To fulfil the demand of the many shipbuilders, owners and crew who had such pride in their ships in the mid-18th century, there emerged the humble port painter. They were journeyman artists, sometimes ex-seamen who relied on the patronage of seafaring folk, becoming known as 'Pierhead Painters'.

Watchet had its own such artist , one Thomas Chidgey, who painted many of the ships and scenes of Watchet Harbour. The Museum holds a small collection of his work which is described as a 'naive' but accurate marine art form, providing social standing in a closely knit maritime community.