St Ives Past & Present
Experience the history of the St Ives art scene through this collection of films featuring St Ives School of Painting and the importance of St Ives and Porthmeor Studios as an artists’ colony.
Since 1938.
A glimpse into St Ives and the St Ives School of Painting originally established here in 1938 by Leonard Fuller. Have fun spotting the same buildings that still surround the studios in the artistic quarter. See how little has changed!
See Leonard Fuller taking his group of art students out at 9min and at 22.43 see him teaching in the same studios where we are today.
The Renovation of Porthmeor Studios
In 2012 the £4M renovation of Porthmeor Studios was finally completed. Decades of exposure to Atlantic gales had greatly weakened the fabric of the building and it found itself on the English Heritage ‘Buildings At Risk Register. The works involved the repair and strengthening of the building, improving access and acoustic and thermal insulation.
The studios now provides high quality and essential workspace for fishermen in four cellars; for artists in fifteen studios and with two studios each for the St Ives School of Painting and the Borlase Smart John Wells Trust.
The films below give you a glimpse into the studios before they were transformed into the warm, comfortable space we occupy today.
See the studios before renovation (left) and after renovation (right)
31/1/2021
Share on
Related Stories
How to Develop Your Unique Artistic Style
At times, we can all feel isolated and stuck within our creative boundaries, or within our art practices. Artists spend so much time alone, in their homes or studios, trying to create fresh work, but without the motivation or critical eye of supportive peers. Read more on how to develop your unique artistic style. One...
Celebrating the Legacy of Barbara Hepworth
Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975) stands as one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 20th century, a trailblazer who redefined modern art through her innovative use of form, space, and material. Born in Wakefield, England, Hepworth’s artistic journey spanned decades, during which she created an extensive body of work that continues to inspire today. Hepworth’s art...
Alfred Wallis: 100 Years On
This August marked 100 years since Alfred Wallis first picked up a paintbrush – beginning a remarkable, self-taught artistic career that continues to resonate across the art world. Read more about his incredible life and career, and discover how his paintings are still being appreciated today. Born on 8 August 1855 in Devonport, Plymouth, Alfred...