The Sherborne Celebrates a New Cultural Chapter

A Midsummer Evening of Myth, Mural and New Beginnings

The Sherborne was filled with art, music, conversation and celebration on Tuesday 2 June, as 160 guests joined us for Myth & Mural, a special evening marking the beginning of our next chapter.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Sir James Thornhill’s extraordinary staircase mural, The Calydonian Boar Hunt, and with Sir Quentin Blake’s joyful new mural, The Joy of the Frog, bringing another burst of imagination to the building, the evening brought together artists, performers, supporters, friends and members of the local community for a gathering rooted in heritage, contemporary creativity and shared ambition.

It was wonderful to welcome so many people into the building to join us on our journey, as The Sherborne continues to grow as a home for arts and culture in the South West. With drinks and canapés flowing, the evening offered space for conversation about creativity, community, and the role The Sherborne can play in bringing nationally significant art and cultural experiences to this beautiful historic market town.

Guests were serenaded throughout the house by The Baron and Foster, whose performances moved between the playful and the unexpected. From impromptu saw playing and sea shanties echoing through the smaller rooms of the building, to a full rendition accompanied by Richard Thomas Jones on harpsichord, their music brought a spirit of delight and discovery to the evening.

Isobel Smith’s musical teapot was a theatrical delight, while her beautiful and beguiling transformation, or metamorphosis, through the large screen added a striking contemporary flourish to the night.

A particular highlight was hearing Mat Collishaw take to the stage to speak about the creation of his powerful exhibition, Last Meal on Death Row, Texas. We are hugely grateful to Mat for making the evening part of what was already a very long day, having travelled from Los Angeles that morning, and for sharing such generous insight into this deeply thought-provoking body of work.

The evening was both a celebration and a statement of intent: a glimpse of The Sherborne’s unfolding cultural programme, and of our commitment to bringing people together through art, performance, food, conversation and ideas.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. It was a wonderful success, and a meaningful moment in the story of what comes next.