Latest News and Events
Read the latest from St Ives School of Painting, as featured in titles such as The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal and Artist & Illustrator.
The Art Behind The Christophers: Iona Sanders’ Work on Steven Soderbergh’s New Film
When artist Iona Sanders was first approached by film set decorator and fellow Cornwall-based artist Kimmy Hussey about putting work forward for an upcoming film, her immediate reaction was surprise. At that stage, Iona knew very little about the project, except that it centred on an artist. Still, the opportunity was intriguing enough to say…
Art Club Collective: Term Two
Welcome to the second edition of The Art Club Collective – a space where we gather together the stories, moments, and artwork that emerge from inside Art Club each month. At the end of every term, we will take a step back and look at what’s been created – the small wins, the breakthroughs, the…
Your Monthly Roundup: April
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St Ives September Festival: What to See & Do
Every September, the town of St Ives comes alive with a vibrant celebration of art, music and culture. Now in its fifteen-day run (Saturday 12th to Saturday 26th September 2026), the St Ives September Festival offers an inspiring mixture of exhibitions, performances, workshops, theatre, walks, comedy, poetry, films and more. There is going to be…
St Ives Food & Drink Festival
Join us at this year’s St Ives Food & Drink Festival where you can try join us in the community tent, enter our prize draw and ‘make your mark’! Taking place on the stunning Porthminster Beach on Friday 15th – Sunday 17th May, the festival will host a line-up of culinary talent, artisan markets, craft…
Your Monthly Roundup: March
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Art Club Collective: Term One
Welcome to the first edition of The Art Club Collective – a space where we gather together the stories, moments, and artwork that emerge from inside Art Club each month. At the end of every term, we will take a step back and look at what’s been created – not just on ours canvases, but…
Your Monthly Roundup: February
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: January
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Thank You for Supporting Our Youth Programme in 2025
In 2025, our Youth Programme continued with a clear purpose: to widen access to creativity and make space for young people who need it most. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, funders and community partners, 330 young people were able to engage with art, often at moments in their lives when that access mattered…
Your Monthly Roundup: December
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: November
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: September
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: August
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: July
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Supporting the Next Generation of Cornish Artists
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: a new collaboration between three charitable trusts is helping us open our studio doors even wider to young artists across Cornwall. Thanks to the combined generosity of the Roy Ray Legacy Fund, the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust, and – newly joining us this summer – the Little Parc Owles…
Your Monthly Roundup: June
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Your Monthly Roundup: May
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The Salt Path film in cinemas now
Discover The Salt Path, a poignant adaptation of Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir. The film chronicles the transformative 630-mile trek along the South West Coast Path undertaken by Raynor and her husband, Moth, after losing their home and grappling with a terminal illness diagnosis. Directed by acclaimed theatre director Marianne Elliott and scripted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz,…
Earth Day: Meet Artist John Dyer
This Earth Day, we’re catching up with artist John Dyer, who will be teaching an upcoming course, ‘Painting St Ives: Your Narrative’, in September. However, tutoring is just one of John’s many ongoing projects, and today we are discussing his incredible work with regards to Last Chance to Paint, a not-for-profit project supported by the…
Your Monthly Roundup: April
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Edged by the Sea – An Exhibition
During the past six months, Cornish artist tutor Victoria Gillow has been working – exploring and painting around our coast – soaking up the longer days and brighter weather. And her exploration has now come to fruition, as she launches a brand new solo art exhibition at Trebah Gardens in Falmouth. Running from 1 April…
Your Monthly Roundup: March
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
The Guardian – How I learned to paint in St Ives
In November 2024, we were joined by author and journalist, Wyl Meinmuir on our Discover Painting course led by Ilker Cinarel. From a novice painter’s perspective, he followed the course with a write up for readers of The Guardian, you can read more below! Written by Wyl Meinmuir A novice painter finds the artistic heritage…
Ithell Colquhoun: The Alchemist of Surrealism
Ithell Colquhoun (1906–1988) was a visionary artist who stood between surrealism and mysticism. Known for her profound exploration of the unconscious and her dedication to esoteric studies, Colquhoun’s legacy is enigmatic and fascinating. Colquhoun’s Foundations Born in India to British parents, Colquhoun’s early life was shaped by exposure to diverse cultures. Moving to England, she…
Celebrating our Future Artists
Did you know that every penny of income we receive goes directly back into teaching art and giving local youngsters the opportunity to explore their creativity? Thanks to our donations from you, and investments from our incredible funders, 2024 saw a record-breaking year for our Young Artists Programme. 2024 saw the Young Artist’s programme expand,…
The Roy Ray Legacy Fund
Roy Ray attended St Ives School of Painting as a student in the 1960s and was fundamental in its success from the late 1970s to early 2000s. As Principal, he was instrumental in bringing more accessible contemporary art courses and welcomed even more visitors to the St Ives art community. About Roy Ray and St…
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust
The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust was established by Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham in 1987. The trust aims to foster, protect and promote the reputation of Barns-Graham as well as supporting and inspiring art and art history students through the provision of bursaries and scholarships. The Artist’s Life and Legacy Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, known as Willie, was born…
‘Images of Downlong – 1880s-to the present day’
We are pleased to share an exclusive talk and Q&A with Janet Axten and a panel of local artists, including Hilary Jean Gibson, artist tutor at St Ives School of Painting, as they discuss why comparatively few artists have chosen to paint Downlong, one of the most historic parts of St Ives. ‘Images of Downlong…
Inscape Outscape: A group exhibition
We are pleased to share an upcoming exhibition, ‘Inscape Outscape’. A collection of works by a group of contemporary artists who teach at the St Ives School of Painting. Made up of work from 18 artists, all with connections to St Ives and Cornwall, the exhibition will be open to the public from 10-17 December…
The Sunday Times: The Art of Learning
As seen in… Is it a bird, is it a plane? Our budding Rothko, Sean Newsom, signs up for an abstract art class in St Ives. Can I remind you that this jumble of fisherman cottages and harbour walls was also – for a time – the forcing house of British abstract art? – When…
The Wall Street Journal: A Brush With St. Ives
As seen in… Anne-Marie Conway visits St Ives and joins us at the School of Painting to experience art lessons in Cornwall, in our stunning location above the beach during the quieter months. “Tape the paper down on your clipboard, you don’t want it blowing away,” advised our tutor, Liz Luckwell, as she led us out…
The Independent: Barbara Hepworth’s St Ives
As seen in… Words by Jonathan Lorie As a major exhibition of the British sculptor opened, Jonathan Lorie travelled to St Ives, the town that inspired Barbara Hepworth, to feel its draw for himself. “Are you OK to get a bit mucky?” asks the drawing teacher as he hands me a stick of charcoal on…