The Arts Society Falmouth

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The Arts Society Falmouth

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Arts Society Falmouth, Visual Arts, Princess Pavilion, 41 Melville Road, Falmouth.

Our society will be of interest to anyone who loves or wants to discover more about 'The Arts' - paintings, pottery, silverware, sculpture and a myriad other subjects which come under this broad heading.

03/09/2026

REGENCY SPLENOUR ON THE SOUTH COAST
In his lecture THE ROYAL PAVILION BRIGHTON Patrick Conner questions how such an extraordinary and outlandish creation could have been built in England?
The answers lie partly in the 18th-century fashion for Chinoiserie, partly in the travels of British artists to India and China, and partly in the extravert personality of the Prince Regent - later King George IV.
As a royal residence the Pavilion enjoyed musical evenings, lavish banquets and high-tech kitchens. In 1850 it faced destruction but was rescued by the townspeople of Brighton; in 1914-16 it was used as an Indian military hospital; in 1975 it survived an arson attack. Since then it has been restored to the magnificently exotic palace that we see today.
The lecture will commence at 10.30 am at the Princess Pavilion 41 Melville Road Falmouth; arrival time from 09.45 am please. New members and guests are very welcome. For more information see www.theartssocietyfalmouth.org

29/07/2026

Visit to Bletchley Park and Blenheim Palace, 23/25th October – last chance to book?
There are still several places available (including twin double bedrooms) for the weekend away. It promises to be a fascinating trip, with plenty to interest Society members at both locations. To make sure of your reservation, call Phil Boddy on 07791772609 or email him at [email protected]

23/07/2026

The Arts Society Falmouth collaborates with the Falmouth Art Gallery
Falmouth Art Gallery, in partnership with the Stroke Association, established ‘Discover Art Falmouth’ as a monthly creative workshop. Initially the group was about providing stroke survivors and supporters with the opportunity to express themselves creatively. This was then expanded to others in the community with physical and medical challenges who needed social contact and the ability to express themselves using works of art as a stimulus in a safe and non-threatening environment. The group now meets monthly in the gallery as an independent artist-led group for adults living with long term illness and disability and their carers.

In May 2026, working alongside Falmouth Art Gallery, our Society provided the funds to allow members of Discover Art Falmouth and their carers to visit Penlee House Gallery in Penzance. The funding covered the cost of hiring an adapted minibus from Falmouth to the Gallery, a guided tour of the current exhibition and tea and cake in the Penlee Orangerie Café.

Feedback from members of the group about the visit to Penlee was extremely positive. Given the success and community benefit, our Society has agreed to support a similar visit to Truro Museum & Art Gallery at a later date.

10/07/2026

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T - THE ART OF VISUAL DECEPTION
With a reputation as a born entertainer, it’s no surprise that Bertie Pearce had Princess Pavilion rocking with laughter during his introduction to NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T - THE ART OF VISUAL DECEPTION. And as he is a Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, it’s also no surprise that the entertainment continued while he amazed and delighted his audience with explanations of visual trickery. Beginning and ending with the Belgian surrealist, René Magritte, the lecture encompassed trompe l’eoil, Dali, Banksy, Bridget Riley, Arcimboldo and Escher, to name just a few. But beyond his quick-fire asides and a piece of pure theatre magic, it was obvious that Bertie had complete command of his subject, and his pleasure in sharing the secrets of his knowledge made this a truly outstanding experience for Society members. With examples dating from classical times to the present day, it’s clear there is a universal delight in being deceived – this whistle stop tour of art which amuses as it fools left most of us questioning the evidence of our own eyes….

For more information on forthcoming lectures see www.theartssocietyfalmouth.org New members and guests are very welcome.

26/06/2026

The Arts Society Falmouth is a proud sponsor of the inaugural Matthew Lanyon Poetry Prize, to be awarded on Saturday July 4th at 4:00pm, followed by readings of winning poems and those of runners up.

