Newquay footballer Katie Robinson celebrated in new exhibition

Newquay's Katie Robinson is among a diverse group of women being honoured in a new permanent exhibition at Art Centre Penryn.

The England international footballer features in ‘50 Women of Cornwall’ which showcases an inspiring range of individuals whose achievements, activism, and contributions are being recognised through a collection of ceramic plates.

The project follows a callout in 2024, which received hundreds of nominations featuring real and fictional women, past and present, all with meaningful connections to Cornwall. From sport and the arts to science, mental health, agriculture, and beyond, the final 50 represent a powerful cross-section of women whose stories reflect the breadth and depth of life in the Duchy.

Katie appears alongside familiar names such as Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover, artist Barbara Hepworth, and author Daphne du Maurier. The exhibition also highlights lesser-known figures, including Madame Hawke, a Newquay widow who built a thriving knitting business in the early 1900s, and Mary Kelynack, a fish hawker who famously walked from Newlyn to London at the age of 75 to visit the Great Exhibition in 1851, ultimately meeting Queen Victoria.

Also celebrated are figures making an impact in Cornwall today, such as para surfing world champion Charlotte Banfield from Falmouth, Dina Holder from The Women’s Centre Cornwall, and Maren and Kris Hallenga, founders of the breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! Kris was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at just 23, sparking a campaign that has helped thousands of young people.

Art Centre Penryn, Cornwall’s new creative space, hopes the exhibition will inspire visitors with its blend of well-known names and unsung heroes. Each of the 50 women is represented on a hand-crafted ceramic plate created by artist Katie Bunnell, forming a permanent art collection funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The women were selected from a shortlist of 234 public nominations and were previously showcased in exhibitions at both Art Centre Penryn and Kresen Kernow.

Comedian and writer Dawn French, who also features in the collection, said she was “chuffed as a chough to be included alongside such tip top women.” Full details and stories of the featured women can be found here.