Legacy in Making will run from Saturday, January 24, to Sunday, May 10, at the Somerset Rural Life Museum.
The exhibition celebrates the past, present, and future of Somerset’s craft community.
Organised by Somerset Art Works in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust, the exhibition will feature contemporary and historic works.
It brings together masters and former members of the Somerset Craft Guild, as well as recipients of the Emerging Maker Bursary 2025.
Carol Carey, creative director at 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.”
The collection will showcase pieces in glass, textiles, photography, jewellery, wood, leather, ceramics, basketry, and metalwork.
It will also highlight themes of history, heritage, and the natural world.
Many artists incorporate environmentally responsible processes and materials, using reclaimed metals and natural fibres.
Founded in 1933, the Somerset Craft Guild has supported skilled craftspeople across the county for nearly 100 years.
In 2025, the Guild joined forces with Somerset Art Works to continue its legacy through new opportunities, bursaries, and exhibitions for emerging makers.
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.”
The exhibition aims to honour Somerset’s craft heritage while nurturing the next generation of makers.
Mel Coussens, exhibition manager at the South West Heritage Trust, 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.”
