Following popular showcases at The Thomas Poole Library in January / February and Chard Guildhall in March, the Quantock Nature Calling artwork continued its journey around Somerset to settle at the beautiful St Mary’s Church, North Petherton.

With thanks to Rev Dean and Dora at St Mary’s for a warm welcome, pictured above with Mayor of North Petherton Linda Hyde, Bill Revans (Somerset Council) and Beccy Swaine (SAW).

Over 6 months in 2025, the project saw local communities come together to investigate and celebrate the significance of African birds sharing the Quantock landscape. Through community, culture, and creativity, the project journeyed into the hearts of heathland and hills, helping to unlock the stories of how we come to call this place home.

Further opportunities to view the artwork and meet the migratory birds that were made by the AfriQuan community during our Quantock Nature Calling project include:

National Trust Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey from May 6th
Fyne Court, Quantock Hills, 11-26 July
Somerset Art Weeks, Ilminster Arts Centre, 19 Sept – 3 Oct
*other venues to be announced

National Trust Coleridge Cottage

This project is a collaboration between Somerset Art Works, with lead artist Luan MacDonald, and the Quantock Hills National Landscape, as part of the Nature Calling national arts initiative. https://quantock-nature-calling.org/

Photography: Jon Barrett