Cornwall

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-art-exhibitions-in-cornwall">NEW! Art Exhibitions in Cornwall</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="690" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ithell-Colquhoun-Alcove-1946-1000x690.jpg" alt="Ithell Colquhoun, Alcove, 1946, Tate St Ives, Cornwall
" class="wp-image-35995" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ithell-Colquhoun-Alcove-1946-1000x690.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ithell-Colquhoun-Alcove-1946-800x552.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ithell-Colquhoun-Alcove-1946-768x530.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ithell-Colquhoun-Alcove-1946.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Opening at Tate St Ives from Sat 1 Feb is a new exhibition looking at the life and works of Ithell Colquhoun, (1906-1988) an important, but often overlooked figure in British Surrealism. <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/ithell-colquhoun-between-worlds">Ithell Colquhoun: Between Worlds</a> is a new exhibition of her work showcasing over 170 artworks and pieces of archival material including painting, drawing and writing, many of which have never been publicly exhibited. Once the exhibition closes on 5 May 2025 in St Ives, it moves to the Tate Britain from 12 Jun &#8211; 19 Oct 2025.



The exhibition traces Colquhoun’s artist evolution. From her earliest work numerous pieces show her engagement with the surrealist movement (if you&#8217;re thinking what&#8217;s surrealism, think of works by Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí or Paul Nash?). Later rooms consider Colquhoun’s fascination with the intertwining realms of art, sexual identity, ecology, magic and mysticism. Look out for my review soon.



Also in St Ives, and opening Fri 31 Jan 2025 is the <a href="https://penwithgallery.com/exhibition/members-exhibition/">Members&#8217; Exhibition 2025</a>, a diverse exhibition of sculptures, ceramics, paintings, drawings, and prints from the Members of The Penwith Society of Arts. The Muddy Award winning gallery will be hosting the exhibition until Mon 7 April 2025.



In Falmouth, opening Sat 1 Feb 2025 the <a href="https://www.falmouthtowncouncil.co.uk/events/the-trinity-buoy-wharf-drawing-prize-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024</a> exhibition arrives from Salisbury. From a worldwide submission of contemporary drawings, 94 drawings by 88 artists were shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 exhibition, and 21 drawings by 20 practitioners were shortlisted for the Working Drawing Award.



In Penzance, opening on Weds 5 Feb 2025 is a community-curated exhibition, <a href="https://penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/the-shape-of-things-our-place-in-a-changing-climate/">The Shape of Things: Our place in a changing climate</a>. Exploring the effects of climate change in Cornwall, and drawing on historic artworks and photographs from the collections at Penlee House, local environmental groups, such as Sustainable Penzance, the RSPB, Growing Links, Cornwall Climate Care and Mount’s Bay Marine Group, have selected works for inclusion in the exhibition. (Ends Sat 26 April)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="881" height="706" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Cornish-Maids-Group-Show-Wharfside-art-Hub-Penzance-8-28-Feb-2025.png" alt="Cornish Maids Group Show Wharfside art Hub Penzance 8 - 28 Feb 2025" class="wp-image-36011" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Cornish-Maids-Group-Show-Wharfside-art-Hub-Penzance-8-28-Feb-2025.png 881w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Cornish-Maids-Group-Show-Wharfside-art-Hub-Penzance-8-28-Feb-2025-800x641.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Cornish-Maids-Group-Show-Wharfside-art-Hub-Penzance-8-28-Feb-2025-768x615.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px" /></figure>



