About - Padstow Art Group

About Us

Derek, the chairman of Padstow Art Group.

Tell’s our story:

Founded In 1978

Padstow Art & Craft group was formed in 1978 by my father, Bill; he was so concerned about our heritage, as well as setting up Padstow Museum. He also set-up Padstow Art and Craft Group in order to teach and retain skills in traditional crafts, to ensure they would survive and be passed onto the next generation.

My father would teach people how to carve wood and other carpentry skills. I taught crochet and others shared skills in lacemaking, traditional knitting. Whilst Jim Lennon taught painting, using watercolours, acrylics and oils. We went on for a few years like this, slowly the teaching of craft diminished, as more people took up painting. The group steadily upskilled local artists and became the Padstow Art Group that exists today.
Padstow Art Group was formed and membership ensued

We quickly grew in popularity, amassing a group large enough, so that at one time, we filled two art classes a week! Our artistic family changed over the years along the way, we lost some incredible artistic friends.

Now, we hold weekly classes where local artists come to share their hobby, together, we paint, share a cuppa and much laughter. We support each other, advise on techniques and help create some incredible art.
Exhibitions

Our friends encouraged us to ‘showcase’ our paintings, so we began an exhibition for our friends and families held in St. Merryn and Trevone. Later the local vicar’ Father Chris, invited us to use Padstow Parish Church to exhibit our art and try to sell it. At first we didn’t think it would raise funds for his planned major restoration of the interior of the church imagine our surprise when over the years we raised a substantial amount which was donated to the church’s coracle appeal, between 2008 and 2011. So began our history of holding art exhibitions to support some incredible local causes and charities.

When you visit our exhibitions and discover the talent of local Cornwall based artists, to view the amazing art we made over the years together. When you fall in love with a painting, you know that not only are you supporting local people, develop their talent, you are also supporting the good causes and charities that all the members vote to support.
Donations

As an Art group, at the end of each year, we meet to agree on which local charities and good causes to support. We later hold a presentation evening and invite the selected lucky recipients to attend and we make our presentations. Over the years we have donated to: Cornwall Air Ambulance, Cornwall Hospice Care, The Blood Bikes, Padstow Parish Church, The Chernobyl Children International, Padstow's Little Theatre, Padstow’s Sea Cadets, Guides, Scouts, Barncoose Limb User Group, Padstow Tourist Information Centre, Padstow Christmas Lights Appeal, Padstow Memorial Hall Refurbishment appeal We donated to a local lads accordian appeal and many more besides etc. Over the years we've donated over £10,000, thank you for helping us to support our community.