Course details
Step into a world of photo magic with Ruth Purdy and the Mitber team in this exciting hands-on workshop.

Young artists will make their very own selfie using a simple pinhole camera – an eco-friendly camera with no lens, full of surprises. Then, inside a real darkroom, they’ll watch their photograph appear as if by magic on special paper using a plant-based photo developer.
Along the way, we will explore drawing with a camera obscura – an amazing optical tool that artists have used for hundreds of years. Sometimes pinhole results are clear, sometimes a little mysterious – but that’s all part of the fun. This workshop is perfect for curious minds who love experimenting and discovering how things work
For children aged 7-10, this is a Kids Art Club like no other, where children get to work on easels and use the same high quality art materials as our adult courses. They are taught by experienced artist tutors and start to take their first steps as Young Artists.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Thanks to generous support from our fee paying families and St Ives Rotary, we are able to offer up to 4 scholarship places per session awarded on a need basis. If you are on a low income please contact [email protected] for an application form to apply for a free scholarship place.
FUNDRAISING: If you are able to support a free place for another child, we would be hugely grateful if you would add a donation to your booking at checkout.
What to Bring
Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the art materials you need for your workshop, so just bring yourself and lots of enthusiasm!
We provide aprons but encourage you to not wear your best clothes.
Timings and Breaks
The workshops start at 10am and finish at 12 midday. We will have a comfort break in the middle.
The class will be held in the ground floor studio at the School of Painting.
Meet Your Tutor

Ruth Purdy
Ruth Purdy is the Executive Director of Make it Better (Mitber) CIC. She believes that art has the power to change the world and set up Mitber to increase engagement with creativity.
She studied a Fine Art BA Hons and a PGCE in Birmingham, followed by an MA in Photography at Falmouth. Before this she worked in further education and in schools delivering arts education to a wide variety of neurotypical and neurodiverse learners; working closely with speech, language and occupational therapists.
She is always excited to see the unique way individuals respond to and communicate through creative processes. For over ten years she has worked in local communities around Cornwall, demonstrating how regular contact with fun creative activities can improve people lives.
Safeguarding
At St Ives School of Painting we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Our Trustees, staff and volunteers share this commitment. All our tutors are DBS checked, see our Safeguarding Policy under our Quick Links in the footer.