Also in Penzance, Wharfside Art Hub is showing Cornish Maids, a group show, from Sat 8 -Fri 28 February. Curated by Fran Rowse, Cornish photographer and ‘one to watch’, this show is a celebration of Cornish Femininity in the face of what she describes as a Patriarchal County. Artists include; Faye Dobinson, Arwen Condry, Marie-Claire Hamon, Becky Tyrell, Elizabeth Loveday, Asha Coppack, Emma Digerud-White and many more. They are holding their opening launch on Saturday 8th Feb from 6:30pm, to which all are welcome. Tattoos and Teeth Gems on-site!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-last-chance-to-see-current-art-exhibitions">Last chance to see current art exhibitions</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc1QgWFibqbnfteP-eRvGdqOsrA19qUqlHvkqSEe27s36Y0wopajHGQipoJM8OsnyqVBaq6_zwYk6-VFmEoUACceeLKd-fE4KzsSfEoMMIxM3OC_LgNyJD4NgWjBrZnxavC5xcpYBgCNt3hoYmK0vM_GZU?key=YatHbMw8xnolpG2O2_GSvl0t" alt="Valency Valley, Kurt Jackson" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com/valency/">Valency Valley, Kurt Jackson</a> (Jackson Foundation Gallery, St Just until 22 Feb 2025). The three times Muddy Award winning gallery sees a return to his earliest artistic stomping ground, the Valency Valley, which meets the sea at Boscastle Harbour.



It was here that he cut his artistic teeth, and now, with 40 years of experience under his belt and the philosophy that ‘no man ever steps in the same river twice’, Jackson put nostalgia aside to paint the present and look to the future of a valley so formative in his journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-concerts-and-music">NEW! Concerts and Music </h2>



Plenty on at Hall for Cornwall in Truro to suit all tastes including <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/peter-andre-in-the-best-of-frankie-valli-and-the-four-seasons/">Peter Andre</a> (Sun 2 Feb), <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/taylormania-taylor-swift-eras-the-ultimate-tribute/">Taylormania – Taylor Swift Eras – The Ultimate Tribute</a> (Sun 16 Feb) and <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/jason-donovan-doin-fine-25/">Jason Donovan</a> (Thurs 20 Feb) as well as classical music from <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/bournemouth-symphony-orchestra-2/">Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra</a> (Fri 21 Feb). Sat 8 March sees the <a href="https://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/whats-on/ultraviolet-orchestra-early-show-sat-8-mar-2025-07-00-pm">The Ultraviolet Orchestra</a> lighting up Truro Cathedral. Expect a magical musical extravaganza using UV, lazers and special effects with a live orchestra performing a history of Electronic Pop in a carefully crafted spectacle.



Over at the Eden Project, <a href="https://feverup.com/en/cornwall/candlelight">Candlelit Concerts</a> continue their series, including Coldplay and Vivaldi on Fri 14 Feb, just right for Valentine&#8217;s Day. In Falmouth, lots of fun on at The Cornish Bank, with <a href="https://thecornishbank.co.uk/TheCornishBank.dll/WhatsOn?f=410308">The Scribes</a> playing on Fri 21 Feb. 



In March, <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/public-service-broadcasting/">Public Service Broadcasting</a> play Hall for Cornwall on 18 Mar, meanwhile Falmouth Pavilions host <a href="https://www.falmouthtowncouncil.co.uk/events/gentlemens-dub-club">Gentlemen’s Dub Club</a> (7 Mar) followed by <a href="https://www.falmouthtowncouncil.co.uk/events/turin-brakes-john-bramwell">Turin Brakes and John Bramwell</a> (of I Am Kloot) who have teamed up to bring a special evening stripped back to basics, announcing 10 joint dates across the UK in spring 2025 (8 Mar). <a href="https://www.gigspanner.com/live">Peter Knight&#8217;s Gigspanner</a> roll back into Cornwall as part of their tour mid-March, playing various venues including St Endellion (19 Mar), The Acorn Penzance (20 Mar) and Falmouth Poly (21 Mar).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-stage-theatre-and-comedy-in-cornwall">NEW! Stage, theatre and Comedy in Cornwall</h2>



Paddy McGuinness&#8216; long-awaited return to stand-up will see him perform 40 dates across the UK in 2024 and 2025 including Hall for Cornwall on Thurs 13 Feb as well as a show at London’s prestigious Palladium in his show <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/paddy-mcguiness-nearly-there/">Nearly There</a>.



Phoenix Night’s Clinton Baptiste current tour of his new show <a href="https://launceston-tc.gov.uk/events/clinton-baptiste-roller-ghoster/">Roller Ghoster</a> comes to Launceston Town Hall on Thurs 20 Feb, and <a href="https://launceston-tc.gov.uk/events/the-importance-of-being-earnest/">The Importance of being Earnest</a> is on Fri 21 Feb.



