Su Carroll reveals an exciting exhibition in St Ives which builds on a relationship between London and Cornwall

THE House of Fairy Tales is the delightful and intriguing title of a new exhibition at the Millennium in St Ives, which has a history as delightful as its content.

The House of Fairy Tales was founded in 2007 when artist Gavin Turk and writer Deborah Curtis were invited, by the late Jago Eliot, to create a child- centred space at the Port Eliot Literary Festival at St Germans in Cornwall.

It was such a success that a fully fledged creative company returned to the festival (now without the "literary" in its title) last year.

The artists now aim to build on this relationship between London and Cornwall with a series of art, live music, performance and poetry events throughout the year, involving the ICA, Port Eliot, Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornish museums and educational organisations.

Where better than the magical land of giants, monsters and mermaids for a feast of fables, folklore and storytelling?

As part of the initiative The House of Fairy Tales presents an exhibition at Millennium of over 100 artworks exploring folklore, mythology and metamorphoses with emerging, established and internationally acclaimed artists.

The selection of work embraces excellence, innovation, elegance, charm, humour and a curiosity for the dark and sometimes disturbing.

It is also the start of a season of collaborations between London and Cornwall based artists including many Millennium artists.

The House of Fairy Tales will link live tonight to Kernow in the City, a celebration of Cornish music, art and poetry in London to mark St Piran's Day today.

The opening night of the exhibition tomorrow at Millennium will feature a live performance from Cornwall-based American artist and musician William Fontaine and transformative photographic portraits from London-based Italian artist Maria Teresa Gavazzi. The St Ives exhibition will include one room dedicated to The House of Fairy Tales limited edition Print Portfolio, which includes works by Sir Peter Blake, Fiona Banner and Rachel Whiteread.

There will also be a House of Fairy Tales "cabinet of memorabilia" containing information, photographs and artefacts from previous events, including delightful The House of Fairy Tales medals and passports.

This year The House of Fairy Tales travelling art circus has been invited back to Glastonbury, Latitude and Port Eliot and will be appearing for the first time at Camp Bestival, Underage Festival, Thames Festival, Shoreditch 1234 Festival, Wentworth Castle, Newlyn Art Gallery and Salisbury Arts Centre.

The ending of the exhibition at the Millennium gallery coincides with the beginning of British Summer Time and there will be poetry, performance, live music and an outdoor parade of paper and willow lanterns.

The House of Fairy Tales is looking for volunteers for events during the summer, particularly artists, performers, musicians, knitters, makers, sayers, soothsayers and doers.

If you want to take part, visit the website at www.houseoffairytales.org. The House of Fairy Tales is at the Millennium Gallery, street-an-Pol seven days a week until March 28. Visit www.millenniumgallery.co.uk or call 01736 793121.