I’ve always been a keen supporter of art that finds its way into non-gallery environments: in the past I’ve curated and shown artists’ work in churches, village halls, shop windows, museums, theatres, the sides of buildings, woodland…we artists find our way to new audiences, and tap into new ways of seeing our own work. Working with the St Clare Medical Centre in Penzance is another positive example of reaching out. This is the third year that members of the Society have presented their work in this busy community setting, and, as I’ve worked there hanging paintings, fixing labels etc, I’ve been delighted and surprised by how much the patients and staff value and interact with the work on show.
At the Open evening on 28th February one work was selected to be purchased by the Partners at the practice, to kick-start their own collection. Stuart Ross’s ‘ Carn Brea from Park Bottom’ was, apparently, a unanimous choice, and Dr Matthew Boulter was there to announced the recipient of the first ‘Partners’ Prize’. Well done Stuart – and well done all the artists who participated, and well done to myself and Viv Pedley for organising this year’s show. It’s really not too onerous a job, so perhaps other members will be encouraged to take it on in 2026?
In the meantime – the Practice has some very bare walls in the three meeting rooms, and if you want to make room in your studio and let go of those large canvases for a few months, you’ll be welcomed with open arms!
