The Spirit of Transformation

Words by Jamie Crocker

Experience contemporary Cornish work in a warm, welcoming and thoughtfully curated gallery space.

Set back in one of Cornwall’s most historic market towns, The Summerhouse Gallery benefits from its proximity to St Michael’s Mount, which draws visitors from across the globe and all walks of life. The gallery has found passionate champions in Lord and Lady St Leven, longstanding supporters of contemporary art whose collection graces both their home and the gallery and museum on the Mount itself.

Marazion’s distinctive landscape, rich wildlife and sweeping sandy bay continue to attract creative talent, establishing the town as a key destination for those interested in Cornish art. This remarkable setting creates consistent demand for paintings that capture the unique character of Marazion and St Michael’s Mount. In response, the gallery curates contemporary impressionist works that convey atmosphere and emotion rather than offering mere photographic representations of the view.

Founded in 2011 by Jayne Elliott, The Summerhouse Gallery emerged from the former Praed Gallery, once owned by the prolific artist Michael Praed. Elliott sought to retain the artistic heritage while building something that felt open, bright and joyful. The name itself, Summerhouse, was chosen to reflect this spirit: a light-filled haven where art was not confined by exclusivity but celebrated for its ability to elevate daily life.

In 2023, the gallery entered its next chapter under the stewardship of Rhiannon Cottam. Having worked closely with Elliott for several years, Rhiannon brought with her a profound love for Cornwall, contemporary art, and the act of curation as storytelling. Her vision was clear: to build a gallery that serves not just as a place to view art, but as a vibrant hub where artists and visitors can gather, talk and recharge. It’s a place where people feel welcome and relaxed, where even a brief visit offers a pause in the daily rush.

Rhiannon, pictured during ‘Alchemy’, a show featuring Sophie Capron and Jake Boex

At the heart of the gallery’s evolving success is the careful selection of artists. While over 30 are represented at any time, new additions are rare and intentional. What matters most is not medium or style, but energy – the intangible sense that a work belongs. The Summerhouse Gallery doesn’t aim to please every possible taste. Instead, it curates from the heart. Each piece in the gallery is there because the team believes in it, because it sparks something personal.

This emotional curatorial approach gives The Summerhouse Gallery its distinctive voice. Visitors won’t find a rigid theme or a didactic structure. Instead, they encounter works that speak softly but insistently: a conversation of colours, textures and emotional tones. Representational and abstract paintings hang side by side, united by a sense of place and passion.

That connection to Cornwall’s artistic heritage is neither heavy-handed nor nostalgic. The Summerhouse Gallery represents celebrated names – John Piper, Michael Praed and Michael Strang among them – whose works anchor the gallery in a strong lineage. But it also champions the new wave: artists like Iona Sanders, Imogen Bone, Maggie O’Brien and Kit Johns, many of whom teach at respected institutions such as Newlyn School of Art and the St Ives School of Painting. Their presence ensures the space remains dynamic and forward-facing.

The exhibition calendar at The Summerhouse Gallery is equally ambitious. Around seven shows are curated annually, accompanied by events designed to welcome both locals and visitors. From artist Q&As and charity auctions to hands-on workshops, these moments offer more than just visual stimulation – they build community. Some workshops now focus specifically on art for wellbeing, helping people to explore their emotional responses to works in a small group setting, which inspires them to create their own.

One notable collaboration this year sees students from Marazion School invited to view Kit Johns’ solo exhibition, with the experience feeding directly into their classroom work. It’s just one example of how the gallery connects art with education and experience, always looking to extend the reach of its influence beyond the white walls.

The work itself speaks volumes. Cornwall’s light, weather, and terrain manifest in countless subtle ways: in John Piper’s granite cottages layered thick with oil and memory, or in the dynamic forms and lines of artists interpreting seascapes through contemporary palettes. It’s not about literal representation but evocation. Viewers often find themselves unexpectedly drawn to a piece, an emotional resonance rather than a rational choice. “The work chooses the buyer,” as Rhiannon observes.

The gallery has also noticed a quiet shift in its audience. Online sales are increasing. More buyers are under 40, many drawn by the accessibility offered through Own Art, a 0% finance scheme backed by Arts Council England. This younger demographic brings fresh energy to the gallery, proving that original art can be within reach and deeply valued across generations.

Balancing the traditional with the contemporary remains a curatorial dance. Often, it’s the interaction between different styles – an abstract piece hung beside a still life, linked by colour or emotional tone – that gives a show its shape. Rhiannon admits that her original plans often change once the works are in the space. But that’s part of the thrill: watching how energy flows between pieces, how a room transforms in response.

Whether someone stays for five minutes or an afternoon, the aim is the same: that they leave a little lighter, a little more inspired, perhaps carrying with them not just a piece of art, but a renewed way of seeing.

summerhousegallery.co.uk