As Newlyn's artists flourished they had brought wealth to the town; in 1894 a new pier was built enabling the fishing industry to became mechanized. Soon the small, colourful dinghies were replaced by ugly industrial boats. With prosperity eroding its ancient charms, Newlyn's artists began looking for new locations. Some went to Falmouth, others to Lamorna Cove or Zennor, but many of them found what they were looking for in a small fishing village down the coast.
St. Ives had many of the qualities that had originally drawn artists to Newlyn; a picturesque harbour, a primitive village, a translucent quality to the light. The decline of the fishing industry brought about by the industrialization of more congenial harbours nearby meant large studios were available in the empty warehouses, boathouses and factories. Cheap accommodation and improved rail links added to its attractions. By the early 20th century such artists as Laura and Harold Knight, Augustus John and Alfred Munnings were settling in St. Ives. When Alfred East moved down from Newlyn, Francis Barry and his bride soon followed.
The newly married couple set up home at 2 The Terrace, Atlantic House. Whether through affection or financial necessity, they also shared a studio, first at at Tregenna Hill, and later at St. Leonard's, Back Road West. From this site Barry used to sell paintings and etchings which he advertised as 'Souvenirs of St. Ives'.
While none of Barry's paintings from the early St. Ives years has been traced, a few photographs do exist. These suggest that the emotive scenes of his Newlyn pictures were giving way to brighter, freer works. The death of Queen Victoria in 1901 had ushered in a new artistic openess; close observation was being supplanted by looser, more individual styles – as embodied by the primitivism of the illiterate fisherman Alfred Wallis. Fashion and glamour were also finding their way into art following the success of John Singer Sargeant's society portraits.
Encouraged by the now titled Sir Alfred East who had become its President in 1906, Francis Barry joined the Royal Society of British Artists and showed in their gallery in London's Pall Mall. He also continued exhibiting with the R.A., the Royal Society of Scottish Artists and Salon des Artists Français in Paris. Between these far-flung exhibitions, his artistic stimulation came from the St. Ives Arts Club.
In 1888 an informal artist's club was set up on Westcott's Quay, overlooking St. Ives harbour. Known as the St. Ives Arts Club, it became a social centre for painters, writers, actors, musicians and artists of all fields. Soon after his arrival in St. Ives Francis Barry became an active member of the club; indeed from the club records we can glean a sense of what he was like as a young man.
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