THE RICH and sometimes overlooked folk culture of Wessex will be celebrated in a major new exhibition opening at The Salisbury Museum next month.

Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex opens on Saturday, February 7 and runs until Sunday, May 10, bringing together more than 100 objects that explore how folk art, seasonal customs and traditions have been shaped by communities across the region.

Drawing on collections from Wessex Museums – including Dorset, Poole, Salisbury, Swindon and Wiltshire – as well as the Museum of British Folklore and private lenders, the exhibition re-examines the idea of the “commoner”.

It highlights the extraordinary skill, imagination and creativity found in folk art made by self-taught artists and everyday makers.

Among the highlights is a handcrafted Wiltshire sweetheart pincushion made by a First World War veteran, a rare ship painstakingly constructed entirely from straw that reflects Poole’s maritime heritage and a striking portrait by a Nigerian artist created while seeking asylum in Swindon.

The exhibition also looks beyond historic objects.

Newly commissioned films, photography and an interactive Folk Song and Story Map bring Wessex’s folk calendar to life, charting events from the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge to May Day celebrations in Cerne Abbas.

Together, the displays show how folk traditions in Wessex have been passed down, adapted and reimagined over time, blending traditional crafts with contemporary voices and new interpretations.

Director of The Salisbury Museum Adrian Green said: “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 run alongside the exhibition, including talks, guided walks, live music, a Spring Fayre and collaborative projects with schools and community groups.

The exhibition is supported by Wessex Museums, Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Museum of British Folklore.

The Salisbury Museum, located in the medieval King’s House opposite Salisbury Cathedral, is open daily from 10am to 5pm.