Exploring Glastonbury's Art Scene: A Local's Guide
From Murals to Magic: A Creative Tour of our beautiful town.
Glastonbury isn't just about the music festival - it's a thriving hub for artists, makers, and dreamers. At Heart of The Tribe, we're proud to be part of this creative community. Here's how to experience the best of Glastonbury's art scene, with a local’s guide by our very own in house creative, Kim von Coels
Start at Heart of The Tribe
Our gallery at 74 High Street is your gateway to Glastonbury’s art scene. Browse contemporary works, chat with our friendly team, and relax with a hot drink in our award-winning garden, a hidden oasis in the heart of town. With several exhibitions a year displaying a wide range of original art, artist residency’s, workshops and community events, there’s always something to inspire you.
The Town Centre
Our high street is full of unique businesses that showcase local creative talent.
Painters, photographers, sculptors and crafts people can be found dotted all over the place. Some of our favourites include;
Phillipa Bowers incredible goddess inspired sculptures at Phillipa Bowers. Rachel Reilly’s wearable wire art at Facets of Avalon. Linda Ravenscroft with her fantasy art and magical beings at the Mystic Garden Gallery. Michelle Cowbourne at Visions of Somerset, who specialises in photographs of The Tor (Also check out the work of Kev Pearson and Mike Jefferies if you like beautiful photos of the local landscape) and Angies Folk Art for whimsical drawings in the Gauntlet.
You may be lucky enough to stumble across some pavement art by Lisa or Gav. Throughout the summer months you will find Lisa creating her pictures near St. John’s church opposite the Co-op or Gav chalking vibrant mandalas on the corner opposite the Market Cross. No one can say that our town isn’t colourful.
Art & Food
Why not pop into Happy Glastonbury Art Cafe, with original art by Marianna and Lisa Sheldrake, and enjoy some delicious cake and coffee.
The Lazy Gecko and My Fine Deli showcase work by various local artists which you can check out whilst feasting on a yummy breakfast or lunch.
And to top it all off, why not treat yourself to a gourmet dinner at Queen of Cups restaurant where you can also find a selection of original works by artists such as Dianne Harris, Aga Kubish, Kim von Coels and Oksana Gaidasheva.
Local Crafts People
Art comes in all shapes and sizes and these shops have plethora of makers
The Wytches Cave & Dandelion Dreamz are two collectives that showcase a variety of local makers and crafts people. From taxidermy to crochet, dreamcatchers and magic wands, these shops have endless wonders for you to discover, things that will remind you of the magic of Glastonbury all whilst supporting small creative businesses.
If you fancy a little drive out of town for some art and nature, you can visit Somerset Crafts in Westhay, and combine your visit with a walk around the nature reserve.
Find local artists like painter Sandra Brant or Ceramacist Donna Norton at our weekly Tuesday Market in St Dunstan’s Car Park or head to the Town Hall and discover a plethora of makers at the weekly Craft Market.
Creative Services
For those of you who are creative and are looking for useful services we have
Glastonbury Galleries who offer Professional framing services. As well as having a great selection of art on display and a mini exhibition room for weekly hire.
Blue Cedar Printwork’s where you can get quality printing, scanning and art photography, plus help with graphic design etc.
and Dickett’s the Stationers which stock a wide range of art supllies and lots of other goodies.
The Glastonbury Mural Trail
Follow the town's vibrant street art, from mystical creatures to landscapes and classic graffiti styles. The Mural Trail has become one of Glastonbury's most beloved cultural attractions. And it’s totally free!!! Pick up a map at our gallery and explore at your own pace.
For those of you who are interested in Graffiti and Street Art we recommend checking out Styles of Somerset, who organise regular paint jams in the local area and Lost Projects - our indoor skatepark which also has regular creative events.
Get Involved
Fancy joining in? Why not try your hand at Life drawing, get a soul portrait from Robin, join a workshop at the Temple of Creative Arts or have a lesson from Ioannis Antoniadis at the Glastonbury School of Art
Join a life drawing class -
Thursday Mornings 10-12 at St Edmunds Hall on Windmill Hill (contact Richard Field - rjgfield@gmail.com)
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 2-4pm at the Draycott Memorial Hall, Latches Lane. (contact draycottartclub.mendip@gmail.com)
Friday mornings 10-12:30 at Easton Village Hall BA5 1EP (contact Ross Wallis 07976069695)
Monday Evenings with Robin - contact him direct via Facebook - Robin Lukas Francis - or glastonburysb@gmail.com
Get yourself a soul portrait at Rainbow Om Studio in the Glastonbury Experience Courtyard, or let your creativity flow in a HeArt Circle - also enquire about the ‘Glastonbury Sketch club’ if you fancy regular meets with like minded individuals.
Get some painting lessons from Ioannis Antoniadis in the Glastonbury School of Art, or take part in one of the many workshops at the Heavenly Path Art Gallery
Discover a variety of creative offerings with Susie Quartermass and friends within the goddess community at the Temple of Creative Arts.
Join the Abbey House Art Group which offers a unique and inspiring environment for artists of all levels. Meeting monthly, the group receives quality instruction across a range of disciplines from throughout the history of art.
Seasonal Events
There’s always something interesting going on in Glastonbury Town. If you want to see culture and creativity in the form of costume and theatre then come to one of our bi-anual dragon marches, watch the country’s brightest illuminated carnival, explore artist studios during September’s Somerset Art Weeks, attend a fairy ball, march with the Zombies, dance around a May Pole at Beltane or experience unique Christmas shopping at our Frost Fayre. Visit Glastonbury.uk , or read the Normal for Glastonbury Blog to find out more.
Zigzag Building
The most unique and exciting exhibition space in Glastonbury can be found on the top floor of the ZigZag Building. An old factory on the A39, on the outskirts of Glastonbury which gets its name from its distinct roof shape. Run by the charismatic Chris Black, the ZigZag building has hosted fabulous exhibitions, performances, talks and community events for the past decade with regular feature exhibitions during Somerset Art Weeks.
Melanie Thompson, Fiona Campbell, Megan Players, Dianne Milstein, Katherine Ashworth,. Duncan Cameron, The Red Dress, Kim von Coels, Julia Bedford, Penelope O’Gara, and more.
The town also has a thriving music scene, with regular live bands at the King Arthur, concerts in our various churches, outdoor events at Glastonbury Abbey and open mic nights or blues jams at various pubs. Please check out Glastonbury.uk or glastonburyoracle.co.uk for upcoming events.
