This summer, twenty three local people discovered a new way of being seen – not on canvas, but through sound. Their unique “sound portraits” will now be shared in a new exhibition at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens opening on 29th September 2025.

The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells worked with Epiphany Music and Flock (Shepton Mallet) to create these portraits, offering a fresh take on the traditional idea of portraiture. Each sitter was invited to simply be present while their portrait was composed live in music, capturing mood, character and spirit through sound.

Gill Sakakini, Pioneer Priest of the Arts from Flock in Shepton Mallet, joined Epiphany Music to bring the project to life. Together with the Palace community, they offered a truly memorable and moving experience to those who took part.

Feedback from participants shows just how powerful the process was:

• “Thank you for enveloping me with your healing music, it was restorative and inspirational.”
• “What a wonderful experience to have my portrait sonically painted. Thank you all ever so much for such a unique and personal moment.”
• “I was thrilled to have it done and will enjoy re-listening to it as it is so beautiful and unique to me!”
• “It was a privilege about which I have not stopped talking!”

We would like to thank Epiphany Music, Gill Sakakini and all those from Wells and Shepton Mallet who bravely took a leap of faith by sitting for their sound portrait.

Siobhan Goodwin, Community Engagement Manager at the Palace, said: “It was a joy to watch people open themselves to such a new and creative form of portraiture. The music brought something deeply personal to each sitter, and the feedback shows just how much it touched them. We are proud to host projects that celebrate both community and creativity here at the Palace, and we look forward to sharing the sonic portraits with visitors in this exhibition.”

The exhibition is included with admission to the Palace.