BEYOND Horizons, at Stoberry Park Gardens, overlooking Wells Cathedral, coinciding with this year’s Somerset Art Weeks and running from 5th September to 4th October, is the first of what is planned to be an annual open air sculpture exhibition, a month-long event bringing together more than 70 sculptors from across Somerset, UK and beyond.
Described as “A New Chapter for Somerset – Where Art, Nature and Community Meet,” Beyond Horizons invites visitors to experience contemporary sculpture in an extraordinary natural setting, where every path reveals a new discovery and every artwork begins a conversation between creativity and the landscape.
The exhibition has been carefully curated around the theme of Connectivity – exploring the many ways art can connect people with nature, with each other, with ideas and with place. Set amongst sweeping lawns, garden lake, woodland walks, with breathtaking panoramic views across the Somerset countryside, each sculpture has been thoughtfully positioned to create a dialogue with its surroundings. “It’s amazing how a garden comes alive with sculpture” says Frederick McDonald – one of the curatorial advisors, and founder-director of Fred Levine Gallery.
The work ranges from monumental outdoor sculpture to more intimate contemporary pieces, created by both established and emerging artists. Some pieces are bold and dramatic, pushing boundaries, while others quietly reveal themselves as visitors navigate winding paths and hidden corners. From delicate stitched leaves to large-scale collaborations responding to the site, some artworks are designed to grow, or be dismantled, moving away from traditional concepts to explore how sculpture relates to environment.
Beyond Horizons is about far more than sculpture. At its heart lies a commitment to giving back. Throughout the exhibition, local charities will play an integral role in welcoming visitors, with dedicated Charity Partnership Days helping to raise vital funds and awareness for organisations that make an extraordinary difference. Every visit becomes an opportunity not only to enjoy exceptional art but also to support remarkable causes that strengthen local communities.
Organisers Frances and Tim Meeres-Young explain: “We wanted to create something that brings together everything we care about – art, gardens, people and community. Beyond Horizons is not simply an exhibition; it is an experience. It celebrates creativity while supporting charities, showcasing talented sculptors and encouraging visitors to spend time in one of Somerset’s most beautiful landscapes. We hope it becomes something the county will look forward to every year.”
Beyond Horizons reflects a growing appreciation that gardens are living galleries where art, nature and people exist in harmony. As the seasons change, visitors will discover an ever-evolving landscape where light, colour and sculpture combine to create a different experience each time. Whether visitors come to collect sculpture, enjoy a peaceful walk through the gardens, meet the artists, support charities or simply spend time surrounded by beauty, Beyond Horizons offers a memorable day out for all ages.
Special events during the exhibition include two family friendly workshops, as part of Somerset Art Weeks – Make a Moss Chandelier, led by Jan Ollis, on Saturday, 3rd October; and Mini Textiles Hanging, led by Fiona Campbell, on Sunday, 4th October. The six-acre Stoberry Park landscaped grounds offer dramatic views of Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor.
The exhibiting artists include Candace Bahouth, Fiona Campbell, Julian Claxton, James Copper, Gordon Faulds, Zac Greening, Femi Idowu-Read, Ian Middleton, Jan Ollis and Joan Syckelmoore. Artists showing in the Orangery include Jackdaw Botanics, Kim Colebrook, Nigel Eveleigh, and Kate Westcott.
Pictured: Fiona Campbell with Flags of the Forest; In Nature, by Jan Ollis; sculptures by Joan Sycklemoore (background) and Ian Middleton (foreground; and a sculpture by Gordon Faulds, with Wells Cathedral in the background; photographs by Russell Each.