Arts Exhibition

A wonderful prelude to Festival Fortnight

The Somerton Arts Exhibition, held at the end of May as a prelude to Festival Fortnight, drew to a close after a highly successful week.

Almost 700 visitors came to browse the impressive range of exhibits and vote for their favourite works. Thank you to everyone who visited, voted and supported the exhibition.

People’s choice: 1st Place

People’s Choice: 2nd Place

People’s Choice: 3rd Place

Visitors’ Choice: Top 10

  1. Biker Jock — David Clinch
  2. St Lawrence Church — Roger Thomas
  3. Two in the Crowd — Judy Bugden
  4. Dignity — David Clinch
  5. Steps — Judy Bugden
  6. Swan on River Parrett — Tony Lloyd
  7. The Puddle — Suzanne Wilson
  8. Ewegenie — Elaine Marks (joint eighth)
    Inside Outside — Tony Cove (joint eighth)
  9. Pride — Stephen Snell

Congratulations to David Clinch, whose Biker Jock was voted visitors’ favourite, and to every artist who contributed their fantastic work for everyone to enjoy.

Click on an image below and then scroll through to view our gallery of exhibits.

What visitors said

“What a talented bunch! Love the variety of media.”

“A real challenge to choose three – such a stimulating exhibition.”

“I’ve just been to the Bath and West Art Show, and this exhibition knocks it out of the water. Such talent, and displayed better too!”

A heartfelt thank you goes to the hard-working team of organisers for putting on another amazing exhibition.

Festival Events

Full details of all events will be shown here as and when they are confirmed. Please keep an eye on our socials for information!

ARTS EXHIBITION

Start: Saturay 23rd May
End:  Saturday 30th May

Cost: This is a FREE event

Opening Times:

Saturday 23rd 10am – 4pm
Sunday 24th 10am – 1pm
Monday 25th 10am – 4pm
Tuesday 26th 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 27th 10am – 4pm
Thursday 28th 10am – 4pm
Friday 29th 10am – 4pm
Saturday 30tht 10am – 1pm

Venue: Parish Rooms

The Arts Exhibition is kindly sponsored by Join Rickard and Wendy Smart

CRAFT EVENTS

Several FREE events are being held at Somerton Library throughout the Arts Exhibition week:

Display of Craft work by Knit & Natter
(all week during library opening times)

Wildlife Themed Crafts for children
Sat 24th May 10.30am – 12pm

Children’s Knitting and Chrocheting
taster session with Knit & Natter
Wednesday 28th May 10.30am – 12pm

Learn to Crochet for adults with Sue McGregor
Wednesday 28th May 2pm – 4pm (booking essential)

Storytime for the Under 5s
Thursday 29th May 10.30am – 11am

Venue: 

Booking and information available at
Somerton Library, Cox’s Yard

Cost: All these events are FREE

Somerton Arts Exhibition

Parish Rooms  |  23rd – 30th May 2026


Recent Exhibits

The Somerton Arts Exhibition is the prelude to the annual Somerton Music & Arts Festival and is a regular and popular fixture of the local arts scene. The exhibition, which provides the opportunity for local artists and creatives to showcase their talent, is free to visit and will be open to the public daily from Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th May.

In addition to art and photography in many different formats, there will also be sculpture on display with many local artists taking part. Come and enjoy a browse around the exhibits – many of which are available to purchase.

              

The exhibition is split into four categories. Visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite three pieces across all categories, and at the end of the exhibition, a presentation will be made to the exhibitor with the most votes.


Exhibitor Information

How to Enter

To enter your work in the exhibition, please complete the entry form below by 8th May at the latest. Payment is via PayPal, though if you do not have a PayPal account and prefer to pay by debit or credit card, you can select this option when you click ‘submit’.

Confirmation of the acceptance of your exhibits will be sent by email as soon as your payment has been processed.

