Truro School Art Collection goes on an outing
How do you get your students interested in art? How do you show them all that the artistic world has to offer? And the amazing variety of pieces Cornwall has to offer? David Heseltine’s answer was to begin an impressive collection of work, featuring internationally renowned artists.
David Heseltine was formerly the Head of Art at Truro School. He began building the Truro School Art Collection in the early 1980s after realising that, as an independent school, Truro School was unable to borrow works from Cornwall Council Schools Art Collection. His hope was that students would be able to learn more about art by looking at the real thing.
Today, the Collection encompasses nearly 300 artworks representing a veritable A-Z of late 20th and early 21st century artists, the majority of whom lived and worked in Cornwall. Some, such as Jeremy Le Grice and Peter Lanyon, even had international influence in the art world. The collection also features works from a diversity of artists including Patrick Heron, Terry Frost, Kate Nicholson and Margot Maeckelburghe.
Housel Bay and The Lizard by Andrew Tozer
Now, the Collection is rarely seen outside of the school. In fact, this is only the second time that the it has featured in an exhibition at Royal Cornwall Museum in forty years. The exhibition of work at the museum will draw from Heseltine’s unique personal archive and stories he gathered when visiting the many artists who gifted to the Collection or from whom he purchased.
Annie-May Roberts, Teacher of Art at Truro School:
“The Truro School Art Collection is a true asset to the institution, and it continues to be a brilliant educational resource for students at the School, as well as a source of intrigue and inspiration for artists and art enthusiasts across the Cornish and wider community.
David Heseltine, former Head of Art, had the insight to begin the Collection in the 1980s and we’re delighted that the works will be available to view in the Royal Cornwall Museum for all to see.”
Bryony Robins, Artistic Director of the Royal Cornwall Museum:
“This collection is all about artwork that teaches us something. Whether or not we’re students, there’s always something to learn from art, and with pieces from across Cornwall on display, we look forward to seeing people engage with iconic and lesser-known artists.”
A selection from Truro School Art Collection will be on show from Tuesday 30 January – Saturday 18 May. Entry to the exhibition is included in standard entry price, which also includes an annual pass. Standard entry is £7.50, under 18s go free. Learn more about Truro School Art Collection.