St Ives Arts and History

St Ives Art

St Ives artists have long been at the heart of the town’s cultural history, and there are several outstanding art galleries in St Ives, Cornwall.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

St Ives is fortunate enough to have been home to one of Britain’s most talented sculptors, Barbara Hepworth. After the outbreak of the Second World War, Hepworth came to live in Cornwall with her family. She lived and worked in Trewyn studios – now the Barbara Hepworth Museum – which to this day contains much of Hepworth’s remaining work, including an array of bronzes and sculptures. This hidden gem provides an opportunity to gain a remarkable insight into her work and outlook and features a tranquil sculpture garden, museum and workshop.

Leach Pottery

Located within St Ives is Leach Pottery, one of the most famous and influential pottery studios in the world. You’ll find a museum, gallery and shop, as well as regular shows featuring work by regional, national and international potters dedicated to the legacy of celebrated potter Bernard Leach. Among its various exhibitions and activities, visitors can sign up for pottery throwing courses to hand-build their own mug, teapot or jug. With plenty of clay workshops for kids too, this is a great place to spend an afternoon getting messy. Not one to be missed!

Tate St Ives

The bold and beautiful building of Tate St Ives, with spectacular views over Porthmeor Beach, is one of the best galleries in St Ives – and, indeed, Cornwall. It displays British and international modern and contemporary art. Part of the world-famous Tate network, Tate St Ives is family-friendly and offers a range of events and activities throughout the year. Artworks from pioneers in the field are drawn from the broader Tate collection and are displayed alongside a changing contemporary exhibition programme. There are also excellent views of the old town at the Café, with menus based on premium Cornish produce.

St Ives History

The history of St Ives is rich and fascinating, and the town has long been shaped by its connection to the sea and its traditional Cornish industries, particularly fishing and mining.

Saint Ives

St Ives derives its name from St Ia (ia), an Irish princess and missionary who, according to legend, sailed from Ireland to Cornwall in the 5^th or 6^th century.

The St Ives Feast, which takes place in February each year, celebrates the concentration of the Parish Church in 1434. Steeped in tradition, this event features parades, dancing, music and the hurling of the silver ball!

St Ia Parish Church

St Ives church is called St Ia Parish Church and is dedicated to St Ia (ia), a little-known Irish missionary who arrived in Cornwall in the 5^th or 6th century and after whom the town is named.

The church was originally constructed during King Henry V’s reign in the early 1400s and offers fascinating insights into St Ives’ local culture and industries.

Its 90-foot tower is constructed from locally quarried Zennor granite, and at the base of the tower lies a 15th-century stone cross. Inside the church, visitors can admire the church’s intricate curved roof and stunning stained-glass windows. One of its most notable features is a sculpture of the Madonna and Child by Dame Barbara Hepworth. This poignant piece sits in the Lady Chapel and was created as a tribute to Hepworth’s son, who was killed in 1953 whilst flying with the Royal Air Force.

Fishing and Mining in St Ives

Until quite recently, fishing and mining were the backbone of St Ives’ economy, providing livelihoods for generations of residents.

At its peak, 1,500 fishermen operated out of St Ives and around 300 boats were actively fishing millions of local pilchards. As well as being local fayre, these pilchards were salted and pressed into barrels before being exported to the Mediterranean.

Mining was also a dominant industry, with St Ives and the surrounding area being a major centre for tin and copper extraction. By the mid-19th century, 19 mines operated in and around the town. Throughout the centuries, tin and copper were used to make tools, weapons, food containers and for soldering. The metals were also shipped across to mainland Europe.

St Ives Museum

The St Ives Museum in Cornwall is located in the heart of the town’s historic fishing quarter, Downlong. This museum houses an extensive collection of artefacts and exhibitions showcasing St Ives’ past industries, including fishing, farming, and mining. It is situated in Wheal Dream, just a short distance from Smeaton’s Pier, in a building that has had many lives – first as a pilchard curing cellar, then a Bible Christian Chapel, later a laundry, and even a cinema! Today, the museum is primarily run by volunteers, preserving and sharing St Ives’ rich heritage with visitors. It remains a must-see for anyone wanting to understand the town’s unique past.