Friends of Penlee House

31/05/2026

We received some absolutely wonderful feedback on our last event, Before Cryséde.

‘It was a fascinating talk. The speaker was very knowledgeable.”

“A lovely and very informative evening.”

“[a] wonderful speaker, we enjoyed her talk immensely.”

Our lectures are a key offering to our Friends, and we’re thrilled to get such wonderful feedback.

Please have a look at our website for our upcoming events, and we hope you’ll enjoy them just as much.

20/05/2026

Huge Congratulations!

🏆 Penlee House wins Exhibition of the Year 🏆

We are delighted to have won Exhibition of the Year at the Cornwall Heritage Awards, hosted by Cornwall Council .

We are also thrilled that Milo Berwick received Commended in the One to One category, recognising their fantastic volunteering work at the Gallery.

Penlee House won the Exhibition of the Year (Larger Venues) award for The Shape of Things: Our Place in a Changing Climate, which ran from 5 February to 26 April 2025.

The exhibition explored the effects of climate change in Cornwall through historic artworks and photographs from the Penlee House collections, created in collaboration with more than 30 organisations, schools, community groups and environmental champions.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees — Cornwall’s heritage community is truly fantastic!

📸 Pictured: Zoe Burkett, Education Officer, and Katie Smith, Learning Assistant.
Love Penzance Penzance Council Friends of Penlee House Geddon PZ The Arts Society West Cornwall Penzance Voice Coast FM BBC Cornwall

05/05/2026

Our next talk is a fascinating exploration of the women behind Cryséde Silks and their incredible contributions to the local economy!

📅 Date: 19 May 2026
🕝 Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ Tickets: £7 for Friends | £15 for General Admission

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the rich history of Newlyn, the impact of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the inspiring stories of talented women who shaped the fashion world. Janet Axten will share her extensive research that brings these voices to light.

Tickets from our website and usual links. We look forward to seeing you.

30/04/2026

We were delighted to see Gurnards Head, No.2, 1947 by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912 - 2004) a painting the Friends helped to buy in 2024, as part of the outstanding Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art exhibition, which opened at Penlee House yesterday.

The exhibition which is a unique collaboration between Penlee House, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, and Kirkcaldy Galleries runs until 27 September 2026.

22/04/2026

✨ Vote for Penlee House ✨

We’re thrilled to be finalists in the Favourite Arts, Culture & Theatre category at the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Cornwall Awards!

To be recognised alongside so many incredible local cultural venues across Cornwall means so much to us. From inspiring exhibitions and community events to learning programmes celebrating the art and history of West Cornwall, Penlee House Gallery & Museum continues to be a place for creativity, heritage and connection.

If you’ve enjoyed visiting us, supported our exhibitions, attended an event, or simply believe in the importance of local culture, we’d be so grateful for your vote.

Vote here: https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Every single vote makes a difference — thank you for supporting us and helping celebrate culture in West Cornwall ✨
Love Penzance Penzance Council Friends of Penlee House Penzance BID

07/04/2026

20/03/2026

For the last few years our President Kurt Jackson has focused his artistic sights on one of our most well-known and spectacular wildflowers, the foxglove.

His new exhibition Foxgloves, opens today at the Jackson Foundation Gallery in St Just, and runs until 8 August 2026.

We’re having a sneak peak tonight, and it is excellent. Make sure you get to see it.

17/03/2026

Did you miss the last visit to St Michael’s Mount to explore the Sheila Hichens Collection at the Steward’s House with art historian Catherine Wallace?

Don’t worry — you have another chance!

Hosted by the Friends of Penlee House, this exclusive guided tour offers a rare opportunity to experience this culturally significant collection in a truly unique setting.

🎟 Tickets
£20 – Friends of Penlee House
£25 – General Admission

📆 Tuesday 24 March
📍 Meeting point: Stewards House, St Michael’s Mount
🕑 Time: 1.30pm

Please note: Entry to the Castle or Gardens is not included and must be booked separately.

Limited mobility transport to the Mount may be available — please contact Judith Summers at [email protected] for details.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to explore the collection with expert insight in one of Cornwall’s most iconic locations.

Tickets via our website.

11/03/2026

✨ We need your help! ✨

Please nominate Penlee House Gallery & Museum in the Arts, Culture & Theatre category for the Muddy Stilettos Cornwall Awards 2026.

These awards celebrate brilliant local businesses and cultural venues, and nominations are open right now. It only takes a moment to show your support for one of West Cornwall’s favourite cultural spaces.

From inspiring exhibitions to community events and learning programmes, Penlee House continues to celebrate the art and history of West Cornwall. The gallery has recently won ‘Exhibition of the Year’ at the Cornwall Heritage Awards and Silver at the Cornwall Tourism Awards, highlighting the incredible work of the team and volunteers.

💛 If you love Penlee House, please nominate us here:
https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/nominate/

Every nomination counts — thank you for your support!
fans Penzance Council Friends of Penlee House Love Penzance

24/02/2026

Please do join us for our next talk, on Tuesday 3 March, which will be given by Lorraine Downes who will explore the topic of portraiture focussing on the current Penlee House exhibition ‘Face to Face’.

We will look at a range of works from over a hundred years of people who lived and worked in West Cornwall, all shaping our community. Some are known to us, while others remain anonymous.

Lorraine read Humanities with Art History, obtaining a first-class honours degree and has undertaken further study of the vibrant Cornish culture. She has been a volunteer Tate Gallery Guide since 2005, as well as leading tours at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. In addition to all that, she also launched the guided tour programme at Penlee House Gallery & Museum in 2017, which now has a team of 6 volunteer guides.

Lorraine enjoys sharing her passion for international art and history, and her talk next week will include artworks to thrill and touch your soul.

📅 Date: 3 March 2026

🕝 Time: 7.30 pm

📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance

🎟️ Tickets: £7 Friends | £15 General admission