From Painting To Pottery: An Insight Into Cornwall’s Art Scene

Cornwall is overflowing with artistic heritage and unique hotspots for all the painters, photographers or potters. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or are looking for new material to experiment with, step into Cornwall, where galleries, exhibitions and showcases sit on every corner. The art scene offers potential for all styles of artwork, from sand art and pieces inspired by the sea, to charming illustrations, featuring everything Cornwall has to offer.

Falmouth

Falmouth is the home of the creative arts university, which has been a fabulous school for makers for over 120 years. With courses in fashion, photography, game design and so many more variations of creative studies, Falmouth University has recently been chosen as the Number One Arts University in the UK, as voted by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. 

Falmouth is a buzzing maritime town with a picturesque harbour and a handful of gorgeous beaches, providing the ultimate spot for gathering inspiration for your next artistic piece. The hubbub of the town centre contrasts significantly against the idyllic coast paths, which surround the golden sands of Gyllyngvase, Swanpool, Castle and Maenporth Beach, so there’s a point of interest for all varieties of artists. With the university down the road, there’s often a number of eager students admiring the unforgettable sights of Falmouth, equipped with either a camera or a pencil, preparing for their next project. A number of team members at Cornish Gems attended Falmouth University and graduated with great success, after enjoying a memorable few years in this artistic hotspot.

For those who prefer to admire the work of local artists, there’s a number of incredible galleries, debuting their fantastic varied pieces. In the centre of Falmouth, The Poly is a cultural centre that frequently hosts exhibitions, alongside indie films or even live performances. If you’re feeling inspired during your visit to The Poly, this centre often holds workshops for the keen crafters or absolute beginners, in a plethora of activities, including creative writing or pottery.

Falmouth is lucky to have a huge range of independent brands and galleries, painted across the high street. Beside The Wave is a unique gallery, featuring some spectacular fine art, with emphasis on contemporary styles and mediums. Since being established in 1989, this amazing gallery exhibits local artists, who are largely inspired by the phenomenal Cornish landscape, and the themes that are rooted within the love of the land. All of the artwork is available to purchase within the store, so keep your eyes peeled for your next home accessory or decoration.

St Ives

Known to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK, St Ives also has a flourishing art scene. With inspiration on every corner, this seaside town shows picture-perfect views, ideal for anyone looking to delve into their blue mind. This quirky Cornish town is packed with character, from the higgedly-piggedly cobblestone streets, to the quintessential white-washed cottages, that are perched against the sea shore.

Known to be one of the oldest working artists’ studios in the UK, Porthmeor Studios sits with the unspoilt view of the beach below. These studios are particularly unique, as the artists in residence share their space with working fishermen, in the cellars below. Over time, there have been various artists working within the 22 studios, including Francis Bacon, Ben Nicholson, Frances Hodgkins and Terry Frost. For artists that are inspired by the sea, there is no better place than St Ives to practise their work.

Porthmeor Beach is just one of the stunning beaches that St Ives has to offer, along this postcard-perfect stretch of west Cornwall coastline. It’s proven that being around the sea is beneficial for our mental health, as we can connect with our blue mind and feel absorbed into the endless beauty of the ocean. Whether you’re wandering around a seaside gallery, dining in a harbourside eatery or catching some rays across the coast path, there’s a number of places in this quirky town that will help you discover true serenity, with the beach as an idyllic backdrop.

Tate St Ives is positioned just across from Porthmeor Beach, where the majestic, seaside light floods through the entire gallery. Showing a range of modern art, casting from sculptural pieces to traditional paint works, this stunning gallery exhibits something for all aspiring artists. With pieces created by Barbara Hepworth, Marlow Moss and many more influential artists, this renowned gallery offers inspiration from over several decades. In case this coastal art space wasn’t unique enough, Tate St Ives is known to be the first museum in the country that follows the period of artistic rebirth, after Morocco’s independence and exhibits the experimental teaching methods of the Casablanca Art School in the 1960s and 1970s.

Newlyn

Tucked away in the west coast, the quaint town of Newlyn sits between Penzance and Mousehole. It’s known to have one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK, with over 40 acres of harbour. For those interested in the classic Cornish quirks and traditions, Newyln is a gorgeous quintessential village, with heaps of fabulous spots, that inspiration can be drawn from, whether you’re a seafood lover or an admirer of the hubbub of the harbour.

The art scene in Newlyn was brought to life with the Newlyn School Of Painters, which included artists such as Stanhope Forbes, Walter Langley, Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes, Norman Garstin, T.C. Gotch and Henry Scott Tuke. These artists grouped in Newlyn, after taking residence across the globe, and were largely inspired by Cornwall’s fishing scene, amongst other fabulous finds in our small county. Following the creation of this fantastic group, the Newlyn Art Gallery opened in 1895, with the intention of becoming an exhibition space for this unique set of artists. Today, the gallery is still up and running, with a huge array of long-term and interchanging exhibitions, debuting work from a variety of creatives.

Further along the coast, the equally charming village of Mousehole sits a stone’s throw away from Newlyn. This picturesque destination adorns a gorgeous harbour, which is stacked in nautical history. The rich heritage of this cosy village is visible across much of Mousehole, from the narrow streets to the granite cottages, blended across the harbour. The landscape of the wild west makes perfect material for a series of artwork that you may be planning, along with the fascinating history that is evident throughout many of Cornwall’s old towns.

Across The County

The art scene in Cornwall isn’t limited to these towns, as there’s a huge number of hotspots across the county that contribute to the amazing artistry. Tucked away in the cliffside of Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre is an incredible open-air theatre, showcasing a variety of performances, live music shows and so much more. Whether you’re coming to enjoy a show, or simply take a tour around the gorgeous structure of the theatre, along with the sub-tropical gardens, the whole family can embrace a trip to this unique hotspot by the coast.

Throughout the year, Cornwall hosts a number of festivals and celebrations, to intrigue all types of art-enthusiasts. Typically taking place in October, the Falmouth Book Festival invites all creative-writers, authors, poets and other variations of book fans to gather for a celebration of all things literature. With a plethora of talks from industry professionals, amongst inspiring workshops, the 2024 programme is already in the works and the team are preparing for another successful year.

For those that love to make or listen to music, the Woodfired Sessions at Polurrian On The Lizard are not to be missed. Commencing weekly, these unique live music shows exhibit musical excellence by a variety of performers, from acoustic guitarists, folk singers and many more driven musicians. All of this can be enjoyed, whilst munching on some classic wood-fired pizzas and sipping on your favourite cocktail. Even better yet, these events are free!