LAMORNA ART GROUP in the Crypt Gallery

Lamorna Comes to St.Ives

Founded in the 1950’s by Mornie Kerr, daughter of Royal Academician S.J. Lamorna Birch,
six members of the Lamorna Group of artists are bringing their work to St.Ives. Their
Summer Exhibition at The Crypt Gallery, Norway Square will run from Saturday August 1st to
Friday August 7th 2026.

Featuring work by Cathie Ashley, Roz Astin, Sarah Howell, Paulette Perry, Sally Peterson and
Ken Swift, the exhibition brings together a diverse range of artistic styles, united by a shared
connection to Cornwall’s landscape, light and changing seasons.

The Group follows in the footsteps of a rich artistic heritage in Lamorna, which has inspired
generations of artists including Birch himself, Alfred Munnings, Laura Knight and Ithell
Colquhoun. Meeting throughout the year on a weekly basis the current group paint, learn
and critique together creating a supportive and collaborative artistic community.

Emerging from the challenges and disruption caused by Storm Gorétti, the exhibition reflects
both resilience and optimism with work that responds to nature, atmosphere and
environment through a variety of media, techniques and interpretations.
Local artist and group member Sally Peterson, who also runs the Roundhouse Gallery at
Sennen Cove, said:

“What makes this exhibition special is the diversity of the work. Each artist approaches
painting differently, but there is a shared sense of light, colour and optimism throughout the
exhibition.”

Fellow artist Ken Swift, owner of Penwith Framing Gallery, added:
“One of the strengths of the group is that people are prepared to push their own work in
different directions. You’ll see traditional landscape alongside much more contemporary
pieces, but all of it comes from artists who are actively painting, discussing and developing
their work together on a regular basis.”

The Lamorna Group Summer Exhibition runs from Saturday 1st

August to Friday 7th August

2026 at The Crypt Gallery, Norway Square, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1NA. All are welcome to
the Private View on Saturday 1st from 5.00 – 7.30 pm.

The exhibition is open daily from 10:30am to 5:00pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

An Opening Party will take place on Saturday 1 August from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, and
visitors are warmly invited to meet the artists and celebrate the start of the exhibition.