THE ART SCENE OF ST IVES
Known for its vibrant art scene, St. Ives has been a magnet for artists and art enthusiasts for decades.
Photo by Maxwell Hunt
The roots of the St. Ives art scene can be traced back to the late 19th century when artists first began to flock to the town for its breathtaking landscapes and natural light. However, it was not until the early 20th century that St. Ives truly became a haven for artists, thanks to the efforts of two influential figures – Bernard Leach and Ben Nicholson.
Leach, a well-known potter, established the Leach Pottery in St. Ives in 1920, which became a hub for potters and attracted many artists to the town. Nicholson, a prominent artist, and his wife, the artist Winifred Nicholson, also settled in St. Ives in the 1920s, and together with Leach, they founded the St. Ives Society of Artists in 1927. This society became a platform for local artists to showcase their work and collaborate, laying the foundation for the St. Ives art scene to flourish.
However, it was after the Second World War that the St. Ives art scene truly came into its own, with the arrival of an influx of post-war abstract artists. This group, which included names like Barbara Hepworth, Peter Lanyon, and Terry Frost, brought a new energy and avant-garde approach to art in St. Ives. They were drawn to the town's natural beauty and the thriving creative community, setting up studios and galleries and transforming St. Ives into a buzzing cultural hub.
Photo by Penwith Gallery
One of the unique aspects of the St. Ives art scene is the close-knit community of artists who support and collaborate. This camaraderie is evident in the establishment of the Penwith Society of Arts in 1949, a group formed by the post-war artists to exhibit their work. The society created a strong network of artists, and their annual exhibitions became a significant event in the town, attracting art enthusiasts from all around the world.
Today, the St. Ives art scene continues to thrive, with a diverse range of artists and styles represented. The town is home to numerous galleries, including the Tate St. Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, which showcase the works of local and international artists. The St. Ives School of Painting, founded in 1938, also plays a vital role in nurturing the town's artistic community by offering courses and workshops to both beginners and professionals.
The St. Ives art scene has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the town's cultural landscape. Its influence can also be seen in the development of the Newlyn School of Art, located just a few miles away, which was founded by former St. Ives School of Painting students.
Art Courses
Still Life: Surface + Space (CW)
Photo by Jade Stephens
The topic of space in painting is covered in this course. For any artist, realising the purpose of space in their painting is a breakthrough moment, as it is just as essential to composition as the subject. A simple drawing of what's there can become a reflection on the life behind the still life by examining the interplay between surface and space.
Discover fresh perspectives on objects to better understand their characteristics and how they relate to the environment. The teacher Tom will teach you compositional strategies and how to create more interpretative and genuine abstract shapes and patterns. As a teacher, he focuses on helping you develop your own practice. You'll study how surface and space are interpreted by many artists, ranging from the sparkling textures of Bonnard to the austere simplicity of Morandi, to help you get ideas on how to draw out a conversation from your topic.
Life Drawing Online – Colour Blocking for movement + pose
Photo by St Ives School of Painting
Drawing from a live model is a technique that has been used for hundreds of years to improve technical proficiency and promote a deeper comprehension of real-world themes. Life drawing workshops have long been offered at St Ives School of Painting, and many of the contemporary artists of the day, such as Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Terry Frost, and Peter Lanyon, were drawn to our programme.
The instructor's main focus for this lesson will be colour blocking for posture and movement. Working in acrylic and gouache paint on condensed figures in brief poses, you will concentrate on the internal dynamics of the stance and the orientation of body parts, saving surface detail for last and building quickly in layers from the inside out.