Work to be exhibited should be brought to the Parish Rooms between 9.30am and 11.30am on Friday 22nd May. Please ensure that your work is correctly labelled and that you have provided suitable means to display your work (see ‘Presenting your work’ below).

After the exhibition, work can be collected between 2pm and 3pm on Saturday 30th May. If you are unable to collect your work in person, please provide a signed note authorising and naming the person representing you.

All artists submitting their work are asked to please volunteer for at least one stewarding session during the exhibition.

Finally, please make sure that you have read the Conditions of Entry below.

Presenting your work

Each individual item of needlework, framed artwork, canvas or photography must carry two labels: the first should clearly detail the title of the piece, artists name, medium used and sale price. This label must attached to a piece of string and fastened to the back of the work.

A second, sticky label must be attached to the back of the item. This should clearly detail the title of the piece, the artist’s name, email address and phone number (This is useful if a buyer has further enquiries.

The maximum size for framed work or canvass, including the frame, 24″ x 30″ (60cm x 76cm). Frames must be included in the sale price.

All entries must be supplied with the means to display the work safely (eyelets or picture hooks in place with string / wire / cord attached).

Mounted pictures should be covered in cellophane to protect them. Cards must be individually priced and should be displayed in cellophane bags.

FRAMED & CANVAS ARTWORK & PHOTOGRAPHY

Maximum four pieces  Max size: 24″ x 30″ (60cm x 76cm)

All items to be provided with suitable means to hang and display the work already in place, i.e. eyelets or picture hooks with string / wire / cord attached

Frames must be included in the sale price

Entry Fee:
£3.00 per item

UNFRAMED ARTWORK & PHOTOGRAPHY

Maximum five unframed pieces  There is no size restriction.

Unframed items should be covered in cellophane to protect them and include  a label on the front showing the artist’s name, title of work and price.

Entry Fee:
£1.00 per item

FRAMED NEEDLEWORK

Maximum four pieces  Max size: 24″ x 30″ (60cm x 76cm).

Needlework should be an original creation but if produced from a kit, it must be labelled as such

Items to be provided with suitable means to hang and display the work already in place i.e. eyelets or picture hooks with string / wire / cord attached

Frames must be included in the sale price

Entry Fee:
£3.00 per item

SCULPTURE

Maximum four pieces.
Max size: 13″ x 13″ (35cm x 35cm)

Entry Fee:
£3.00 per item

CARDS

You may enter up to 50 cards. Cards must be individually priced and displayed in cellophane or similar protective covering and come with a means to display.

Entry Fee:
FREE

Conditions of Entry

The Organising Committee is the committee appointed by the Somerton Music & Arts Festival (SMAF) to run the Somerton Arts Exhibition

  • Entry forms must be submitted online by 8th May 2026.
  • No commercial work will be accepted
  • All work must be original and not exhibited in the previous year’s exhibition
  • Only one picture submitted can be ‘NOT FOR SALE’
  • It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to observe copyright laws as the Organising Committee will not accept liability for litigation / claims etc
  • Exhibitors are responsible for the insurance cover of their work. Exhibitors should check with their insurer / broker to ensure that appropriate cover is in place. Whilst every care is taken, the Organising Committee cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.
  • Commission of 15% will be charged by the Organising Committee on each sale
  • The appropriate remittance must be paid at the time of entry (see details on entry form)
  • The Organising Committee reserves the right to refuse pieces submitted which exceed the maximum size, have not been correctly labelled or do not have the means to display the work safely.
  • Any entries received after the closing date of 8th May will not be accepted.

Any information you submit in relation to entering exhibits in this exhibition will be retained in line with the SMAF Privacy Policy, a copy of which can be found at www.somertonartsfestival.co.uk/privacy

If you have any queries please contact Jackie 07778 006543 or email jackie1958cat@gmail.com  Alternatively, you can also email art@somertonartsfestival.co.uk. Please ensure that you have volunteered for at least one stewarding session during the exhibition. If you are unable to fulfill a stewarding duty at the last moment please notify Jackie on 07778 006543.

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