Exhibitions
Our curated art exhibitions showcase amazing work from leading artists, sculptors and craft makers. We also encourage young artists and display work from local schools. Entry is free and open to everyone. All the artwork is for sale and, as a charity, we receive commission on each item purchased.
Artwork is exhibited in a light and airy gallery, with adjoining café. There's usually a new exhibition every 4 weeks, ensuring that fresh perspectives can be enjoyed by regular visitors.
Exhibitions variously include watercolour, oil or acrylic paintings, sculptures, textiles, multi-media, pottery and ceramics. Our gallery is the perfect place to enjoy a sense of wonder, beauty and reflection, or be challenged and inspired by the visual arts on display.
To apply to exhibit in our our gallery, please use the application link below
Angela Shipp & Linda Carroll
Linda Carroll and Angela Shipp have come together to create an exhibition of colourful, imaginative works.
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 27th March, 15:00
Free Entry
From River to Sea
A curated exhibition including Artists: Sian Cann, Mark Huntley, Denise Lauchlan, Sandra Meech, Margaret Micklewright, Ellen Norton, Jessica Tildesley
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 24th April, 15:00
Free Entry
Peter Ursem - Eye Heart Hand
This exhibition brings together recent works by artist and writer Peter Ursem.
Meet the Artist - Saturday 2nd May 11:30-1:30
Story Reading from his book ‘The Bigger Picture, Forty Friendly Fables’ - Friday 8th May starting at 12:15
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 22nd May, 15:00
Free Entry
Moish Sokal - Here comes the Sun
Somerset based artist Moish Sokal brings the sun back to Ilminster Arts Centre with a new and colourful collection of watercolors.
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 22nd May, 15:00
Free Entry
Ilminster Arts Centre Open Exhibition 2026
Ilminster Arts Centre highly anticipated Open Exhibition 2026 is back. This annual judged exhibition invited artists from across the region to submit their work for the chance to be showcased in one of Somerset’s leading artistic events.
The exhibition will run from 23rd June to 31st July 2026, welcoming visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00. Free Entry.
Exhibition ends on Friday 31st July, 15:00
Schools Exhibition XIII - The Art of Tomorrow
The 13th Schools’ exhibition to be staged at the Arts Centre featuring the artwork from pupils and students from local schools
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 27th February, 15:00
Free Entry
Prize Winners - Open 25
A selection of work from the winners of the 2025 Open Exhibition.
Artists include: Susan Lawrence, Victoria Garland, Sally Hebeler, Lawrence Nash, John Gammans, Sue Smallwood, Rebecca Mitchell and Leo Davey
Open Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 6th February, 15:00
Free Entry
Christmas Collection
A curated collection of handmade items from local makers. Perfect for gift inspiration.
Open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Julia McKenzie: Uncharted - Sea Journals of a Cornish Mariner
An exhibition inspired by the recently rediscovered diaries of Julia’s Great Grandfather, John Henry Lowry, written in the 1890’s. The exhibition explores John’s adventures as a Mariner and the fates of those around him and the sea.
4 November - 21 November
Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 21st November, 15:00
Free Entry
Lucy Hawkins in the Café Gallery
Landscape artist Lucy Hawkins draws inspiration from the Southwest coastline, landmarks, moorland and ancient woodland.
4 November - 21 November
Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 21st November, 15:00
Free Entry
Earth Forms: Natures Lines & Landscapes
A Landscape and Natural Forms exhibition, celebrating nature through artistic interpretations of landscapes, organic shapes, and natural elements.
A shared exhibition of local artists
7 October - 31 October
Tuesday - Saturday 09:30-15:00
Exhibition ends on Friday 31st October, 15:00
Free Entry
Roger Rowley: Quiet Contemplations
Quiet Contemplations embodies the serene, introspective quality of Rogers work, inviting viewers into a space of stillness and reflection.
9 September - 3 October
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Paul Newman: Canopy Tales in the Café Gallery
Derived from an ongoing fascination with observation, mark-making and being in ‘nature’
30 Different birds will populate the cafe gallery.
9 September - 3 October
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Community Focus: A Workshops Collection
An exhibition showcasing the work of our regular workshop participants.
Everything from painting and drawing to creative writing. This exhibition celebrates the creativity and skills developed through the excellent workshops hosted at the Ilminster Arts Centre.
The exhibition will run from Tuesday 12 August to Friday 5 September 2025, welcoming visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Free Entry
Jackie Cox & Chris Sinden: Take Two
"Take Two"
Landscape and wildlife seen through the eyes of Jackie Cox and Chris Sinden.
From highly detailed scraperboard, coloured pencil and mixed media paintings
to complicated multiblock linocuts.
"Take Two" is an exhibition that encompasses both individual interpretations and comparisons.
‘Meet the Artists’ - Saturday 2nd August.
Tuesday 22 July - Friday 8 August 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Ilminster Arts Centre Open Exhibition 2025
Ilminster Arts Centre highly anticipated Open Exhibition 2025 is back. This annual judged exhibition invited artists from across the region to submit their work for the chance to be showcased in one of Somerset’s leading artistic events.
