The New Craftsman is the oldest commercial gallery in St Ives. Originally established by Janet Leach, wife of Bernard Leach and an acclaimed potter in her own right in the 1960s, Janet was later joined by Mary "Boots" Redgrave as business partner. Boots in turn brought with her Michael Hunt as manager. The New Craftsman is currently owned by Paul and Ylenia Haase, who are delighted to be involved
in such a fascinating Gallery. The team of staff are very helpful and knowledgeable about the work displayed in the gallery and the craftspeople who produce it. Initially focusing on paintings, sculpture and quality studio pottery, New Craftsman gained an international reputation amongst discerning art and craft collectors. It was regarded by some as one of the most important spaces for contemporary painters in St Ives, nurturing the reputations of figures such as Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Bryan Winter, Patrick Heron and Peter Lanyon. It then widened its range to ceramics regularly showing works by Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. Now, it shows original paintings by emerging Cornish artists alongside a varied range of quality contemporary crafts including glass, automata, wood, handmade jewellery, ceramic sculptures and metalwork.
