For over a century St Ives’ beautiful scenery, unique atmosphere and infamous light has provided inspiration to a large community of artists who have chosen to live and work here. Influential artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Peter Lanyon, Ben Nicholson, Naum Gabo, Alfred Wallis and Bernard Leach firmly cemented St Ives’ position as a nationally and internationally significant colony of art and artists who lived amongst each other in its quaint cottages as they grappled with the many dramatic art movements of the 19th and 20th centuries.