Cath Wallace- Art Historian

27/08/2026

My new series of art history talks begins on 24 September at a new time of 2.30pm in the afternoon. This first talk looks at American and Canadian Impressionists in Cornwall 1880s - 1930s .
Many American artists came to Cornwall from the mid- 1880s onwards mainly to St. Ives where the aesthetic of impressionism was the dominant artistic movement endorsed by visits from the likes of James McNeil Whistler. Others followed including Frederick Waugh, Sydney Lawrence, Walter Elmer Schofield, Anna Hills and Euphemia Charlton Fortune. Examples of these artists work are included in this talk along with that of several women artists from Canada also came to paint the light of St. Ives including Emily Carr, Helen Galloway McNicoll, Mary Bell Eastlake and Henrietta Hancock Britton. Book via The Poly Cost £13+£1 Poly Fund . Discounts available for Students and those on benefits. .Ives

20/08/2026

My next study day is on the art and artists of the Lizard from the 19th century to the present day to be held at Falmouth Art Gallery. on 9 September 10.30 - 3.00pm . The day will consist of 3 lectures in addition there will be a chance to see relevant works from Falmouth Art Gallery's collection. Cost £35 also available online on 15th September. To book a ticket please visit https://cathwallace.co.uk/art-history-study-days/ to book multiple tickets please pay by BACS - email [email protected] for details or send a cheque to Pendarves, Tremough Dale, Penryn TR108JA

31/07/2026

Here is a list of all the dates, times and venues for my Autumn/winter series of Art history lectures 2026 to 2027. To read more visit https://cathwallace.co.uk/art-history-lectures-2/. Please reserve a place and pay before attending if possible. You can pay by BACS or cheque either email me at [email protected] or text 07974995085 . and I will send bank details.

30/07/2026

Looking forward to this and taking guided tours around it. To book visit https://cathwallace.co.uk/guided-tours-2/

This photo, taken in the early 1940s, shows Wilhelmina Barns-Graham through the window of her studio lying on Porthmeor Beach with a friend 🌊

Barns-Graham was a painter, printmaker and draughtsman, and her work generally lay on the divide between abstract and representational, typically drawing on inspirations from landscapes.

She moved to St Ives in 1940, finding herself surrounded by a ready-made community of artists including Ben Nicholson and Naum Gabo. Soon after her arrival she met Borlase Smart, and he became a big supporter, arranging a studio next to Porthemor Beach – now known as Porthmeor Studios, located near Tate St Ives.

This October, we have an Barns-Graham retrospective, charting the full length of her incredible career.

27/07/2026