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.
James Robertson - The Shetlander who mapped Jamaica
In a joint project with the National Library of Scotland, and supported by Museums Galleries Scotland, Shetland Museum and Archives staff will explore the life and work of James Robertson, a Shetlander who made the first detailed map of Jamaica.
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Holbein Exhibition
Shetland Museum and Archives
The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2018: 4 May to 15 July. Hans Holbein the Younger - A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling, (Anne Lovell?), about 1526-8, oil on oak
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At Sea and Ashore
Da Gadderie
‘At Sea and Ashore’, is a showcase of four Shetland fishermen's own photographs.
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From Page to Stage - Islesburgh Drama Group
Da Gadderie
There’s no business like show business, and that’s certainly true as Islesburgh Drama Group presents from Page to Stage - a new and exciting exhibition at Da Gadderie in the Shetland Museum & Archives.
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Angela Hunt – ‘Shetland Locations’
Da Gadderie
Paintings in the exhibition depict landscape and heritage informed by influences from design and fine art perspectives.
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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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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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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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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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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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