News — Dave pentin

As the end of the year approaches, it's a natural time to review how our first year panned out. Well, we have to say it wasn't what we expected!  Being forced to close three weeks after opening wasn't an action anyone could have predicted. Completely necessary for the health of the country it hurt in more ways than one. A new business with very little paperwork of income, we didn't qualify for any of the government help and had to rely on our fantastic resident artists for financial support. However, the most frustrating aspect of the lockdown was the change to...

It's been a busy weekend so far, and we are looking forward to many more visitors in the coming week for the Open Studios Cornwall event.  Most of our guests have been surprised that anything exists beyond the gallery. The labyrinth of rooms which make up the event space and studios span all three floors of the building aren’t apparent from the front of the building but are put to good use by our residents.  Our resident artists Dave, Lee and Derek beaver away behind the scenes creating masterpieces while Sam is often found hammering away at her keyboard as she...

An eye-catching collection of work is cluttering the hallways of the gallery at the moment waiting to be hung, as our resident artists get ready for Open Studios Cornwall on the 29th August. One particular exclusive collection by Dave Pentin will be on show in the first-floor event space. A stunning series of seven images, Dave has been working hard to turn his long term fascination with the local passageways - Ope's - into a series of paintings specifically for the event.  Although found throughout the South-West, the word Ope is featured in the Cornish dictionary, as meaning an alley (between buildings). In Cornwall, Ope's typically sprung up in between workshops and houses...

Exceptional circumstances often generate acts of generosity and community spirit. We are lucky that the art community is always very giving and supportive. Maybe its because most artists have at one time, or another felt the pain and heartache of barely making ends meet.  I remember living off tuna rice salad in those days of waiting for the grant cheque to come in before credit cards were every item in your wallet. Checking the emails in eager anticipation of our next booking, which meant we would survive when we started our chalet business. Fighting AXA to refund the cost of emergency surgery in...

At last, we have a date for our gallery opening. Well, actually, we have three dates. You could say that we are doing things on a grand scale, but in all honesty, the space is quite small, so it fills quite quickly. And it would be nice to dedicate some time to chat with everyone who has made an effort to visit on what could be another wet and windy night, rather than the brief hello you manage at a wedding. With the date in the diary and mayor now invited, the behind the scene machine has now started. All...