Exhibitions

Current Exhibitions: John Ley Pethybridge (1865-1905) plus other museum displays

Normal opening hours: 11.00 am. to 4.30 pm. (If you are travelling some distance please telephone first to confirm opening hours)

An exhibition of the work of Stratton artist John Ley Pethybridge, who was born in Launceston in 1865. He started painting in his home town before moving to Stratton in the 1890's. Almost a century later, in 1995, Philip Jackson came across the artist's grave in St Andrew's churchyard and decided to reasearch him for the Stratton History Archive. Initially he found the artist seemed to have been forgotten, and, worse still, his paintings were almost impossible to find. However, Philip did find enough to arrange an exhibition of the artist's work at Stratside in 2005, to mark the Centenary of the artist's death.

Now, after unravelling the amazing story surrounding the artist's life, Philip is organising a second exhibition, where he will introduce his new E book "The Life and Work of John Ley Pethybridge" (Price £12.99 plus £2.50 postage and packing mainland UK).

Among the examples of Ley Pethybridge's watercolours, prints and illustrated books, this exhibition will include two newly discovered oil paintings by the artist.

Pethybridge was married at Okehampton in 1901 and spent much of his married life in Stratton. During the time that he was based at Stratton Pethybridge entered probably the finest and most prolific period of his career. His main source of income was as a book illustrator and local scenery fron Stratton, Kilhampton, Stowe, Bude and Coombe Valley featured in many of his works.

A guided visit with a talk on the artist's life and work can be arranged for local history societies. Please telephone 01288 356341 or email philip.jackson@stratside.com for more information.

Philip Jackson has painted professionally since 1980. Exhibitions of his work have been held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London and the Washington County Museum of Fine Art in the United States. A selection of Philip's work is on display in Gallery 1.

Details email : philip.jackson@stratside.com

Past Exhibitions:

Hawker of Morwenstow: An exhibition was held featuring books, manuscripts, photographs and letters from the life of Hawker of Morwenstow (1803 to 1875). Robert Stephen Hawker was born on 3 December 1803 in Plymouth and spent much of his boyhood in Stratton. He later became Vicar of Morwenstow in North Cornwall, serving the parish for over forty years.

When the Caledonia which was shipwrecked off Sharpnose point in Cornwall in 1843 Hawker recovered and buried all but one of the crew. The exhibition was held to help raise funds for the restoration of the Caledonia figure head, which is a fine example of 19th Century ship carving. Approximately £1000 was raised towards the restoration fund.

For more information about these or future exhibitions please telephone 01288 356341 or email philip.jackson@stratside.com