How did Morgans come about and what are your inspirations?

Morgans is a family venture which opened its doors in 2021 following an 18 month renovation, in the vibrant town of Falmouth, Cornwall. The five-storey townhouse, overlooking the harbour, is also home to six creative studios, so the space has become a real hub for all things art and community.

Founded by Ann Morgan and Tony Holmes, alongside daughters Martha, Ella and Clara, Morgans is a culmination of our individual careers and experiences in art and design.

With a background in architecture, the renovation and design of the building was organised by Tony alongside a team of local craftsmen. The character of the gallery has been led by discoveries during the renovation programme, revealing original features of fireplaces and paint finishes which have helped form the identity of Morgans. The gallery now sits over two floors, centred around a light filled atrium dotted with olive trees. The three storeys above house a mix of painters, ceramicists and designers.

We feel most inspired by our surroundings, it’s hard not to in Cornwall where daily life is so intertwined with the landscape and seasons. Our aspiration is to promote artists with connections to Cornwall – established and emerging artists, including recent Falmouth art school graduates.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up this season?

The year seems to be flying by, and after a busy summer we’re embracing the change in seasons, and a shift in the ambience of the gallery. We have two new exhibitions before the New Year, and whilst the shows centre around recent work by artists we represent, we are also welcoming two new artists, Jack Davis and Lynsey MacKenzie, which is incredibly exciting.

We are planning our Christmas exhibition, which is always a really lovely show – primarily including smaller paintings and ceramics which make for perfect festive gifting. We will also be launching our paper works collection which will sit alongside our winter exhibition with a donation to charity from each sale.

In recent years we have grown our Art Buying service, in which we help both interior designers with selecting artwork for clients, and customers with finding the perfect painting for their home. We have a few large projects coming to fruition this autumn, and we’re looking forward to delivering works and seeing them in their new homes.

What do you love most about Falcon in and around Morgans?

Our love of Falcon has naturally flowed into how we curate the table scapes at Morgans.

It’s the simple but so well-considered design that we love, with clean silhouettes and bold colours. We often pair the Falcon pieces with the colour palettes of new painting collections as well as filling jugs with fresh foliage and locally grown flowers. Customers are always complementary to the stunning pops of colour that Falcon brings to the gallery.

This autumn we will be introducing new serve ware including flat dishes, cake stands and fruit bowls as well as new colour ways in the classic jugs and tumblers which are a staple in the gallery.

How important is community to Morgans?

Community is at the heart of Morgans. Which may sound like a casual platitude, but it really is the driving force behind the gallery. We champion local Cornish artists, and seek out emerging talent. We have given a platform to fine art graduates, for many of whom Morgans is the first gallery to represent them.

We have around six to seven exhibitions per year, and for each one we host a Private View for the artists, their friends and family, and customers who have become friends over the years. It’s a brilliant way to celebrate the artists, and a great opportunity for them to meet each other and chat about all things creative.

We are incredibly passionate about Cornwall’s art scene achieving the recognition it deserves on a wider scale, and in 2022 co-founded the FORM Art Festival which has since happened yearly. The three-day weekend takes over Falmouth, and includes an art fair, creative workshops, art films and more. The festival is a not-for-profit, and contributes a huge amount to the arts economy in Cornwall. We’re very proud of it, and seeing how the creative community comes together each year is incredibly special.

What do you love most about Falmouth in the Autumn?

After the summertime tourists retreat, Falmouth feels calmer in the autumn, but as a thriving university town Falmouth offers so many treats in terms of independent shops, restaurants, and creative initiatives.

We all live nearby, and walking to work on a crisp autumn morning is an everyday luxury. Not so much in the rain, but even in the harsh weather Falmouth and Cornwall feel dynamic, exposed to the elements.

Our terrier needs a morning walk, so one of us often strolls to the nearby beach early doors. It’s lovely to see how the landscape here changes and how the familiar faces brave all weathers for some fresh air.

Morgans itself becomes a cosy haven in autumn, we light the scented candles and welcome customers into a warm and inviting space.

Are there any local companies you'd like to shout about?

We are spoiled for choice here in Cornwall, there are so many local companies to celebrate!

We particularly resonate with companies that have a similar ethos to us, often small and family-run. They tend to be driven by innovators and creatives who have a real passion for their work, whether that’s by championing sustainable practices or celebrating local produce, there’s a whole host of businesses to choose from.

Argoe is a harbour-side fish restaurant in Newlyn, nestled in a working port, and serving up local seafood caught by the fisherman who live nearby. We highly recommend it for a special occasion, and it’s a unique experience. Luxury combined with industry!

We also love Tregrew Food Barn, you might have realised that we’re foodies... A weekly Saturday food market is held on a farm near Mylor, and it’s full of freshly baked bread, locally caught fish, plenty of local farm-grown veggies and more. With coffee trucks and often a few sweet treat stalls, it’s a brilliant spot for the community to gather and support local businesses.

Other foodie places we love include Mine in Falmouth, 45 Queens Street in Penzance, Lovetts for a great coffee in Newlyn and Ferry Boat for a pub lunch along the Helford. Our favourite place to stay would have to be Chapel House in Penzance and Falmouth is blessed with lots of great independent shops including Ash, Cloudberry Living, Inspire Makers, Ludgate Antiques and Willow and Stone. Finally coffee house and pastries in Falmouth head to Beacon Coffee, Forty Five Coffee and Stones Bakery.

Credit to the photographer Jenna Foxton