Studio Journal
Welcome to our Studio Journal, where we share creative inspiration and ideas, stories from artists past and present, and useful guides to St Ives and beyond.
Where to go in West Cornwall | Tourist Guide
West Cornwall offers a unique blend of art, culture, and coastal adventures – making it one of the most inspiring places to visit in the UK. From rich artistic heritage to stunning beaches and vibrant events, there’s always something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re joining us for a workshop or looking for ideas to keep a partner or…
Celebrating 250 Years of J.M.W. Turner
April 2026 marks the end of a year-long celebration: 250 years since the birth of J.M.W. Turner, one of Britain’s most influential and visionary painters. Across galleries, museums, and coastal landscapes, Turner has been celebrated not just as a historical figure, but as an artist who changed how we see the natural world. Born on 23 April 1775, Turner was fascinated…
In Conversation: Julian Vilarrubi
Ahead of his upcoming courses, we caught up with Brighton-based artist, Julian Vilarrubi. There’s something compelling about an artist who refuses to stay still – someone whose work is shaped as much by movement and observation as it is by tradition. Julian Vilarrubi is one of those artists. Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy Schools…
Stay Connected, Stay Inspired.
Even if you can’t make it to St Ives, there are still plenty of ways for us to stay connected and keep your creativity flowing. Here are a few ways we can continue to inspire and support you from wherever you are! Follow us on Social Media From artist interviews, course previews and how to…
In Conversation: Meg, Studio Manager
At the heart of the studio is Meg, our Studio Manager, whose role weaves together organisation, creativity, and care. We caught up with her to hear more about her day-to-day, her own artistic practice, and what makes the studio such a special place to be. Meg, Studio Manager Life in the Studio First thing on…
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…
In Conversation: Lesley Plumridge
We’re pleased to welcome artist Lesley Plumridge to our team of artist tutors for 2026. Based at the creative hub of Krowji in Redruth, Lesley is a mixed media designer and maker whose work thrives on experimentation, curiosity, and play. A graduate of Falmouth University (BA First Class Honours in Textile Design, 2005), her practice…
How to Start Painting after 20 Years
We often hear from people who haven’t painted in years and aren’t sure where to begin. Recently, one of our own team decided to find out for herself. From Office Manager to Amateur Artist “I haven’t painted in over 20 years… where do I even start?” It’s something we hear all the time from prospective…
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…
The Art of Paying Attention
Why painting might be the antidote to our distracted world. We spend much of our day looking – but rarely noticing. Painting asks something very different of us. To create art, you have to slow down. You have to look carefully. The subtle colours inside a shadow, the way light shifts across a surface, the…
Peter Lanyon: Flight, Landscape, + the Spirit of St Ives
Few British artists are as inseparable from place as Peter Lanyon. His art is not just inspired by Cornwall – it moves through it, shaped by wind, cliffs, sea, and lived experience. Nowhere is this connection more felt than in St Ives, the artistic community that became both his home and the centre of his…
In Conversation: Helen Ward
We’re pleased to welcome artist Helen Ward to our team of artist tutors for 2026. Helen is a visual artist whose work embraces experimentation, chance, and the creative possibilities of “mistake making,” developing a distinctive visual language that captures both observation and thought. Helen graduated from Farnham University with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art,…
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