A major expansion of the Newlyn Art Gallery, The Exchange is a conversion of the ground floor of…read morethe old Telephone Exchange in the heart of Penzance. Incorporating exhibition areas, work and interactive spaces, a cafe and shop, The Exchange is a magnetic visit attraction, with free entry and if you need any further incentive, excellent toilet facilities handy to the centre of town (where desperately lacking otherwise). At the moment you can view Tatsomi Orimoto's work - basically a photo collage of his Alzheimic mother - not sure you won't merely conclude it's a pretty shameful exploitation exercise - but art is for interpretation and personal appreciation - leave that judgement to you. The cafe is very pleasant, open and spacious with a friendly service - the coffee is excellent and the carrot cake a moist deliciousness. Prices are reasonable and there is a nice selection of snacks and even more substantial menu items. Highly recommended.

From the owner: Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange presents an international programme of inspiring exhibitions…read moreacross two venues, alongside projects by younger emerging artists, and creative family workshops, talks and events for all.

Fantastically rich history : this place was designed & built in 1853 by Cornish…read more architect,Sivanus Travail in the English Gothic style.Bernard Leach the potter taught here,as did Ben Nicholson & Barbara Hepworth & was the Centre for British art for many pre war years. Latterly most famous for Terry Frost's work. It is beautifully stituated near the Penlee Art Gallery & gardens, just doors way, & minutes from the sea.

Penlee House Art Gallery & Museum will introduce the visitor to painters from the Newlyn School of…read moreArt (an art colony that existed in Newlyn, a fishing village adjacent to Penzance, from the 1880s until the early years of the twentieth century. It was similar to groups like the Barbizon School in France, and the "en plein eir" movement in Calfornia). With this close a focus, you won't be surprised that the collection isn't huge, but it does include major works by regional painters like Stanhope Forbes. The admission price is UKP 5 (single adult), which seems reasonable. The concession price is UKP 4. The permanent Newlyn School display covers the second floor, where you will also find some small rooms with archaeological artefacts and objects from Penzance/Newlyn's social history, as well as photographic exhibits. When I visited, there was a temporary exhibition on over 70 works by SJ "Lamorna" Birch (1869-1955, see photos), a self-taught but talented (mostly) landscape painter who also mentored other local artists. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take photos of the paintings (no such restrictions apply to the artefacts), but I did manage to "steal" a few shots to give you an impression of the kind of paintings that you can expect to see. Of course, various books on the Newlyn School (and others) are available from the smallish gallery shop. Staff were very friendly (and ever so politely told me to stop taking photos, which I did). Another highlight is the adjacent, atmospheric garden area, which is very inviting. Penlee House is one of the prettiest of the many small, regional museums in England that I've visited over the course of the past ten years, and also very family-friendly. But it will not occupy you for more than one hour, 1.5h max.

The home of the Newlyn School of Art, a famous 19th and 20th century art colony based in the nearby…read moreport of Newlyn. Some quite extraordinary and beautiful paintings are on display which are regularly updated and changed. There is also an interesting local history display.