Baker Galleries. You can marvel at the 360 degree views from our glass-walled rooftop Observatory Gallery where we will be hosting Runcorn and Widnes Historical Societies and Phoenix Photography with an exhibition of their work.

Of course, you can also browse the museum shop or stop for a tasty snack or drink from the Catalyst Cafe!