FRI SEPT 18TH, 7PM

Lamorna Artists - Then and Now
Public Library, Morrab Road, Penzance. Free admission.

This talk, by Lamorna artist John Nash, will take you through the growth of the original Lamorna Art Colony in the first half of the 20th century; the post war period and the creative regeneration by the artists and craftspeople working in the Lamorna Valley today. Illustrated with over 180 photos and pictures.

WED 30TH SEPT & THURS 1ST OCT, 10AM-5PM

‘Renaissance’ Exhibition
Lamorna Village Hall. Free admission.

To help illustrate the link between today’s vibrant creative scene and that of Lamorna’s past, we invited all the artists taking part in Open Studios to produce one piece of work that gives their own unique perspective on a piece by an artist of the original art colony. The response was so fascinating that we decided to bring all these together into a two day exhibition at the Village Hall to open the Festival. (Following this, these artworks will return to their homes in the Open Studios event to make way for the Lamorna Kerr Art Group’s Exhibition).

FRI 2ND – TUES 6TH OCT, 11AM-5PM

Lamorna Kerr Art Group Exhibition
Lamorna Village Hall, Cove Road. Free admission.

After Lamorna Birch died in 1955, his daughter Mornie Kerr, started painting classes in Lamorna Village Hall and later in Flagstaff Cottage. She also led a small group at Goldsithney in the beginning but exhibitions were always held at Lamorna. Mornie always encouraged young painters in the valley and classes were lively and informative. She died in 1990 and the class foundered for a while without their rudder but due to the forceful encouragement of Muriel Beach, Pat Taylor and Christine Gardiner the class reformed as a group much as it is today, now with a waiting list. They continue the tradition of holding an annual exhibition in the village hall and encourage members to develop their own style and skills.

FRI 2ND OCT, 7.00PM

Pints & Poetry Evening, at The Lamorna Wink, Cove Road.
Free entry - a collection will be taken for the Precious Lives Campaign.

The famous Lamorna Wink has long been a favourite meeting place for artists and writers, including Dylan Thomas when he stayed here in the 1950s. Although we have active local poets at this event, it’s a very informal evening where anyone that wants to can get up and recite a favourite piece or show off their own poetic skills.

SAT 3RD OCT, 10AM

Illustrated Talk by author David Bradfield: ‘Seal Weatherby’ St Buryan Village Hall.
Free entry - a collection will be taken for the Precious Lives Campaign.

A fully illustrated talk by the author of In Field and Stable; The Life and Work of Richard ‘Seal’ Weatherby. In a fascinating overview of the life of this, until now, less well known Lamorna artist, David will cover Seal’s early life, art school and arrival in Lamorna, to his service in WW1, travels to Kashmir and his later life here in Cornwall. A welcome reappraisal of the work of this versatile artist, showing his superb skills in both water colour and oils, in portraiture, landscape and especially equestrian painting.

SUN 4TH OCT, 7.30PM (doors open 7pm)

Music for an Autumn Evening, a concert of popular and classical music featuring St Buryan Male Voice Choir, A’Cappella choir and pianist Dee Lucas.
St Buryan Parish Church.Tickets £5, available at the door or in advance from St Buryan Post Office and Old Well Studio (01736 810469).

With its 90ft tower, St Buryan parish church is visible over most of the Land’s End peninsula. Choirs have for long been a major feature of life in Cornwall and Lamorna is no different; two of our best local choirs have members that live in Lamorna. This concert features both of these, the St Buryan Male Voice Choir and the A’Capella Choir. They will be joined by classically trained Lamorna pianist Dee Lucas and together will give us an evening of both light and classical music which, in the beautiful setting of this ancient church, is too good to miss. Tickets £5, available at the door or in advance from St Buryan Post Office and Old Well Studio (01736 810469).

SUN 4TH & MON 5TH OCT, 11AM

Guided walks by Keith Gardiner around the studios of the original Lamorna Art Colony artists.
Meet outside Lamorna Wink
Suggested donation of £3 per person.

Keith is the son of impressionist painter Stanley Gardiner, and still lives in the family cottage and paints in Stanley’s original studio.Having grown up in Lamorna, Keith has a store of memories of the artists, writers and other characters in the post war period, including Lamorna Birch himself. In his guided walks he will show you the studios and homes that they worked from. Walks start from the car park of the Lamorna Wink.

Lamorna Gardens

Lamorna is well known for its gardens and even late in the season they can be beautiful and peaceful havens. Many of our Open Studios are themselves set in pleasant gardens, but in addition some of Lamorna’s best private gardens will be open during the Arts Festival. Amongst these are ‘Trewoofe House’, the beautiful garden of Maryella Pigott and formerly the home of leading Lamorna artists Ella & Charles Naper. Dick & Barbara Waterson are also opening their garden at ‘Trewoofe Orchard’, the former home of philosopher Alfred Sidgwick and his authoress wife Cecily, reputedly a popular partying venue for the original art colony. The private garden with surely the most spectacular view in Cornwall, the sub-tropical cliff garden ‘Chygurno’, will also be open throughout. Watch out for Open Garden signs.