Discover Cultural Connections, a major programme of contemporary art, archaeology and community engagement at Somerset Rural Life Museum. Developed and commissioned by Somerset Art Works in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust, the programme explores the rich cultural heritage that has shaped Somerset across millennia through exhibitions, events and creative participation.

Opening on 12 September 2026, Cultural Connections unfolds across three spaces within the Museum. The programme is a highlight of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival (19 September – 4 October 2026) and continues beyond the festival, with the Abbey Barn and Granary exhibitions on display until 31 October 2026, and the Mapstone Gallery exhibition continuing until 5 December 2026.

Abbey Barn – Cultural Connections

The headline exhibition in the Abbey Barn features work by three internationally acclaimed women artists of mixed heritage who live in, or have grown up in, Somerset: Candace Bahouth, Helen Cammock, Gladys Paulus. Through new and existing work, the artists respond to themes of migration, identity, belonging and cultural exchange, inviting visitors to reflect on the diverse histories and connections that continue to shape Somerset today.

The exhibition is complemented by an Artists in Conversation event, offering audiences the opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their work, inspirations and creative practice.

Mapstone Gallery – Journeys to Somerset: Exploring Cultural Connections Through Space and Time

The Mapstone Gallery presents Journeys to Somerset: Exploring Cultural Connections Through Space and Time. This exhibition brings together fascinating objects from the archaeological collections cared for by the South West Heritage Trust alongside works by contemporary Somerset artists. Through a dialogue between past and present, it explores the journeys of prehistoric communities who travelled across lands to settle in Somerset, bringing with them new languages, beliefs, skills and treasured objects.

By placing contemporary artistic responses alongside carefully selected archaeological objects, the exhibition reveals enduring stories of movement, exchange and belonging that continue to resonate today.

Photos: Artists attend a workshop exploring archaeological collections at the Somerset Heritage Centre, led by Senior Curator Amal Khreisheh. Photos by Emily Lewin, Somerset Art Works.

The Granary – Cultural Conversations

In the Museum farmyard, the restored wooden Granary, raised on traditional staddle stones, becomes an intimate gallery space showcasing work created through Cultural Conversations, Somerset Art Works’ engagement programme. Developed with women from the Glastonbury Conversation Club, the display celebrates creativity, shared experiences and the diverse voices that contribute to Somerset’s cultural landscape today.

Together, these three connected exhibitions invite visitors to explore how journeys, encounters and exchanges have shaped Somerset’s past and continue to influence the county’s communities today.

Photo credits: Gladys Paulus by Arran Paulus Brough, Helen Cammock by Alun Callender, Journeys to Somerset by Emily Lewin/Somerset Art Works