The Tate Gallery in St Ives is a sibling to the other Tate Galleries; Tate Britain, Tate Modern, and Tate Liverpool.
It was opened in 1993, and is in a beautiful building that sports (among other things) a magnificent stained glass window by acclaimed painter Patrick Heron.
The museum is dedicated to the modern art of St Ives, where a distinctive school of art sprung up there in the 1920's, and it's for those works that St Ives is internationally known.
The displays change regularly, so that a wide array of works form the Tate collection can be shown every year. There are, however also temporary exhibits that revolve around a particular artist or a theme.
It's a delight to walk around this wonderful gallery, taking in the local artwork and then settling down with a cup of tea in the excellent café. And it's quite easy to bring your baby as well; the museum offers a baby care room that you can take advantage of and everything is wheelchair and babycarriage accessible.
Before you abandon the gallery, be sure to make a stop in the gift shop. They offer a selection of products that feature the works of local artist and make for great presents for friends and loved ones, or just a nice addition to your own kitchen.
Also worth a visit is the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, which is now a part of the Tate St Ives, but originally opened in 1976. It's situated a mere 10 minutes from the Tate Gallery and is home to fantastic sculptures that are still where they were originally placed by the artist.
Tate St Ives address and hours
Tate St Ives
Porthmeor Beach
St Ives
Cornwall
TR26 1TG
Phone: +44 (0)1736 796226
Open March – October
Daily 10.00–17.20, last admission 17.00
Open November – February
Tuesday – Sunday 10.00–16.20, last admission 16.00
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
Photo by humblenick on flickr
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