Porthleven Arts Launch

Porthleven Arts Community is a new Community Interest Company, formed to support and bring together local artists, innovators and creatives.

As well as nurturing and celebrating the wealth of artistic talent existing within Porthleven, the team also plans to bring nationally and internationally recognised artists to work, exhibit and perform in the village.

Membership of Porthleven Arts Community is free. As a member, you can join Working Groups for projects which interest you, contribute new ideas, start your own projects with others or simply support the venture. You will receive a regular newsletter keeping you up-to-date with projects as well as invitations to exhibitions and arts events. Join at http://porthlevenarts.com/#contact

Formed with the belief that everyone has the right to experience and participate in art. Porthleven Creative Arts will curate a number of projects and a year-round calendar of events including an annual Arts Festival. The group will encourage participation and appreciation, making art accessible in all its diverse forms and increase opportunities for artists working across disciplines.

The group was inspired by Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company owner, Trevor Osborne, who is a Director of the new CIC alongside members of the community including Hannabeth Johnson, Manager of Porthleven Markets and a founder and former Chair of the Porthleven Food Festival; Kelvin Batt, owner of the Mussel Shoal and organiser of the Masked Ball; Alec Short, Porthleven Food Festival Chair and creator of festivals including the Apollo 50 event at Goonhilly; and local writer, content creator and mermaid, Suzie Inman.

Trevor Osborne said: “Porthleven’s vibrant community and its thriving economy is much envied in Cornwall and well beyond. It is underpinned by excellent hospitality and culinary offerings and alongside these, but perhaps less visible, there has long been a very strong artistic contribution. Now we have an opportunity to shine a light on the local artistic community and encourage Porthleven to become a regional arts hub. I commend the Porthleven Arts Community’s philosophy and its plans and know that it will inspire and encourage Porthleveners with an interest in the arts in the widest possible sense. This is a tremendous opportunity which will have tangible benefits but also prove to be life-enhancing and allow us to have fun along the way”.

Hannabeth Johnson added: “We want to hear from anyone and everyone in the community who is an artist, dreams of being one or has a creative idea we might be able to help develop. We want to be a focal point and a catalyst in encouraging art in all its forms and to bring more artistic projects, partners, networks, competitions and funding for the arts in Porthleven.”