St Ives is such an arty place, it is not surprising there are lots of art classes, workshops, courses and drop in sessions you can attend, both with children and also just for yourself. Some of them only run in the school holidays and are aimed more at children, but others run throughout the year. I've not just stuck to St Ives either, I've gone a bit further afield as there are some good ones that are worth travelling for.
To book any of these you need to contact the venues directly - I'm just writing about them, not running anything!
1. Tate St Ives
The Tate St Ives run some lovely activities for children during the school holidays.
A few workshops they are running this Summer (2022) are:
- Tate Create - create art inspired by Ad Minoliti's colourful exhibition. 1st Aug - 2nd Sept 11am to 3pm. Please book a timed ticket in advance.
- Beach workshops every Wednesday & Friday in August. £4.50 per child and they must be accompanied by an adult.
View all the art sessions at Tate St Ives >>
2. The Leach Pottery
The Leach Pottery runs some lovely workshops for children.
Some of the workshops they do are:
- Clay Play for under 5s. These run June to October and cost £6 per child.
- Make Your Own Piggy Bank - £8 or free with a TR26 or TR27 postcode
- Summer school for 11-16s
View all of the art workshops offered by the Leach Pottery >>
3. Heart Of The Woods
The Heart Of The Woods is a forest school which runs from Cubit Woods in Carbis Bay. They run some lovely workshops over the school holidays which include learning lots of nature skills and craft activities.
View Heart Of The Woods workshops >>
4. St Ives Community Orchard
St Ives Community Orchard often have craft workshops such as spoon whittling, weaving, and all sorts of natural crafts.
View St Ives Community Orchard FB page >>
5. Cygnets Art School
Cygnets Art School is run from the Island Centre in St Ives. They run the most amazing after school art classes (which my daughter and her friends go to). Over the school holidays they also run school holiday workshops on a Friday.
View Cygnets Art School school holiday workshops >>
6. St Ives School Of Painting
The St Ives School Of Painting is run from Porthmeor Studios on Back Road W. They offer a superb range of workshops and classes, including drop in sessions, short courses, long courses and childrens workshops.
View St Ives School Of Painting Art Workshops >>
7. Barnoon Workshop
Barnoon Workshop in St Ives offers lots of workshops in a wide range of art and craft subjects. These include indoor workshops and lots of outdoor sketching and painting. Lots of them are suitable for both children and adults, so the whole family can create art together.
View Barnoon Workshop Events >>
8. St Ives Library
St Ives Library offers lots of art and craft sessions, including book making, sewing and other lovely things. We have done quite a few with our children and they have really enjoyed them.
View St Ives Library Facebook page >>
9. St Ives Pottery
St Ives Pottery run lessons from their studio in Hayle and offer wheel throwing to both beginners and more advanced.
View St Ives Pottery website >>
St Ives Glass Art Workshop
Terri offers fused glass art workshops from a little studio in Carbis Bay.
View St Ives Glass Art Workshop Facebook Page >>
I Should Coco
I Should Coco is an amazing chocolate shop in St Ives who also offer chocolate making workshops. They are suitable for all ages who like chocolate!
View I Should Coco Workshops >>
Annabel Wilkes Print Making
Annabel offers fun and exciting print workshops for both children and adults in her studio in Newmill.
View Annabel Wilkes website >>
9. Hayle Heritage Centre
Hayle Heritage Centre offers some lovely free children's art activities over the Summer holidays.
View The Hayle Heritage Centre Events >>
10. Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Penlee House run regular family arty activities over the summer holidays. These free family activities take place every Thursday between 28 July and 1 September; drop by any time between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
Visit The Penlee House Events >>
11. Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange
The Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange run some lovely art activities, including little artist Summer sessions.
View The Newlyn Exchange Events >>
12. CAST-Off, Helston
This Summer Cast Off are running their lovely art activities for children again. These are free artist-led activities on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 3 to 28 August. All activities are offered on a drop-in basis, no booking required.
View the Cast Off Art Activities website >>
13. Potty Dotty, Conor Downs
Pottery Taster Day for all ages. Saturday 6th August. £10pp. Call 07952 710 452 to book.
14. Kresen Kernow, Redruth
There are lots of family events on at Kresen Kernow this summer holiday – and most of them are free!
View The Kresen Kernow events >>
15. National Maritime Museum, Falmouth
The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth put on some lovely art activities for the children during the school holidays. These are free as part of the entry ticket.
View The National Maritime Museum website >>
16. PK Porthcurno
PK Porthcurno (formerly the Telegraph Museum) put on some lovely family Summer activities
View The PK Porthcurno events >>
17. Falmouth Art Gallery
Over the Summer holidays the Falmouth Art Gallery put on free family art workshops.
View The Falmouth Art Gallery Website >>
18. The Poly, Falmouth
The Poly in Falmouth are holding some lovely pottery workshops for both children and adults. They also have the Cygnets Art School sessions here too.