16 September – 18 November, 2023

Part of Sound of Yeovil, we present STORY OF D.I.Y., an exhibition telling the story of Yeovil through a collection of Yeovil-related music memorabilia, such as Fanzines, tickets, posters, original photos, along with an extensive archive of vintage recordings. 

Celebrating the wealth of creativity in Yeovil through home-made music and its visual manifestation, the exhibition brings together a comprehensive collection of music fanzines circulated in and around Yeovil from the 70s onwards, including All the Madmen, Feeding the Fish, Still Crazy, Human Debris, Clique, Screed and other one-off wonders. It also shows original photos, artworks and rare finds contributed by individuals, especially for this exhibition.

Apart from reflecting Yeovil’s rich music heritage and a glimpse of Yeovil’s social history, the exhibition provides insight into the D.I.Y. culture and the experimental spirit that long existed within our community. From a diverse range of music, visual artworks and expressions that amplify the voice of creativity, of those who were on the stage and behind the scenes. Exploring possibilities through collaborations, Yeovil continues to be a breeding ground for D.I.Y. music and art in the West Country. 

Acknowledgements

This exhibition is part of an ongoing archive project started in 2015 by the founder of EPS Yeovil, creative producer and sound artist Stephen Ives, who would like to thank the contributions from the creators and collectors for lending their original materials and sharing their stories.  Story of D.I.Y. is curated by Zoe Li in collaboration with Stephen Ives, with support from Simon Barber and the Yeovil Art Space team. 

The exhibition is part of Sound of Yeovil, a Story of Yeovil public programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, delivered by Yeovil Art Space on behalf of Yeovil Heritage and Art Working Group.

Alongside the exhibition, we are bringing together a programme of events for all ages until 18 November:

– Make your own Zine : Inspired by the exhibition to create a Zine from start to finish using DIY methods. Make a Zine about any subject you like, add images text or anything you feel to make a unique creation. Suitable for all ages. Drop in every Saturday 10 – 5pm to Yeovil Art Space, no booking required.

– Make your own Pint Mug Sound System : A fun DIY electronic workshop to build a Bluetooth speaker in a Festival beer mug from scratch. No experience is required, suitable for aged 16 and above. £15 each, all materials included. Saturday 21 October, 1-3.30pm at Yeovil Art Space.

– Share your stories : Join us to contribute sound and images for our Story of Yeovil Audio Visual Map. The perfect legacy for the Sound of Yeovil, creating a portal for diverse sounds and stories around the town which can be accessed from anywhere; using mobile phones or on a computer. Saturday 10 November, 3-5pm at Yeovil Art Space.