PRESS RELEASE

27.07.17 | For immediate use

Is It Finally Time to Explore Your Creativity?

St Ives School of Painting ‘Porthmeor Programme' Open Evening

Saturday 7 October | 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Image: St Ives School of Painting students enjoy a group critique | Photo credit: Bob Berry

This October, St Ives School of Painting will be opening the doors on their highly respected Porthmeor Programme, in order to attract new recruits for their March 2018 intake. The open evening, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Saturday 7 October, includes a talk by course tutors, a tour of the School's historic, fully equipped studios, and a chance to meet the current year's students and see their work.

The year long Porthmeor Programme is a professional course aimed at early stage and experienced artists interested in taking their practice to the next level. It offers students the chance to explore and develop their creativity in a relaxed, social setting with the support of like minded peers and professional artist tutors. Beginning in March with an intensive 3 days of study, followed by 8 tutored weekends, this unique study programme is run over 9 months, including a summer break, and culminates in a final celebratory exhibition. The course is ideal for applicants of all ages, looking for long-term structure to their learning. Workshops are designed to encourage risk taking and the expansion of personal practice, with the addition of one to one tutorials and group discussions, and are run on weekends, meaning students can travel from across the UK to participate.

The Open Evening is free and includes light refreshments. The deadline for 2018/2019 Porthmeor Programme applications is 30 November 2017. See www.schoolofpainting.co.ukfor details.

For further enquiries and to book any of our courses contact info@schoolofpainting.co.uk | Tel: 01736 797180 | St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1NG.

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St Ives School of Painting students 

Editors Notes

St Ives School of Painting

Situated on St Ives' spectacular Porthmeor Beach, the Grade II listed Porthmeor Studios building has been an inspiring workspace for artists for over a century. Today, the St Ives School of Painting operates out of two of the building's studios. The remaining studios are rented out to local and national artists while the Tate Gallery has historically run a residency programme in Studio 5. Meanwhile, twelve boats continue to work out of the fishermen's cellars beneath the studios.

From the late 19^thcentury onwards, Porthmeor Studios became an inspiring workplace and exhibition space for internationally acclaimed artists, including some of the big names of 20th Century British painting, such as Julius Olsson, Ben Nicholson, Francis Bacon, Patrick Heron and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Today their paint marks still decorate the studio walls where important pieces of work were created. The St Ives School of Painting has been running art classes in Porthmeor Studios since 1938. In 2000 it became a registered charity.Class sizes are limited and tutors are all practising artists with many years teaching experience. The school provides quality tuition across a variety of artistic disciplines, suitable for all levels from complete beginners to those with more experience.

In 2010, The Borlase Smart John Wells Trust headed a £4 million renovation, supported with public funding by Arts Council England, to renovate and refurbish the building. Overseen by award-winning architects Long & Kentish, the sensitive renovations of the Grade II listed building have ensured that the features of its important heritage are not lost, while providing a facelift which enables the unique complex to move into the future as a successful and functioning workplace for both the artists and the fishermen.

St Ives School of Painting and the St Ives Art School are trading names of names of St Ives Art School, company no 7871063 registered in England, a company limited by guarantee, registered charity no 1146825. Registered office: St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West, St Ives. Cornwall. TR26 1NG |01736 797180| www.schoolofpainting.co.uk |info@schoolofpainting.co.uk.

Supported by the Regional Ideas Organisation, Rotary International, Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council.