Your Monthly Roundup: September

The Big Draw Festival 2025

Every October, organisers across the globe sign up to be part of this collaborative festival, hosting everything from hands-on workshops and exhibitions to large-scale collaborative projects.

Experienced tutors Hilary Jean Gibson, Liz Luckwell and Jill Eisele lead our workshops, and cover everything from still life to drawing the details of the boats in St Ives harbour.

St Ives September Festival

From Saturday, opening day will herald two weeks of events including music, poetry, comedy, exhibitions, and talks including a range of short workshops at St Ives School of Painting.

There’s plenty more happening around the time, with live music and special talks and tours at the historic Porthmeor Studios including talks from artist in residence Rebecca Moss and local historian Janet Axton.

Exhibitions

Life in Full Colour | Camilla Dixon
12 Sept – Oct 2025 | St Ives Library, Gabriel Street
Free Entry | Life Drawing Session: £16

During her time at Central St Martins, in the early 90’s, artist tutor Camilla Dixon discovered the fun of drawing the clothed figure from life. Responding to the character and movement of the pose, experimenting with materials, marks and different ways of looking at the model, put ‘life drawing’ in a whole new context, and formed the basis of her professional career.

This Month’s Read

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.

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