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 3-4 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. For gallery hire, contact exhibitions@ilminsterarts.org.uk.
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 15th March
Free entry.
Open Tuesday – Saturday. 9.30am - 3pm.
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.
Sue Durant & Lin Hawkins: Point of View
Sue Durant &Lin Hawkins: Points 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
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.
Meet the Artists on Saturday 17th May 10:00-12:00
6 May - 30 May
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30-3:00
Free Entry
Ilminster Arts Centre Open Exhibition 2025
Ilminster Arts Centre is delighted to announce that entries for the highly anticipated Open Exhibition 2025 are NOW OPEN. This annual judged exhibition invites 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!
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
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 - Meet the Artist
Maria Harryman will be in the gallery on Saturday 16th November to discuss her work and show her sketchbooks providing insight into her working practise.
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.
Meet the Artists: Frog Lane Artists
Frog Lane painters are a group of painters formed at IAC Acrylic class and tutored by Juliet Farnese.
The exhibitions runs from 15th October 2024 - November 9th. On the last day the exhibition closes at 13.00pm
Frog Lane Artists
Frog Lane painters are a group of painters formed at IAC Acrylic class and tutored by Juliet Farnese.
The exhibitions runs from 15th October 2024 - November 9th. On the last day the exhibition closes at 13.00pm
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.
Yeovil Art Group
Summertime & the Living is Easy - return of the Yeovil Art Group.
A mixed group of artists covering several forms - it will be as previously an exhibition that offers something for everyone to enjoy
April 30 - May 18 Tuesday - Saturday 9.30am - 3pm
Please note on the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm
On site Arts Cafe.
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
The Nature of Textiles
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
A Moment in Time
Eight artists who have not exhibited together before share space to showcase their artwork.
Tues March 5 - March 30
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm.
Schools Go Visual (XI)
The 11th 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 20 - March 2 Tuesday - Saturday 9.30am - 3pm
On the final day the display will close at 1pm.
Meet the Artists
Lia Jenkinson will be demonstrating some of her textile skills on her loom in the Gallery on Saturday Feb 3 & 10
In the Mix
10 artists who have not exhibited together previously come together to share an exhibition - to including painters, sculpture in glass and hand woven textiles.
Tues Jan 30 - Feb 17 - entrance free
Workshops and demonstrations are linked to this exhibition
Sat Feb 3 & 10.
Prize Winners Open '23
Our annual Open Prize Winners’ Exhibition will include 10 artists and feature not only paintings and sculpture but also contributions in ceramics from the Arts Centre’s clay workshop group.
Opens January 4 - 27
Opening hours Tuesday - Saturday, 9.30am - 3pm
On the final day the exhibition will close at 1pm.
Christmas Craft Show
Our annual Christmas Craft Show in the Shop and Gallery will be offering unusual and special gifts for this festive time of year.
Opens Tuesday 28 November until 2pm Friday 22 December.
Meet the Artists
The Neroche Artists feature in a multi media exhibition including a wide range of artwork from sculpture to paintings.
MEET the ARTISTS: Saturday November 4 at 3pm - all welcome.
Entrance is free.
Exhibition runs from October 31 - November 25.
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9.30am - 3pm.
On the final day the exhibition will close by 1pm.
Neroche
The Neroche Artists feature in a multi media exhibition including a wide range of artwork from sculpture to paintings.
Meet the Artists: Saturday November 4 at 3pm - all welcome.
Entrance is free.
Exhibition runs from October 31 - November 25.
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9.30am - 3pm.
On the final day the exhibition will close by 1pm.
Our Amazing Planet
10 artists including wide range of styles and media exploring our amazing planet, with paintings, fused glass, photography and crafts.
Entrance is free.
Exhibition runs from October 3 - 28.
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9.30am - 3pm.
On the final day the exhibition will close by 1pm.
Meet the Artist
Joanna will be available to chat to visitors about her work on Thursday morning September 7 in the Gallery.
Entrance is free.
Exhibition runs from September 5 - 30.
Aspects of Water
Joanna Commings’ solo exhibition in the Café Gallery.
Bright, colourful paintings worked in acrylics, celebrating the natural world.
Entrance is free.
Exhibition runs from September 5 - September 30.
Joanna will be available to chat to visitors about her work on Thursday morning September 7 in the Gallery.
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9.30am - 3pm.
On the final day the exhibition will close by 1pm.