Cornwall LivingAutumn 2020
Where creatives come together
Next time you visit the south coast of Cornwall, why not seek out the beautiful harbour of Charlestown?
Close to the market town of St Austell, Charlestown is known for its historic tall ships, as well as being a film location for many TV dramas, including Poldark. Overlooking the main car park is The Old Workshop, a former gun store built in circa 1800, with the later addition of a sail loft. Many original features retain the feel of a bygone age, whilst sympathetic refurbishment has brought it firmly into the modern era.
Cscape Art, the studio and gallery of artist, Sarah Blakey, and her photographer husband, Mick, is central to The Old Workshop. Looking to capture the essence of the local area, Sarah paints images of work and leisure. Her original style depicts scenes from Cornish mines and the china clay industry, as well as life of the harbours of Devon and Cornwall.
Mick’s photographs capture the beauty of Cornwall’s scenery with colour or monochrome and techniques such as slow exposures and panoramic formats. He spends many hours in search of that elusive land or seascape, to which he adds his own artistic style.
Amongst the antique, vintage and retro stock at Sail Loft Emporium you’ll find jewellery, glass, china and silver, as well as collectable toys, books and records. Small pieces of furniture, kitchenalia and other interesting items can also be found. For medals and other militaria, as well as books, check out the cabinets of Kathleen Moorshead. Kerry Partis stocks many unusual collectables, and Denise Howard has a large range of coins and miniature items. Whether you want a walking stick or a vintage camera, you’ll find plenty to choose from here, and at reasonable prices too.
On the site of a historic lime kiln, The Craft Kiln – just inside The Old Workshop’s main gate – showcases Cornish crafts of all kinds. This co-operative style gallery houses the work of many individual and highly talented makers, meaning there’s a great chance of finding unique pieces not available elsewhere. Whether you want tea wallets, felted purses, fused glass or embroidery, you’re sure to find the perfect gift (or a treat to yourself!), with a great display of woodware, pottery and unusual pictures, among a host of other crafts.
The Old Workshop is a wonderful coming together of creatives, and with Christmas just around the corner, it couldn’t be a better time to visit. For more information and this year’s opening hours, be sure to visit the website.
The Old Workshop
01726 66639