Bristol-based wannabe cool mum, <a href="https://intobodmin.co.uk/events/">Louise Leigh</a>, returns to Bodmin&#8217;s The Old Library after her sell out show in 2023 with a new hour of comedy, absolutely jam-packed with jokes about midlife, raising teens and reclaiming your own youth (22 Feb). 



<a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/white-horse/">WHITE HORSE </a>– which has taken five years to develop &#8211; will run exclusively at The Regal Theatre, Redruth from 28 Feb &#8211; 8 March 2025. Michael Morpurgo&#8217;s famous novel has been reimagined, featuringe Edward Rowe in his first production following Hall for Cornwall’s Jack and the Beanstalk, and renowned film and theatre actor Mary Woodvine alongside a talented Cornish or Cornwall-based cast and creative team and directed by Olivier Award-winning director, Simon Harvey.



In March, Comedy superstar John Bishop is getting <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/john-bishop-back-at-it/">Back At It</a> – doing what he does best – with a new UK stand-up tour including Hall for Cornwall (28 &#8211; 29 Mar). Meanwhile in Launceston, attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as <a href="https://launceston-tc.gov.uk/events/ed-byrne-tragedy-plus-time/">Tragedy Plus Time</a>. Come and join Ed Byrne as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs in his show (19 March).



Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller <a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/an-inspector-calls/">An Inspector Calls</a> returns returns after a record-breaking, sell-out tour in 2022 (11 &#8211; 17 March).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-upcoming-exhibitions">LOOKING AHEAD: UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS</h2>



In Truro, the Royal Cornwall Museum is set to reopen in March with three exciting new gallery spaces to explore. Prepare to dive right into a packed Exhibitions &amp; Events programme with something for everyone. Soak up the nature-rich canvases of Kurt Jackson’s Biodiversity. Enjoy a collaboration between artists and storytellers, in Withy Lore. A variety of artforms celebrate and share the unique craft and heritage of withy pot making (traditional lobster lots) on the Cornish coast. Plus try making your own pot in the workshop. Drop in for a spot of children’s theatre or a film screening at the new-look museum and art gallery. View the spectacular Mineral Gallery.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Alice-Kilpatrick-Dance-of-the-Merry-Maidens-Newlyn-Art-Gallery-4-April-to-7-June-2025-Cornwall-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Alice Kilpatrick Dance of the Merry Maidens Newlyn Art Gallery 4 April to 7 June 2025 Cornwall" class="wp-image-36010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Alice-Kilpatrick-Dance-of-the-Merry-Maidens-Newlyn-Art-Gallery-4-April-to-7-June-2025-Cornwall-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Alice-Kilpatrick-Dance-of-the-Merry-Maidens-Newlyn-Art-Gallery-4-April-to-7-June-2025-Cornwall-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Alice-Kilpatrick-Dance-of-the-Merry-Maidens-Newlyn-Art-Gallery-4-April-to-7-June-2025-Cornwall-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Alice-Kilpatrick-Dance-of-the-Merry-Maidens-Newlyn-Art-Gallery-4-April-to-7-June-2025-Cornwall.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



New at the <a href="https://newlynartgallery.co.uk/activities/the-picture-room-studio-2025/">Newlyn Art Gallery&#8217;s The Picture Room</a> in April is The Dance of The Merry Maidens by Alice Kilpatrick. A series of devotional paintings in honour of our maternal ancestors. Channelled through our ancient granite landscape that held them &#8211; inspired by her own journey into marriage and motherhood. (Fri 4 April &#8211; Sat 7 June). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School-750x1000.png" alt="" class="wp-image-36012" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School-750x1000.png 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School-600x800.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School-768x1024.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Emma-Digerud-White-Solo-show-May-2025-Truro-School.png 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



Cornish artist Emma Digerud-White will be at the The Gallery at Truro Girls School. Using the space to explore new ideas and practices to produce new work, the showcase at the end of her residency is open to all (3-9 May).

What’s on? Cornwall’s Arts and Culture Planner for Spring 2025

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