News & Events
Downalong in St Ives is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets, fishermens cottages converted sail lofts and pilchard palaces. They radiate from a harbour which has appeared in countless paintings. The Mariner’s Church, opposite Lowenna in Church Place and home of the St Ives Society of Artists, forms a majestic foil to the jumble of smaller buildings and can be seen from almost every vantagepoint. It is also in a central location in the story of the artists’ colony.
The Tate St Ives Gallery opened in 1993 and presents exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary art alongside works from the Tate collection. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden exhibits sculptures placed by this foremost 20th century artist who died in 1975.
The recently restored Leach Pottery Museum and Studios in St Ives is now open. The pottery was founded by the eminent potter Bernard Leach, who died in1979.
A pleasant bus or train ride away, Penzance is host to the Penlee House Gallery and Museum, which exhibits more traditional paintings from the 19th and 20th century, many from the Newlyn School and Lamorna Group of artists.
Capital of the Duchy of Cornwall, Truro with its grand Georgian buildings, has at its heart the magnificent victorian Cathedral.
Along the rugged coast from St Ives is the village of Zennor, a rewarding destination for a walk through dramatic coastal scenery studded with lichen tinted rocky outcrops and purple heathered vistas. Zennor has an ancient church and delightful pub The Tinner’s Arms, where well-earned refreshment can be enjoyed. The Wayside Folk Museum is also well worth a visit.
There are many other galleries and places of interest along this stimulating coastline. An open topped bus runs round the scenic route from St Ives to Penzance, so exploring the area becomes an adventure.