The exhibition will run from 17th June to 18th July 2025, welcoming visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
The Prize Giving Event will take place on Wednesday, 18th June, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, where winners will be announced.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Herne View School
An Exhibition showcasing the work of Herne View School
3rd June - 13th June
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Artists 303: 60th Anniversary Exhibition
Artists303 celebrate their 60th Anniversary with this exhibition of current members
Kate Cochrane, Sandra Meech, Sally Ridout, Heather Stone, Vera Sheaf, Pauline Pearce, Cath Bloomfield.
Open Evening to meet the artists on Wednesday 14th May 16:00-18:00. Everyone welcome. Bar Available
Meet the Artists on Saturday 17th May 10:00-12:00
6 May - 30 May
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Sue Durant & Lin Hawkins: Point of View
An exhibition featuring landscapes, seascapes, nature and semi abstract representations of the world
8 April - 2 May
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Rod Hill
Rod Hill’s work extends from the exhibition in the Gallery, into the Café with a selection of Oil paintings recently created at John Meaker’s studio in Abbotsbury, and textile works
Free Entry
11 March - 4 April
On the final day the display will close at 1pm.
Selima Hill: The Blessed Virgin Mary of My Dreams
An exhibition to celebrate the latest book from winner of First King's Gold Medal for Poetry, Selima Hill, in collaboration with Moby Hill (artist), Archie Stokes-Faiers (stonemason), Rod Hill (textiles) and Luke Thompson of Guillemot Press.
Meet the Artists - Moby Hill and Archie Stokes-Faiers on Saturday 29th March
Free entry.
Open Tuesday – Saturday. 9.30am - 3pm.
Sewing Seeds of Gladness
Sewing Seeds of Gladness
Free entry
25 February - 8 March
On the final day the display will close at 1pm.
Schools Go Visual XII
The 12th Schools’ exhibition to be staged at the Arts Centre featuring the artwork from pupils and students from local schools.
It is always a bonanza of colour and ideas from the budding artists of the future.
February 25 - March 8, Tuesday - Saturday 9.30am - 3pm
On the final day the display will close at 1pm.
Convergence
Convergence
A shared exhibition featuring abstract and semi abstract work from a number of local artists. Work will include paintings, ceramics and textiles.
Artists Include: Keith Crocker, Sara Cowling, Nigel Moores, Alison Jackson-Bass, Carolyn Hooper, Gill Pitt, Sehila Craft, Stephen Jenkinson
Jan 28 – Feb 22
Prize Winners - Open 24
A selection of work from the winners of the 2024 Open Exhibition.
Artists include: Hannah Shrubb, Hannah Scott, Zee Jones, Hajnal Vegh, Michael Calver, Natasha Seed, ashar, Diana Jane
Christmas Collection
A curated collection of handmade items from local makers. Perfect for gift inspiration.
Arts Centre open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
Maria Harryman - Life is not Still
A solo art Exhibition from Maria Harryman inspired by the wild plants and changing seasons on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
12th November – 23rd November 2024.
Open Tues-Sat 9:30-15:00
admission free.
South West Textiles - Borderlines
The South West Textile Group is a long established group of textile artists who meet regularly. The group produces many multi media pieces including felting, weaving, stitching, dyeing, printing and painting.
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm
Arts Centre open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
A Concentration of Light - Annie Musgrove
This collection of recent work demonstrates Annie’s passion for the effects of light on land and sea.
Annie works mostly in oils and spends time in the landscape, walking with her two labradors, Woody and Smartie, observing and noticing the weather and its effects.
In 2023 Annie won the overall prize at the Ilminster Open with her painting “Untouchable Horizons”
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm
Arts Centre open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
Connections
Connections
Artists connections to various landscapes translated into art from the wilds of Shetland to the calm of the Levels.
Featured Artists include Margaret Micklewright, Andrea Oke, Mary Stradling, Angela Uren
Exhibition runs from Auguest 27 - September 21
Arts Centre open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
By Invitation
22 July - 24th August
A curated display of work by invited artists which explores the themes of nature, wildlife and organic shapes. Work includes painting, prints, textile, photography and sculpture.
Featured Artists: Leah Hislop, Kate Norton, Lucy Hawkins, Shena Bulcock, Sian Cann, Ann Fagan, Rachel Moffett, Hilary Giles, Wendy Hermelin, Grace Green, Ashar, Mike Lanigan.
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm
Arts Centre open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
2024 Annual Open Art Competition
Ilminster Art Centre’s Annual Open Exhibition
This exhibition is the result of our annual open competition.
Announcement of winners: Wednesday June 12 from 5pm. All welcome to attend.
Tuesday, 11 June - Friday, 19 July
On the final day the exhibition will end at 2pm.
Entrance is free, opening hours 9.30am - 3pm
Café on site.
Meet the Artists
Meet the Artists from the Blackdown Edge Group
Members of the Group will be visiting the Arts Centre to talk with visitors
about their work.
May 21 from 11am.
Exhibition runs from May 21 - June 7
Entrance is free, opening hours 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
Blackdown Edge Artists
Blackdown Edge Artists
Six artists to include ceramics and mixed media painters exhibiting at the Arts Centre as a group for the first time.
May 21 - June 7 on the final day the exhibition will end at 3pm
Entrance is free, opening hours 9.30am - 3pm
Cafe on site.
Meet the Artists
Somerset Creative Textiles present: The Nature of Textiles - a themed exhibition that will include new work as well as showcasing members’ huge range of creative skills in the medium of textiles.
April 2 - April 27 Tues - Sat 9.30am - 3pm
Entry is free - Cafe on site.
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm