Cornwall is home to a fantastic range of art galleries, so whether you’re looking to discover contemporary sculpture or explore Cornwall’s history through paintings, there will be an art gallery suited to your taste. Most Cornish galleries focus on displaying art by Cornish artists or about the county, so your visits can give you a deeper understanding of the local culture.
Here are some of the best art galleries in Cornwall, situated across the county.
Tate, St Ives
Overlooking Porthmeor beach, this is one of Cornwall’s most popular galleries. The Tate gallery in St Ives displays art from British artists, most of whom have links to the St Ives area. The museum was refurbished in the 2010s and has since been home to dozens of exhibitions by a range of different artists.
Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden, St Ives
The Tate also runs the Barbara Hepworth Museum, also located in St Ives, which features works by the renowned Modernist sculptor, who lived in the town for much of her life. Some of the larger sculptures are displayed in her sculpture garden, providing an immersive experience for those interested in her art.
Whitewater Gallery, Polzeath
Situated on Polzeath seafront, Whitewater Gallery is home to varying exhibitions of contemporary art. With a range of mediums displayed, including prints, paintings, glass, pottery, and more, this gallery features a fantastic selection of contemporary art. Their exhibition space presents collections by renowned artists from Cornwall and around the country.
Image Credit: Mutney under CC BY-SA 4.0
Quay Art, Padstow
Quay Art is an independent family-run contemporary art gallery located on Padstow harbourside. Displaying a range of contemporary art, including paintings, ceramics, jewellery, and sculpture, Quay Art is an excellent gallery to explore for those interested in contemporary fine art.
Newlyn Art Gallery, Newlyn
Newlyn Art Gallery features a selection of artworks relating to the history of the town and the wider Cornwall area. This gallery was created to be an exhibition space for the Newlyn School of Painting, an art collective from the late 19th century based in Newlyn.
Now, there are still frequent exhibitions displaying art by local artists. The gallery offers free entry for under 25s, in hopes to encourage interest in art in young people.
Image Credit: Mutney under CC BY-SA 4.0
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Truro
A traditional museum exploring the history and art of Cornwall, the accompanying art gallery features a permanent collection of a variety of mostly Cornish art.
The works of Henry Scott Tuke are prominent in their collection, due to his association with the Newlyn School. There are also frequent features of the works of Barbara Hepworth, Bryan Pearce, Anthony Frost, and John Singer Sargent, as well as European Renaissance-era paintings.
Safe to say, this gallery has something for all kinds of art enjoyers, particularly for those interested in the history and culture of Cornwall.
Penwith Gallery, St. Ives
Home to the Penwith Society of Arts, this gallery contains three public galleries, artists’ studios, a sculpture courtyard, an archive, and a printmakers workshop. Founded by Barbara Hepworth, Penwith Gallery heavily features sculptures, as well as various exhibits from particular Cornish artists. Located not far from the St Ives Tate, the town has plenty of art to discover.
Image Credit: ‘Bluebells & ‘Black Mound’ at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens by Rod Allday
Tremenheere Gallery & Sculpture Gardens, Penzance
Located in a beautiful, exotic garden with a dramatic landscape, Tremenheere is Cornwall’s largest art gallery. The gallery features a range of inspiring contemporary art exhibitions. Their sculpture garden balances contemporary sculpture created by an assortment of internationally renowned artists with the tranquil surroundings of Cornish wildlife.
Penlee House, Penzance
For those interested in the Newlyn School movement, Penlee House is now the home of many paintings by the artists. The estate has been a museum since 1839 and features many of the area’s most notable pieces of art, including the works of Stanhope Forbes. Although not strictly an art gallery, Penlee House provides an excellent experience for those interested in the art of the area.
Cornwall’s brilliant selection of art galleries provides fulfilment for interests in all types of art. Although Cornwall has a particularly interesting assortment of sculpture, its art galleries present different mediums and genres for all to enjoy.
If you’re looking to enjoy some of these art galleries across Cornwall, then our holiday cottages near Truro make the perfect base for your stay – ideally located in the middle of Cornwall, you can easily drive to all of these wonderful galleries!