Legacy in Making exhibition opens at Somerset Rural Life Museum

Legacy in Making is a new exhibition presented by Somerset Art Works in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust that celebrates the legacy and future of the Somerset Craft Guild. The exhibition opens at Somerset Rural Life Museum from 24 January to 10 May 2026.

Image: Legacy in Making

This new exhibition celebrates the remarkable breadth of contemporary and historic craft in Somerset. Bringing together former members and masters of the Somerset Craft Guild, along with the 2025 Somerset Art Works × Somerset Craft Guild Emerging Maker Bursary artists, the exhibition reveals a vibrant creative community shaped by heritage, experimentation and deep connection to place.

Across glass, textiles, photography, jewellery, wood, leather, ceramics, basketry and metalwork, the makers explore enduring themes of history, heritage and the natural world. Many embrace sustainable materials, working with reclaimed or recycled metals, natural fibres, and environmentally responsible processes.

Founded in 1933, the Somerset Craft Guild championed skilled craftspeople across the county for nearly a century. In 2025, the Guild joined forces with Somerset Art Works - a partnership that carries the Guild’s remarkable legacy into a new era. Together, they are safeguarding nearly 100 years of craft heritage while investing in the future of making in Somerset. Through new bursaries, opportunities and exhibitions, Somerset Art Works is supporting emerging makers and re-energising the county’s craft sector.

Carol Carey, Creative Director of Somerset Art Works said: “This exhibition marks an exciting phase in our partnership with the Somerset Craft Guild to celebrate what has come before, whilst looking forward to securing a future for craft in Somerset.”

Daniel Carpenter from Heritage Crafts said: "The true legacy of craft lies not just in the beautiful objects we cherish, but in the living knowledge required to create them. Passing down these skills ensures that this knowledge is not lost, but entrusted to a new generation to adapt and evolve. For over 90 years the Somerset Craft Guild has stood as a vital link in this enduring chain of transmission, reminding us that while the world changes drastically, the human impulse to make remains constant."

South West Heritage Trust Exhibition Manager Mel Coussens said: "We're delighted to be hosting this exhibition that celebrates the excellence of past makers while championing the next generation of craftspeople shaping Somerset’s creative future."

For more information, visit srlm.org.uk.