Artist in Residence
Claire Lucas
Mid-August to 18th October 2025
Local artist Claire Lucas will be familiar to many at The Morrab Library as she has run a variety of popular art classes in Gods Room for many years. This August, we’re delighted that she will begin an Artist’s Residency at the Library, titled “In My Element”. This project will be a celebration – in portraiture and poetry – of finding our way back home to ourselves through books, memories, community and creative pursuits.
From mid-August and throughout the Autumn, Claire will be visiting the library with her sketchbook and journal, collecting stories and images from library users, staff and volunteers; exploring how the library acts as vessel and safe haven to many who are seeking to deepen their connection to heart and soul and their creative self.
If you would like to be a part of this project Claire would love to hear from you. Please contact her via her at clairelucasartist@yahoo.com or call her on 07532174802
From 14th-18th October, Claire will display her work in the Elizabeth Treffry Room and will give an accompanying talk in the Reading Room at the end of this exhibition week. Please keep an eye on the Events page on our website for updated info about the exhibition and talk.
Claire Lucas is an artist, art tutor and life coach, living at Raftra (next door to where William Bottrell was born and brought up!), St Levan. She first came to Cornwall as a student at Falmouth School of Art, and has moved progressively closer to Lands End every decade or two. Known mostly for her popular art classes, women’s groups and stunning oil paintings, she is also a closet poet and writer of short stories.
Claire has worked in the Arts for Health arena for over thirty years and has a deep commitment to creating safe space for people to improve their mental health and wellbeing through creative activities.
Although I have lived in Penwith for over 35 years, I only discovered the library about 8 years ago. I had been taking photo’s of the plants in Morrab Gardens for a botanical art project, and saw this gorgeous Georgian building through the trees and went to explore. I had heard about the library from a friend about 25 years ago, when he used it as a place to write a thesis but I had thought it was just for writers and academics – it sounded a bit intimidating! But on this particular day I ventured in, was welcomed very warmly by Lisa, and was so delighted to find such a rich hive of creativity; totally inclusive and not at all stuffy!
Coincidentally I had been looking for a venue from which to run botanical art classes in Penzance, and having discovered the library, I felt it would be the perfect setting. Since then I’ve run a variety of art classes in God’s room for people who want to discover or develop a better relationship with their inner artist; a process that is significantly enriched by the library environment.
Why did you want to be writer/artist in residence?
I have become fascinated recently with the idea of “coming home to oneself”. I think the layers of history (and herstory!) that are evident in the library; the generations of writers and deep-thinkers who have sat at these tables, create such a fertile and welcoming space for the creative process. I have recently started to draw and paint portraits, especially of people who are “in their element”, be they musicians playing, sea swimmers floating in turquoise pools or children eating ice cream! I wanted to use this opportunity to spend some time getting to know the vibrant community that uses the library, and finding ways to celebrate them in portraits and poems.
I’m hoping that a by-product of this residency will be that members, staff and volunteers will have an opportunity to reflect on what their “element” is; to recognise in what areas they shine, and through these revelations we will also have a visual and written record of just how important the library is to those who come home to themselves within its walls!
