Biography
The Passmore Edwards Art Gallery was first established in 1895 to promote the work of Cornish artists, especially those of the Newlyn School. Curators included Michael Canney 1956-66 who oversaw a gallery refurbishment, opened up the lower gallery and installed a spiral staircase to it from the main gallery. He also began a low-priced Christmas exhibition with works under £10 and also secured a grant for the Arts Council. The gallery was visited regularly by the Directors of Art of the Arts Council and by the Regional Officers including Alan Bowness and even Mark Rothko visited when in Cornwall. Nowadays, it provides a varied list of events with exhibits including pottery, sculpture, photography and craft, as well as contemporary painting. Since 1974 it has been managed by Newlyn Orion Galleries Ltd, with assistance from South West Arts and Cornwall County Council, and is open to the public throughout the year. It is also the home of the Newlyn Society of Artists. The newly refurbished gallery opened on 7th July 2007, alongside a major new art space The Exchange, in the heart of Penzance.
