With its white sandy beaches and famous fishing harbour, St Ives is often hailed as one of the prettiest towns in Cornwall. However, scratch below the surface and you’ll also discover it’s Cornwall’s artistic haven.
Since the 19th century, artists have been flocking to its exquisite coastline, inspired by its ethereal light and jaw-dropping landscapes. Today, the legacy of artistic movements and a thriving art scene continues to captivate visitors.
Ready to flex your creative fingers? Our art lover’s guide to St Ives has everything you need to know, from where to explore great works of art to where to create your own.
Famous artists in St Ives
During the 19th and 20th centuries, artists based in St Ives laid the foundation for the town’s artistic heritage.
Newlyn School
When cross-country railway links reached St Ives in 1887, artists were drawn to the area, inspired by its light, drama, and beauty. Artists led by Stanhope Forbes and Frank Bromley began to paint in ‘en plein air’, capturing rural life and local fishermen and were later known as the Newlyn School.
Ben Nicholson
Nicholson’s early works were still life paintings, but by the 1930s, he became increasingly drawn to abstract art. Inspired by St Ives amateur artist Alfred Wallis and the ‘constructivist’ principles of Russian sculptor Naum Gabo, who lived in the area during WWII, Nicholson’s abstract compositions made him a pioneering British modernist.
The St Ives School
After WWII, a young group of artists reached the area and formed the St Ives School with Hepworth and Nicholson. Their work draws inspiration from the colours, forms, and shapes of the landscape to create abstract art, including paintings, sculptures, and pottery.
Barbara Hepworth
Barbara Hepworth moved to St Ives in 1939 with her husband Ben Nicholson and their children, and began to create drawings and sculptures using abstract shapes inspired by nature and the world around her. Today, she is known as a leading figure of British modern art and the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden is dedicated to her life and work.
Bernard Leach
Part of the St Ives School, Bernard Leach founded The Leach Pottery alongside Shoji Hamada in the 1920s, which has since become one of the most influential potteries in the world. Known as the “father of British studio pottery”, his work emphasised the importance of craft and brought a fusion of eastern and western ceramic traditions.
Artists workshops in St Ives
Seeking to hone your own artistic skills? There are a number of art galleries, schools, and studios in St Ives that offer workshops and events to help and inspire.
Tate St Ives
Best for: Drop-in workshops and events
Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach, St Ives TR26 1TG
Based overlooking Porthmeor Beach, Tate St Ives is a modern art museum, with a permanent display of works by Ben Nicholson and other artists with ties to the area, plus rotating exhibitions by contemporary British and international artists. The Tate also hosts a range of art activities and workshops throughout the year, many of them tailored to families and children.
The Leach Pottery
Best for: Pottery workshops
The Leach Pottery, Higher Stennack, St Ives TR26 2HE
The original home and workshop of potter Bernard Leach, The Leach Pottery offers practical workshops and courses for beginners to advanced potters interested in studio pottery. Their ‘Family Programme’ provides family-friendly after-school and school holiday classes, including hand building and clay skills.
St Ives School of Painting (Porthmeor Studios)
Best for: Painting and drawing
Barnoon Arts
Best for: Family-friendly workshops
Various venues
Barnoon Arts includes events at a range of indoor and outdoor venues across a broad range of arts and crafts subjects, with many welcoming both adults and children. Their main building is on Westcott’s Quay, where they also have an exhibition gallery. Classes are offered year-round and include life portraits, watercolour workshops, mixed media and abstract painting, plus plenty more.
St Ives School of Painting, 21 Back Road West, St Ives TR26 1NG
Visit the famous St Ives School of Painting at their studio overlooking the ocean for short courses on painting and drawing led by practising artists. The location is inspiring with beautiful light and oodles of history, as the space where pioneering St Ives artists worked. Classes support you with a broad range of techniques to develop a more confident approach to your work.
