Students learning on the porthmeor art programme

Porthmeor Programme (Studio)

Mixed Media / Personal Development

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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.

Hear more from our Lead Tutor, Kate Southworth

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, please note these are subject to change.

February
Introduction with Kate Southworth on Friday followed by New dimensions and Looking for Colour with 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.

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.

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.

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.

June
Motivation Through Materials with Kitty Hillier

Encouraging experimentation and play, working with acrylics, collage and mixed media, loosening your approach to making art.

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.

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.

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 £3,550
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.

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Listen to our Porthmeor Programme Alumni

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]

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Taught by

Kate
Southworth

View Kate’s Work

Kate Southworth makes paintings, spells and rituals. Her work engages with magic, alchemy, mysticism and spirituality and indexes the soul painting its own transformation. In addition to solo and two-person shows, her work has appeared in more than 35 group exhibitions including The Order of the Sun and Moon at the College of Psychic Studies, London and Craftivism at Arnolfini, Bristol.

In Conversation

Gwynne Perry

We caught up with Gwynne Penny, whilst visiting ‘Ebb & Flow’, one of three successful exhibitions put on by MAC | RAGS.

We caught up with Alison Cook, an alumnus of the Porthmeor Programme Online, as she talks through her practice.

We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme.

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FAQs

Art Courses

Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?

No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.

Studio Courses

Can I bring my dog?

The studios are busy places with lots of equipment and not suitable for bringing a pet dog. We can accommodate assistance dogs with prior notice so we can make suitable adjustments. If you wish to bring an assistance dog please call 01736 797180 or email [email protected]

Can you help me choose the right course?

Yes, our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the best course for your needs, whether you’re a beginner or looking to develop specific skills.

Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options.

How do I get my work home?

Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and for our 3 day courses we will give you a plastic folder with a handle. These are also available to purchase for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.

Please note: For the course Bigger, Bolder, Braver with Boo Mallinson, we will provide a large A1 size plastic folder for your work but please consider how you will be able to transport the larger canvases home safely before signing up for the course as we will not be able to store large paintings in the studio. On this course you will be painting on a 50cms x 50cms and a 1m x 1m canvas alongside smaller pieces.

For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home, postal costs will be borne by you.

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.

Short workshops start at 10am in the Summer and 9.30am/ 1.30pm during September festival

Booking a Course

How do I reserve a place on a course?

You can book your place online or by calling us on 01736 797180.

If you need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. To secure your place, a £100 deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 12 weeks before the course start date.

About St Ives

Where can I park near the School?

The nearest long-stay car parks are:

Island Car Park
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park

Both are approximately a 5-minute walk from the School.

During the busy summer months, you may find it easier to park at Trenwith Car Park near the leisure centre and walk into town. A shuttle bus often runs back up the hill from near Tate St Ives.

How do I get to the School of Painting in St Ives?

By train:

The nearest mainline station is St Erth, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi journey away. From there, you can also take the St Ives Bay Line, which runs every 30 minutes. The School is a 10-minute walk from St Ives station.

By car:

Take the M5 to Exeter, then follow the A30 into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, exit at the St Erth roundabout towards St Ives. Continue through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives..

Where can I stay in St Ives?

St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.