Course details
A ten month intensive course to develop you as an artist, enabling you to find and express your individual creative voice. Led by a personal tutor and a host of guest artists.
The Porthmeor Programme is a unique opportunity to find and develop your individual creative voice over the course of 10 months. Making is at the heart of it. We combine professional guidance and support with 1-1 tutorials with our lead artist, and practical making workshops led by guest artists.
We restrict the class to a small group size so there is a generous amount of tutor time alongside a close, supportive peer group. Many students go on to exhibit together and establish valuable long term networks. We have now run the Porthmeor Programme for 10 years, guiding over 100 students through our unique programme so far.
This developmental art course will take you on a journey with the primary purpose of expanding your personal practice. Running through the programme is the development of your critical voice through personal projects, one to ones and group crits.
You will learn to develop key ‘creative muscles’: risk taking and experimentation alongside the art of translation and interpretation.
Monthly Workshops
Our three day workshops run over weekends alongside individual 1-1 tutorials with the lead tutor. Students have said how much they value having three full days in the studio, allowing time to create, reflect, discuss and critique without pressure. Below is an indication to the content of the workshop weekends.
27 February – 1 March
Introduction with Kate Southworth on Friday
Saturday/Sunday Motivation Through Materials with Kitty Hillier Encouraging experimentation and play, working with acrylics, collage and mixed media, loosening your approach to making art.
27 – 29 March
Harnessing Chance In Painting – Kate Southworth
During the weekend you will work with automatic techniques of image making to allow your unconscious creativity to emerge unhindered, discovering new ways to tap into your creativity in a freer, less self-conscious way.
24 – 26 April
Finding Your Voice Through Nature – Greg Humphries
Using memories and sketches gathered from a Special Place, Greg will demonstrate charcoal drawing, acrylic painting and glazing and discuss the process of simplification to abstraction within nature.
22 – 24 May
Dreams & Drives – Ilker Cinarel
What is your individual artistic practice? And what is your working method? Over the weekend, Ilker will help you to define these for yourself, through group discussion and practical exercises that involve writing, expressive drawing and model making.
18 – 21 June
New dimensions 2D to 3D and back again – Camilla Dixon
Develop Your Painting and Creative Potential Through 3D Abstraction and Exploration. Playful, experimental exercises will help you to loosen up and widen your creative curiosity, flexibility and confidence.
4 – 6 September
Finding The Essence – Rachael Kantaris
Distil your ideas into simple forms and explore a variety of print making techniques using full sized professional presses at the historic Porthmeor Print Workshop.
2 – 4 October
Revitalise – Jill Eisele
This weekend will be about gestural and risk taking mark making using materials such as oil paints and oil bars. Move forward in your artwork, with practical inspirational ideas that feed in to your practice, focusing on the random, the sensory, and individual responses to all things visual.
6 – 8 November
Closing Weekend with Kate Southworth
Spend three full days in our historic studios as the fully fledged artists you have become. You will each be focusing on your own work, with one to one tutorials, guided and supported by Kate.
How much contact time is there with the tutors?
Every month there will be a 3 day workshop involving a guest artist and your lead tutor and you will have a personal 1 to 1 tutorial.
We also have a bespoke online platform for your group to discuss and share work on, offering peer support and encouragement.
What happens when the programme ends?
We have a number of offers for those who would like to touch base again and refresh. These include artist retreats ranging from three to five days.
How is the programme structured?
Over 8 long weekends, you will enjoy a mix of individual tutorials and guidance from our lead tutor, accompanied by a structured and varied creative programme taught by our guest artists. Each weekend runs over three days, 4-6 weeks apart, with a break over Summer.
The lead tutor gets to know and your work in depth and you will have the benefit of a variety of guest artists who give you a different perspective on your work.
Our guest artists are: Greg Humphries, Camilla Dixon, Kitty Hillier, Ilker Cinarel, Jill Eisele and Emily Roberts.
How much does it cost?
Total fee £3,400 (equivalent to £425 per weekend)
Instalment plans are available.
It was like pressing a light switch that I hadn’t realised was off. If you are looking for something different, then apply – it might just change your life.
Sue Watt, Porthmeor Programme
Timings and Breaks
Each weekend will run 10.00 – 16.30 on the first day, then 9.30 – 16.00 on Saturday and Sunday.
What to Bring
All materials will be provided for you in the studio, but you are always welcome to bring any of your favourite items if you prefer.
Listen to our Porthmeor Programme Alumnus
What skills will I learn?
The sessions are varied, and most people will come across a new technique or nugget of information they will find valuable. However, the primary focus is not on developing your painting skills in these sessions. It is about discovery, taking risks and gaining insights.
We design the sessions to limber up your creative practice, to energize and to build the critical voice you need as an artist. We are happy to advise you on our shorter courses online and face to face that offer a range of practical skills development.
To help you supplement the Programme with practical learning we off a 15% discount on all our online sessions.
Who would this course suit?
This will suit both early stage artists and those with more experience who are looking to challenge and stimulate their practice. We believe that developing a strong practice is where you start. Rather than focusing on the secrets to gaining gallery representation, making a living as an artist, or simply improving your painting techniques, the emphasis should be on your growth as an artist.
Our diverse range of weekend workshops offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects, materials, and techniques. Each workshop is designed to enhance your skills and empower you to push your creative boundaries. This journey of self-discovery is a crucial and exhilarating step, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Please get in touch if you would like one of our team to give you a call to discuss whether the programme is right for you and answer any questions you may have. You can arrange this by emailing us at [email protected]
Taught by
In Conversation
Gwynne Perry
We caught up with Gwynne Penny, whilst visiting ‘Ebb & Flow’, one of three successful exhibitions put on by MAC | RAGS.
Alison Cook
We caught up with Alison Cook, an alumnus of the Porthmeor Programme Online, as she talks through her practice.
Sue Watt
We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme.
FAQs
Studio Courses
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
How do I get my work home?
Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.
For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.
What do I need to bring?
Absolutely nothing! All materials and aprons are provided although some people do like to bring their own set of brushes.
What do I do for lunch?
Courses allow an hour’s break for lunch and there are numerous places nearby or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the studio.
What times do courses run?
Most of our courses start at 10am and end at 4.30pm on the first day. Subsequent days we start at 9.30am ending at 4pm.
Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.
If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.
Booking a Course
How can I reserve a place?
We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.
You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.
About St Ives
Where do I park?
The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith Car Park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.
How do I get there?
Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.
Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.
Where can I stay?
St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.
Apply
Thank you for your interest in this artist development programme, which aims to help you discover and refine your individual creative voice, strengthen your practice and grow your confidence. We want to make sure the Porthmeor Programme is good fit for you and you need to be able to commit fully to benefit the most of your experience. Please tell us about you, your relevant art experiences, why you would like to join the programme and why this is a good time in your life. Please include 4 or 5 images of your work.
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