A new major exhibition, Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex, opens at The Salisbury Museum on Saturday, 7th February 2026. Celebrating the rich folk art, traditions, and seasonal customs of Wessex, the exhibition explores how folk culture has been shaped by communities past and present.
Created by and for the people, folk culture reflects everyday life, belief, and creativity. Un/Common People redefines the traditional idea of the “commoner” by revealing the extraordinary skill and imagination found in folk art made by self-taught artists and makers.
The exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of more than 100 objects from Wessex Museums (Dorset, Poole, Salisbury, Swindon, and Wiltshire), the Museum of British Folklore, and private lenders. Highlights include a handcrafted Wiltshire sweetheart pincushion made by a First World War veteran; a rare ship crafted entirely from straw, reflecting Poole’s maritime heritage; and a poignant portrait by a Nigerian artist created while seeking asylum in Swindon.
Alongside the objects, visitors will experience newly commissioned films, photography, and a Folk Song and Story Map that capture the rhythm of the Wessex folk calendar — from the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge to May Day celebrations in Cerne Abbas.
This exhibition showcases how Wessex’s folk traditions have been embraced, reimagined, and enriched over time, blending traditional crafts with contemporary voices and new interpretations.
Adrian Green, Director of The Salisbury Museum, comments: “Un/Common People reveals the extraordinary creativity behind everyday folk traditions. It celebrates how Wessex’s communities—past and present—continue to shape a living, evolving folk culture.”
A programme of folk-themed events will accompany the exhibition, including talks, guided walks, and live music, a Spring Fayre, and collaborative projects with local schools and community groups.
Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex is made possible with the support of Wessex Museums, Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Museum of British Folklore.
