Artist in Residence
Claire Lucas
August to October 2025
Claire Lucas was our artist-in-residence, between August and October 2025, working on her project entitled “In My Element”.
Claire discovered the library about eight years ago, delighted to find, in her own words, “a rich hive of creativity; totally inclusive and not at all stuffy!!”. She started running botanical art classes here, and earlier this year, approached the library about a residency.
She became fascinated with the idea of “coming home to oneself” – the “layers of history (and herstory!) that were (and are) evident in the library; the generations of writers and deep-thinkers who have sat at the tables, creating such a fertile and welcoming space for the creative process.” Claire had recently started to draw and paint portraits, especially of people who are “in their element”, and wanted to take the 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.
Her residency culminated formally in the week of 14th-18th October, when Claire exhibited her work in the Elizabeth Treffry Room, and delivered a talk about her time with us.
Over the previous months, Claire captured small pencil portraits of members, volunteers and staff, and captured their thoughts about the library, which went on display.
Claire has vowed to continue to capture the people and words of those in the library community, and will create a collaborative piece of integrated art and writing which celebrates her theme of ‘in my element’ in the library community, a copy of which will be made to house in our permanent archive collection.
We are grateful to Claire for the enthusiasm and energy she brought to her residency, and for the evident love for the library that she holds. We look forward to continuing our collaboration!
On the 18th October, Claire delivered a talk about her residency, and the process of using creativity to find your way home to yourself, and how place, space, surroundings and shared experiences can be the ‘element’ in which this process comes alive. You can watch a film of Claire’s talk here.
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.
When did you first discover The Morrab Library?
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!