19/06/2026

Music in Art – and at the Princess Pavilion, in our most recent lecture

Have you heard of the shawm? Or perhaps you’re more familiar with the rauschpfeife, crumhorn, or sackbut? Chances are, these early woodwind instruments are unknown to you – but for Sophie Matthews, they are central to her highly successful career as a music historian, instrument maker and lecturer. On Friday last, in her exhilarating lecture MUSIC IN ART, Sophie introduced Society members to a variety of arcane instruments, and explored their place and symbolic significance in selected works of art from the Middle Ages onwards. As Sophie explained, many of our historical references for musical instruments can be found in paintings, drawings, engravings and prints. These windows into the past show us what the instruments looked like but also the social context in which they would have been played. Her talk was interspersed with lively demonstrations on replicas of the instruments depicted, so it’s no surprise to learn that Sophie is famed for her prowess on the English border bagpipes, plays a variety of early woodwind instruments, and is one of the few British players of the baroque musette, an 18th century French bagpipe. For more information on forthcoming lectures see www.theartssocietyfalmouth.org New members and guests are very welcome.

11/06/2026

Please join fellow Arts Society members at Falmouth University, Woodlane Campus, on the weekend of 3-4 July, for the Festival of Matthew Lanyon. The winners of the inaugural Matthew Lanyon Poetry Prize, with funding for the Poetry Prizes donated by The Arts Society Falmouth and West Cornwall Arts Society, will be announced on Saturday. You will be able to enjoy readings of at least six poems, and The Prize has attracted over 600 poems. The judges are Luke Thompson of Guillemot Press, Zelda Cahill-Patten, a young poet who is also leading our poetry workshop on Friday, and Judith Lanyon.
The whole event is curated by the Matthew Lanyon Archive, hosted and supported by Falmouth University, and sponsored by Zennor Asset Management, Matthew Lanyon Estate, Basil and Anne Wolf. We are very grateful to sponsors and all those who are working hard to create the event.
YOU NEED TO BOOK now on eventbrite through the website for film screenings, and the free events - see full programme – some are already almost full. www.matthewlanyon.org
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06/06/2026

Mother Mary (15) at The Poly – an enthralling film and a discount for The Arts Society Falmouth members.

Long-buried wounds rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer Sam Anselm on the eve of her comeback performance.

The Arts Society Falmouth members enjoy a discount – use code Anne Hathaway to reduce the ticket price to £3 (£4.50 including booking fees).

The Poly
Saturday 6th June, 7.45pm

19/05/2026

Invigilators needed for 'Mirrors' exhibition – can you help?

16 May 2026-26 September 2026
10:00-17:00

Falmouth Art Gallery, Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth, TR11 2RT

Appearances can be deceiving, but they can also be a powerful and authentic expression of our true selves. We all construct our own identities but often there is a push and pull as we navigate our inner truths and the expectations of the outside world.

This exhibition explores how artists use self-expression to question roles, challenge norms and reveal the shifting nature of the self. Featuring Sarah Ball, Claude Cahun, Ithell Colquhoun, Gluck, Naomi Frears, Maggi Hambling, Diane Ibbotson, Kirsty Latoya, Marco Livingstone, Ken Nwadiogbu, Grayson Perry, SHARP, Cindy Sherman, Henry Scott Tuke and others.

The Arts Society Falmouth is proud to support Falmouth Art Gallery. Invigilators are needed to sit in the gallery space for 1 ½ to 2 hours at a time on a Saturday and potentially other times during the week.

Can you help? Please contact [email protected]

Image: Gluck by Gluck, oil on canvas, 1942
© National Portrait Gallery, London

10/05/2026

WE'LL BE AT THE FORM ART FESTIVAL – come and say hello!

FORM Art Festival returns to Princess Pavilion this coming weekend and The Arts Society Falmouth will be there to greet friends old and new.

Showcasing Cornish art, sculpture, and design, this free-entry, 3-day event features over 75 artists and makers, live music, and creative workshops, highlighting Cornwall's creative culture.

Address

Princess Pavilion, 41 Melville Road
Falmouth
TR114AR

Website

http://www.theartssocietyfalmouth.org/

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