Trewarveneth Studios was built in 1901 to serve as the infant school for Newlyn, and consists of the main school building and a range of outbuildings. After the school closed in 1961, it was bought by the artist John Wells who had previously acquired the neighbouring Anchor Studio from the widow of Stanhope Forbes in 1947.
John Wells used the school as his studio, sharing the building with his good friend the sculptor Denis Mitchell. Following the death of John Wells in 2000, Trewarveneth was bequeathed to the Trust.
Main Building Renovation 2007
The main school building is constructed of dressed granite walls with a slate roof and mostly timber floors. When it came into the Trust’s possession in 2002, the building was in a very poor condition, with the roof leaking badly and water had caused extensive internal damage.
The Trust replaced the roof to prevent further damage, and raised the funds to carry out a renovation of the main building to create six studios, which was completed in 2007. This project was carried out by Paul Mitchell Builders, and supported by Arts Council England, Rural Renaissance, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and private donations, and is described here.
Outbuildings Renovation 2024
The site also includes an L-shaped range of semi-derelict outbuildings which were formerly the school latrine, coal store and playground shed, but these were not included in the 2007 renovation.
The project to repair and renovate these buildings to create three new studios and an accessible toilet is being carried out in 2024 by South West Building & Maintenance Ltd, and is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is described here.
