Cornwall Open Studio Tour and Kernowfest

by Freya Laughton on May 27, 2013

Every year artists all over Cornwall throw open their studio doors and let us all in to admire their work. This year there are over 200 artists in the open studios scheme, organised by Creative Skills. I never have time to see them all, but I’ve made a good start this weekend. First stop St. Ives with my Ma.

St. Ives seagulls © F.L.Before starting our studio tour we wandered down Fore Street to see how Poppy Treffry’s new shop was looking in its new location, a few weeks after opening.  I’m Lucky to be part of ‘Team Treffry’ so the last time I saw the shop I was lying on the floor putting up shelves…

Poppy Treffry shop © F.L.…which are full of beautiful things from handmade bags, and printed tea towels,  to the most unusual array of vintage objects, and lots of other gorgeous things in between, so pop in, you won’t be disappointed. Oh and a sweet little Pocket Cornwall book, Cornish Feasts and Festivals, written by Liz Woods, illustrated by me.

Porthmeor Studios © F.L.We then made our way up the hill to the newly renovated Porthmeor Studios, to see the renovation work and a little cluster of open studios inside. Including one temporarily occupied by artists Faye Dobinson and Jesse Leroy Smith, who had transformed the studio with collaborative work, including a dark mural along one wall.

After lunch on the beach we set off to Trewidden Studios to see a collection of artists including Susannah Bauer and Paul Fry. And then up Chywoone Hill to the studios in The Newlyn School of Art.

Sunday

And out came the sun in a cloudless sky to shine over Kernowfest at Heartlands.

Heartlands © F.LHeartlands is “a new FREE visitor attraction and World Heritage Site Gateway in Cornwall. Nestled just off the A30 in Pool, near Redruth in the former mining heart of Cornwall, there are 19 acres of eclectic fun to explore.” And it came alive this weekend to host a mini festival showcasing good Cornish food, music, theatre and Wise Women, part of the History 51 road show.

Heartlands opened to the public last year to bring the old mining heritage back to life, with a new cafe, great kids’ playground, and artists’ studios.

Grumpies Pies Heartlands © F.LWe all bought Grumpies Pies to take home for supper, delicious!

Amanda Richardson garden © F.LJust time for one more open studio in the late afternoon, I’m a little biased to our friend Amanda Richardson, but her studio has to be one of my favourite to visit, if you’re nearby this week, it’s a must see, a description of her work wouldn’t do it justice, but imagine taking home a part of this glorious garden.

Monday

True to all bank holidays, the heavens opened, so open studios were the best places to be. Today I visited Lincoln Kirby Bell in the morning, and indulged in a few of his seconds, to add to my collection. Drove down a bumpy lane to Trevelloe Farm, where I saw Peter Perry and Adam Jacobs. And to finish my studio tour for the weekend I went out to Pendeen to find Caroline Binch.

Lincoln Kirby Bell dish and tiles © F.L.