Our Own Shows
Some of our past exhibitions have been curated by Shetland Museum and Archives staff, or have been on loan for special display from national or international institutions.
We are proud to have a facility capable of exhibiting high profile, exiting shows which gives people in Shetland the opportunity to see, firsthand, iconic artefacts and items which, although may not be specific to Shetland's heritage, are nonetheless very important - and popular. Exhibitions on local subjects curated by our staff are also very popular and well visited. Examples of these are below.
View Full Size40 Years of Art at Shetland Museum
View Full SizeArmada Cannon
View Full SizeFocus display of merchant bottles
View Full SizeFrom Old Rock to New Life - Emigration Show
View Full SizeThe Lewis Chessmen
View Full SizeHigh Seas and High Teas - an exhibition of tea trading
View Full SizeSkaill Hoard
View Full SizeTaatit Rugs
View Full SizeTriceratops skull from the Hunterian Museum
View Full SizeWriting the North partnership exhibition
Gunnister Man, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. September 2009.
Gayer-Anderson Cat, loaned from The British Museum. September 2012.
Skaill Hoard exhibition, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. July 2013.
Gentle Giant, dinosaur exhibition in parternship with The Hunterian Museum,University of Glasgow. September 2013.
Writing the North exhibition, in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council, University of Edunburgh and Orkney Library. March 2014.
Blockade: 1914-1918. Self -curated exhibition on Shetlanders during WW1. August 2014.
Don McCullin Exhibition, in partnership with Shetland Arts, Artists Rooms, Tate and National Galleries Scotland. November 2014.
James Robertson map exhibition, in partnership with the National Library of Scotland. September 2015.
'Fair Game’ online exhibition
Online Exhibition
Shetland Museum and Archives has launched a major new online exhibition called ‘Fair Game’ as their part in the Between Islands project.
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Skovi Kapps Display
A collection of colourful Skovi Kapps which highlight Shetland’s trading and maritime links with Russia during the 19th century is now on display for the first time at the Shetland Museum.
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Fair Isle Chairs by Eve Eunson
Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick
An exciting exhibition of Fair Isle Chairs by local carpenter Eve Eunson was on display in Da Gadderie in Lerwick. In collaboration with the Shetland Museum and Archives, this exhibition gave an insight into the history, traditional craft and distinctive qualities of Fair Isle chairs.
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Scotland's Coasts
Da Gadderie
This exhibition, drawn from Historic Environment Scotland's archives, explores Scotland's relationship to the sea and its impact on everyday life.
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Men in tights
Da Gadderie
Our new photographic exhibition ‘Men in Tights’ focuses on Up Helly Aa squads from 1905 – 1923 which made use of a favourite UHA disguise – men dressed up as women.
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Sam Davies 'Capturing the Moody Sea' and Chris Rigby 'Eight Years On'
Da Gadderie
Two exhibitions in Da Gadderie. 'Capturing the Moody Sea' is a new series of works by Sam Davies where he shares his passion for Shetland's dramatic seascapes. 'Eight Years On' shows the development of Chris Rigby's interest in Shetland landscapes as he moves away from coastal scenes to the hinterlands of the lochs and peatlands.
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The Arthurs
Archives Entrance
A feature exhibition exploring Shetland surnames Arthur and Arthurson is now on display at the Shetland Museum and Archives. The collaboration between the Shetland Family History Society and the Museum and Archives is part of the society’s ‘Sharing Shetland Surnames’ project. Each year they collaborate on a feature exhibition with past years focusing on Shetland surnames Abernethy, Goudie and Robertson.
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Perception
Da Gadderie
This years end of year show brings together a diverse selection of artists. Some well-established in Shetland while others are starting to make their names in the local ever expanding visual arts market.
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Shetland Mariners in the Great War - compiled by Laughton Johnston
Upper Foyer, Shetland Museum and Archives
Over 1,750 Shetlanders were merchant seamen in the First World War, as civilians who had to brave enemy action. This exhibition highlights some of the new research that reveals the men and ships’ stories for the first time.
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Tom Teasdale - ‘Sunny Intervals’
Foyer Corridor, Shetland Museum and Archives
A photographic exhibition commissioned by the cultural attaché of the European Commission in the UK. The London based photographer is exhibiting a collection of black and white photographs documenting aspects of living on some of the furthest reaches of the United Kingdom in Scotland, focusing on Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.
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