Exhibitions

There are a number of exhibition spaces and feature display areas throughout the Museum and Archives building. The artefacts and works on display change regularly and details of our current shows are listed here.

The Museum and Archives is managed by the Shetland Amenity Trust, a small charity caring for Shetland's natural and cultural heritage. It is free to visit the Museum and Archives and to view our ever changing and exciting exhibitions. Donations are welcomed to help the Trust care for the collections and our heritage both now and in the future.

The main exhibition space is Da Gadderie. Shows on display here can be by individual artists, or curated by the Museum's own Exhibitions Officer based on Museum and Archive artefacts, or including touring exhibitions from other musuems, galleries or institutions. Details of some of the previous high profile shows are included on the Our Own Shows Archive page.

Any artist who would like to display work in the building should contact the Exhibitions Officer to discuss.

Current Exhibitions

Logical Confusion – a retrospective exhibition of the artistry of Mike McDonnell

25/11/2023 - 25/02/2024
Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives

A themed exhibition of Mike McDonnell's work which shows the diversity of his work as an artist, community artist, informal educator and creative initiator. 

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Harriet's Portrait

23/09/2023 - 19/11/2024
Upper Gallery, Shetland Museum

As part of the BBC's 'Extraordinary Portraits', UK artist Stuart Pearson Wright was commissioned to paint a portrait of Harriet Middleton in recognition of her incredible fundraising efforts for the Shetland MRI Scanner appeal.

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On Top of the World

02/06/2023 - 28/07/2024
Upper Gallery, Shetland Museum

In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tanzing Norgay became the first humans to summit Mount Everest. Their climbing equipment included knitted jumpers made in Shetland.

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John Johnson: Hobby Artist at Sea

01/11/2022 - 31/12/2023
Da Neuk, Upper Viewing Area, Shetland Museum & Archives

An exhibition of paintings and ships in bottles by Shetland resident John Johnson, a merchant seaman who was born in Papa Stour in 1873. Ships and the sea were his favourite subjects, and as an amateur artist he painted local scenes depicting seascapes and landscapes.

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