The Tate St Ives art gallery in Cornwall is providing the public an early preview of its plans to refurbish the historic Palais de Danse building – the former studio of British sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
On April 26th and 27th, 2024, Tate St Ives will host special drop-in sessions where local residents can tour the dance hall of the Palais de Danse. Visitors will get a first look at the initial renovation designs from Adam Khan Architects and can share their own memories and photographs of the building from the 1940s through the 1960s.
The Storied History of the Palais de Danse
Originally constructed on the former site of a naval school in the heart of St Ives, Cornwall, the Palais de Danse first opened in the 1930s as a cinema and dance hall. It became an important community gathering space during World War II.
In 1961, renowned sculptor Barbara Hepworth purchased the building to use as her second studio in St Ives, allowing her to create larger sculptural masterpieces like the commissioned work Single Form for the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
After Hepworth’s death in 1975, the Palais de Danse remained virtually untouched until 2015 when the Hepworth Estate gifted it to Tate St Ives. Two years ago in 2022, the building received Grade II listed status from Historic England.
During the public preview days, the Tate St Ives team will provide guided tours of the neighbouring Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
