Porthmeor Studios and Cellars

Porthmeor Studios is a complex of artists' studios, built on top of eighteenth century pilchard cellars below. It is the oldest, possibly the only such complex in Britain and is unique in its combined heritage of fishing and art. 

The studios and cellars are still a working complex and are home to fifteen resident artists and a few local fishermen. 
It has recently been renovated; a project funded in part by HLF.

Porthmeor Studios is a Grade II* listed building of great significance to the local community, and it is vital that the repairs and alterations are handled with the greatest sensitivity.

"The magical quality of the studio spaces and (cellars) has been preserved and enhanced. Thrilling!"

"An eye-opening glimpse into a world which we know nothing of. Fascinating!"

We do not have a permanent collection. However, an art installation, The Maritime Artist, by Mark Dion has been created in one of the cellars, using both fishing and art objects from various times in the building's history.

The St Ives Set

The building we now know as Porthmeor Studios was one of the largest and would serve as a base for many of the pre-eminent artists associated with the St Ives School, including Ben Nicholson, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and latterly Terry Frost and Patrick Heron. Meanwhile, fishermen continued to use the cellars to store and repair their nets.

School of Painting

Today, the School of Painting operates out of two of the studios while the Tate Gallery has historically run a residency programme in Studio 5. The remaining studios are rented out to local and national artists. Meanwhile, twelve boats continue to work out of the fishermen’s cellars lying beneath the studios.