September | A focus on art
September in St Ives is a captivating time for art enthusiasts, as the town's rich artistic heritage comes to life in a vibrant celebration. Known for its stunning coastal landscapes and unique quality of light, St Ives has long been a haven for artists and creatives.
Each September, St Ives hosts a variety of art events, exhibitions, and festivals that highlight its deep-rooted connection to the arts. From the prestigious Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum to the local galleries and open studios, visitors are treated to an inspiring array of contemporary and classic works.
The St Ives September Festival stands at the heart of these celebrations, offering two weeks of immersive art experiences, live performances, and community events. Whether you're an avid art collector or simply appreciate the beauty of creativity, St Ives in September provides an unforgettable artistic journey.
Taking place between the 14th – 28th September, the St Ives September Festival is a calendar highlight and offers two weeks of live music, art, theatre, comedy, workshops and much more. Featuring an eclectic mix of both emerging talent and estabaished acts, the festival offers something for everyone and allows you to immerse yourself in the more vibrant side of St Ives.
If you want to turn your focus more towards the arts, there are many exhibitions, open studios and interactive workshops for all to enjoy. These events cover a wide range from wild-sketching to creative writing and take place at various venues throughout the town. Furthermore, during the festival there’s also the opportunity to enjoy a guided art tour, providing an in-depth look at the creative processes and opportunities to meet the artists behind the works.
If Jazz is more your thing, the R Bar will be hosting live Jazz music throughout the festival With a varied scheduled of events, it’s best to check the listings for further information, but with events planned for 12 out of the 15 nights, there’s likely to be something on during your time in St Ives.
Tate St Ives presents a retrospective of the work of artist Beatriz Milhazes, who is known for intensely colourful, large-scale abstract canvases. The exhibition Beatriz Milhazes: Maresias traces the evolution of her artistic approach over the past four decades and is available until the 29th September.
Also available at Tate St Ives, and for the very first time, five of Mark Rothko’s Seagram murals are also available to view. This one-room display includes five of the nine murals in the Tate collection. Presented, as the artist intended, in a single space with reduced light, these works offer a meditative conclusion to the exhibitions and displays at Tate St Ives.
As a Sail Lofts guest, you can enjoy complimentary entry to Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Simply visit our onsite office during your stay, and our friendly team will assist in booking your tickets.
A short stroll from our luxury self-catering in St Ives, sits the Penwith Gallery, home to the Penwith Society of Artists.
The art gallery, formerly a pilchard packing factory, has a remarkable complex of buildings, including three public galleries, Porthmeor Printmakers Workshop, ten artists’ studios, a sculpture courtyard, shop and archive. This allows for an exciting programme of both contemporary and historical exhibitions year-round.
This September, the gallery presents ‘Imaginary Pathways’ by Stephanie Sandercock. Her work captures the relationship between imagination and texture and colour.
The second exhibition this September is by Six Corsham Alumni bringing together the work of six artists who all studied at Bath Academy of Art. ‘Then and Now’ celebrates the connection between their work over time and is available until 28th September.
For more information about these exhibitions and others taking place at Penwith Gallery, please click here.
September is a wonderful time of year to visit St Ives especially if you would like to look through St Ives with an artistic lens, so why not indulge your cultural cravings and head west this September? With a lovely range of St Ives holiday cottages to choose from, our wonderfully placed properties put you at the very heart of St Ives' creative side.
We hope to see you soon.
Rachel
