Opened on 12 September 2026, Cultural Connections unfolded across three spaces within the Museum and was a highlight of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival (19 September to 4 October 2026).

The exhibitions in the Abbey Barn and Granary have now closed. Visitors can still experience the final part of the programme in the Mapstone Gallery, where the Cultural Connections exhibition continues until 5 December 2026.

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.

Abbey Barn – Cultural Connections

The headline exhibition in the Abbey Barn featured 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 Granary – Cultural Conversations

In the Museum farmyard, the restored wooden Granary, raised on traditional staddle stones, became 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.