Port Sunlight-based artist collective selected for Venice Biennale 2026 with major new sculpture project

A Port Sunlight-based artist collective have been formally invited by the European Culture Centre to exhibit at the Venice Biennale 2026, one of the most prestigious and competitive platforms in global contemporary art. The selection places The Old Fire Station Collective on an international stage and marks a significant moment for the region’s creative community.

The collective will present ‘Guardians Across Two Shores’, a major new sculptural project consisting of two large-scale ceramic lion sculptures. Drawing on the shared symbolism of the lion as both the historic emblem of Venice and the heraldic symbol of Wirral, the works form a cultural and conceptual bridge between the two places. The sculptures will be publicly exhibited as part of the Venice Biennale in Palazzo Bembo, beautifully situated on the banks of the Grand Canal, before returning to the UK following the event. The event runs from May through to the end of November 2026.

Led by internationally recognised sculptor Emma Rodgers, The Old Fire Station Collective is known for its collaborative, process-driven approach to making. The Collective is based in the historic Wirral village of Port Sunlight, where sculptor Emma Rodgers took over the old fire station in late 2024. For the Venice Biennale project, every member of the collective has contributed directly to both sculptures, shaping their form, surface, material language and meaning.

The artists involved are:

• Emma Rodgers, international sculptor and lead artist
• Johnny Vegas, artist working across ceramics and sculpture
• Peter Hayes, sculptor working with steel and glass
• Max Eugeni, printmaker
• Sophie Anna Green, printmaker and photographer
• Lonn Landis, ceramicist specialising in foraged clays and glaze chemistry
• Simone Schofield, ceramic and print artist

Each artist’s distinct practice has informed the development of Guardians Across Two Shores, ensuring that both works embody the collective’s shared authorship, technical range and conceptual depth.

Mike Ward, CEO Designate of Port Sunlight Village Trust, said: “We’re so excited for the The Old Fire Station Collective to be exhibiting at the Venice Biennale. It is an extraordinary achievement and a moment of real pride for Port Sunlight and Wirral as a whole.”

Andrew Bowden, Chair of Port Sunlight Village Trust, said: “This project represents the very best of what can happen when creativity is rooted in place but confident enough to speak internationally. To think this all began in Port Sunlight’s old fire station is so inspiring.”

The project has been welcomed as a landmark moment for the borough, highlighting the role of culture in shaping identity, reputation and international dialogue. Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: “Having a Wirral-based collective selected for the Venice Biennale is a powerful statement about the strength of our creative sector. This project shows how collaboration, craft and ambition can connect local identity with global cultural conversations.”

Guardians Across Two Shores, originally conceived as protective and symbolic figures, the two lion sculptures stand as guardians of shared history, place and continuity. The choice of ceramic as the primary material reflects both the fragility and permanence of cultural heritage, while the collaborative making process mirrors the project’s themes of connection and exchange.

Emma Rodgers, international sculptor and Director of The Old Fire Station Collective said: “Being selected for the Venice Biennale is a huge honour for all of us. Guardians Across Two Shores is fundamentally a collective work, every artist has shaped both sculptures. The lions represent connection across geography and time, and the way shared making can create something stronger than any single voice.”

The Venice Biennale is internationally recognised for its influence and reach, attracting global audiences, curators, collectors and media. Participation ensures professional documentation, international press coverage and a lasting archival presence. Following the conclusion of the Venice Biennale 2026, the two sculptures that make up Guardians Across Two Shores will be gifted to the project’s two principal sponsors, becoming permanent legacy artworks with full provenance as internationally exhibited pieces.

For more information about the collective and sponsorship opportunities please contact [email protected]