Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections – Exploring Somerset’s Past and Present

Cultural Connections is a major programme of contemporary art, archaeology and community engagement developed and commissioned by Somerset Art Works in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury.

Opening on 12 September 2026, the programme explores how migration, movement, cultural exchange and shared experiences have shaped Somerset across millennia. Bringing together contemporary artworks, archaeological collections and creative participation, it invites visitors to consider the journeys and connections that continue to influence the county today.

The programme was a highlight of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival (19 September – 4 October 2026) and continues beyond the festival across three exhibition spaces at the Museum.

Abbey Barn – Cultural Connections

The headline exhibition features work by three internationally acclaimed women artists of mixed heritage who live in, or have grown up in, Somerset: Candace Bahouth, Helen Cammock and Gladys Paulus.

Through new and existing work, the artists respond to themes of migration, identity, belonging and cultural exchange. Their varied practices invite visitors to reflect on personal histories, cultural inheritance and the diverse experiences that contribute to Somerset’s identity today.

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

This exhibition brings together archaeological objects cared for by the South West Heritage Trust and artworks by contemporary Somerset artists, exploring the movement of people and ideas through time.

The objects offer glimpses into the lives of prehistoric communities who travelled across landscapes to settle in Somerset, bringing new languages, beliefs, skills and treasured possessions. Placed alongside contemporary artistic responses, they reveal connections between past and present, encouraging visitors to consider how journeys and encounters have shaped the places we inhabit.

Journeys to Somerset remains on display in the Mapstone Gallery until 5 December 2026, beyond the closing dates of the other exhibitions. Please check Somerset Rural Life Museum’s opening days and hours before visiting.

The Granary – Cultural Conversations

In the Museum farmyard, the restored wooden Granary, raised on traditional staddle stones, provides an intimate gallery space for work created through Somerset Art Works’ Cultural Conversations engagement programme.

Developed with women from Glastonbury Conversation Club, the display celebrates creativity, shared experiences and the diverse voices that contribute to Somerset’s cultural landscape. It offers a glimpse into a collaborative process in which conversation and creative activity create opportunities for connection, expression and exchange.

Together, these three exhibitions explore the relationships between people, place and cultural heritage. From archaeological discoveries and contemporary artistic perspectives to community-led creative work, Cultural Connections offers multiple ways to consider what it means to belong to Somerset, how its identity has evolved and how its stories continue to be made.

Exhibition dates

• Abbey Barn – Cultural Connections: until 31 October 2026
• The Granary – Cultural Conversations: until 31 October 2026
• Mapstone Gallery – Journeys to Somerset: Exploring Cultural Connections Through Space and Time: until 5 December 2026

Developed and commissioned by Somerset Art Works in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust.