About us
The Customs House Gallery in Porthleven has become a focal point for visiting connoisseurs of Cornish art. Situated on the same side of the harbour as the Porthleven clocktower, famous for the TV coverage during winter storms, the gallery occupies a building in the courtyard of the Old Customs House Studio, originally used as a net loft by local fishermen for repairing their nets.
The Customs House Gallery specialises in exhibitions of contemporary Cornish art, changing fortnightly from April until late October. For its exhibitions the gallery chooses excellent Cornish artists who exhibit a variety of styles and media to show to the best advantage the Cornish landscape and sea in either traditional settings or colourful semi-abstract and abstract paintings. Some comments from the gallery's visitor book: "A beautiful space filled with beautiful artworks. This is a lovely place to be." Andy Bales, Kent. "Beautiful work in a very tasteful space!" Jeff Symon, Devonport, N.Y., USA.
Every year, to celebrate the Customs House Gallery's anniversary, it holds an annual "Boxing Day Exhibition" showing paintings from all the artists who have participated in exhibitions during the past season. This event runs from December 26 until the end of the first week of January and is presented on the gallery's website www.cornwall-art.co.uk as are all other exhibitions. The Customs House Gallery is run by David & Heather Howe, who will always give you a warm and friendly welcome. "There are many, many reasons for returning to Porthleven, year in year out - your wonderful exhibitions are surely one of the main ones." Mike and Alice Baker, Cologne, Germany.