St Ives Glass Art Workshops
Best for: Glasswork
St Ives Glass Art Workshops, Chy Lowen, 7 Poltreen Close, Carbis Bay TR26 2ST
Try your hand at glasswork with bespoke glass fusing workshops in a small studio above Carbis Bay. Suitable for complete beginners, Terri offers affordable taster workshops where you can create your own trinkets or dishes to take home. This one is perfect for those interested in developing a new artistic skillset.
St Ives Community Orchard
Best for: Nature-inspired crafts
St Ives Community Orchard, Penbeagle Lane, St Ives TR26 2HS
Keep an eye out for crafting events inspired by nature at St Ives Community Orchard, including weaving, spoon whittling and other family-friendly endeavours. Taking inspiration from traditional crafts and using locally sourced natural materials, the orchard’s events are surrounded by beautiful scenery.
St Ives September Festival
The artistic highlight of the St Ives calendar, St Ives September Festival is a two-week family-friendly celebration of music and creativity, making it one of the best times of year to visit the area.
Cornwall’s biggest cultural festival, visitors can expect everything from art and pottery to theatre and live music, spread across no less than thirty venues. Galleries will be open, so you can grab a sneak peak at what local artists are working on and ask them questions in Q&A sessions.
There will also be street performers, walking tours, and an incredible range of workshops, bringing a beautiful festival atmosphere to the town and harbour. Plus, there are plenty of fantastic seaside pubs and quaint cafés to stop off at along the way, and enjoy the scenery in between the excitement.
Where to draw your inspiration
Whatever you need for artistic inspiration, St Ives has it in abundance. In fact, many of the best things to see and do in the area have their roots in artistry and creativity.
Browse the art galleries
St Ives’ fantastic art galleries are a huge part of its charm and can bring days' worth of entertainment. Expect everything from exhibitions on the town’s famous artists and those with links to the area, to more contemporary displays from local and international artists. Don’t miss the Tate St Ives viewing window, which never fails to wow, with its panoramic views over Porthmeor Beach and the Atlantic.
Explore the independent shops
With so much artistic inspiration to be enjoyed, creativity spills through St Ives’ beautifully cobbled streets. You’ll see it in the fantastic selection of independent shops, which include handcrafted glass creations, Cornwall-inspired jewellery and plenty of galleries and gift shops where you can find all manner of fabulous things. Browsing the shops is a goldmine for ideas (and a chance to treat yourself to something unique!)
Observe the harbour
Just as the Newlyn School artists did in the 1800s, there’s plenty to see at St Ives harbour. Observe local life, the St Ives fishermen, and people going about their day. If you’re more interested in landscapes, focus on the changing colours of the sky and ocean, boats bobbing on the water, and the views across St Ives Bay.
Walk the South West Coast Path
A big part of St Ives’ appeal as an artistic destination is the endless amount of beautiful Cornish scenery to spark creativity – and one of the best ways to discover it is by walking the surrounding coastal paths, which also take you past plenty of beautiful beaches. Favourites include the 1-mile walk from St Ives to Carbis Bay and walking from the harbour to The Island, a grassy headland and one of the best viewpoints in the area.
Go on a boat trip
Observe St Ives from a different perspective by jumping aboard a local boat trip. You’ll get the chance to learn more about the history of the area and to spot local wildlife (so bring your camera or sketchbook!) Favourite stop-off points include Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse, and there’s a chance you’ll be joined by pods of dolphins and diving seabirds.
Discover the history of the area
If your creative side is inspired by real-life stories, then there are plenty of fascinating tales surrounding St Ives. Beyond the art galleries, key stop-off points include St Ives Museum, where you’ll learn about the town’s mining, smuggling and lifeboat history and St Ives Archive, where you’ll find collections of documents and photos from throughout the centuries.
Indulge in creative cuisine
You’ll also find creativity in the best restaurants in St Ives, which include everything from converted sail lofts selling top-quality seafood to restaurants with sea views serving globally inspired veggie and vegan menus. For true culinary creativity, the town’s annual food and drink festival is not to be missed, offering a wide variety of food and drink from around the world.
Looking for somewhere to stay?
Our coastal cottages in St Ives provide the perfect launchpad for soaking up the creativity of the area and exploring its workshops, gift shops, and galleries.