WHAT

Join us for our annual Open Studios weekend at Yorkshire Artspace, when over 100 artists and makers open their doors. This is your chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes at our two city-centre buildings and see where the magic happens!

WHEN

Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 November 2025
11am - 5pm, free entry (Suggested donation: £3)
Everyone welcome, no need to book

WHERE

Persistence Works: 21 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS
(Near Site Gallery, Showroom Cinema, Rutland Arms)
Find on Google Maps ⟶
Find parking ⟶

Exchange Place: Exchange Street, Sheffield S2 5TR
(Near Victoria Quays, Castlegate)
Find on Google Maps ⟶
Find parking ⟶

Both our buildings are located within convenient distance of Sheffield Railway Station, just a 5-10 minute walk.

We recommend arriving early to give yourself time to explore both our amazing buildings, where you can:

• Meet some of the most talented artists in the region
• See creative workspaces and watch artists at work
• Support local artists by buying their work direct from the source
• Explore free art exhibitions in our public galleries
• Bring out your inner artist in free family-friendly workshops
• Enjoy tea, coffee and pastries from our pop-up cafés

There's a lot to see and do! Explore at your own pace or browse our guide below to plan your visit.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS - PERSISTENCE WORKS

BASEMENT: Evelyn Albrow, George Baggaley, Burnt Crust Pottery, Echino Ceramics, Eve Gnoyke, Rochelle Malia, Hilary Marsh, Mike Scown

GROUND FLOOR: Anthony Bennett, Jon Cannon, Anna Childs, Jess Ghost, Ross Gilbertson, John Thatcher

FLOOR 1: Morvarid Alavifard, Claire Allam, Joseph Cutts, Jennie Gill, GONZO Studio Ltd, Isabella Anne Kelley, Shinta Nakajima, Francisca Onumah, Brett Payne, Rebecca Perry, Coralie Turpin, Jason Turpin Thomson, Hanne Westergaard, Penny Withers

FLOOR 2: Colette Bishop, Imogen Clarkstone, Contour Map Collection, Daisy Lee Jewels, Zoe Genders, Josephine Gomersall, Rebecca Joselyn, Helena Russell, Charlotte Tollyfield

FLOOR 3: Janet Barnes, Katharine S Boyd, Gillian Brent, Kandy Diamond, Richard Johnson, Carol Lambert, Simon Preen, SAPIEN, Seth Ceramics, Neil Woodall

FLOOR 4: Becca Brown, Matthew Conduit, Seiko Kinoshita, Tim Rose

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS - EXCHANGE PLACE

GROUND FLOOR: Carousel Print Studio, Anna Kime

FLOOR 1: Lizzie Biscuits, Cat Brierley, Paul Dearden, Sil Devilly, Louise Fairchild, Fiona McAlear, The Owlery

FLOOR 2: Cath Acons, Chris Boland, Theresa Bruno, Alison J Carr, Natalie Finnemore, Laura Page, Richard Priestley, Rezwana Sarkar, Emily Thatcher, Janet Wass, Lilli Rose Wicks

FLOOR 3: Sue Burley, Alison Churchill, Emma Cocker, Liah Edwardes, Mark Gamsu, Jan Hopkins, Hyde Wares, Mir Jansen, Clee Claire Lee, Nazusk, Henry Tietzsch-Tyler, Myfanwy Williams

FLOOR 4: Bramble & Bert, Rose Butler, Michael Carter, Brian Daines, Savanah Forte, Jeremy Lee, Thomas Marriott, Keith Nichols, Alison Riggott, Diana Storey, Mason Kane Thomas, Jack Weller, Roanna Wells, John Wilsher

FLOOR 5: John Brokenshire, Lyn Carruthers, James Clarkson, Charlotte Dawson, Michelle Dickens, Hafsah FitzGibbon, Richard Forbes-Hamilton, Jenny Fortune, Thomas Griffiths, Imogen's Imagination, Frances Lewis, Lianne Mellor, Jamie Mills, Cat Roissetter, Sally Weston

EXHIBITIONS

Persistence Works Reception - PR Home Showcase
Persistence Works Gallery - Autumn Almanac V
Exchange Place Gallery - Crit Showcase

FREE WORKSHOPS

Make a Wooden Robot
Persistence Works, Studio 6

Join furniture designer Anna Childs for a free children’s workshop, making a robot from wood offcuts.
Sat & Sun, 11am-1pm, 2-4pm

---

Collaborative Drawing
Exchange Place, Floor 3

An activity organised by some of our resident artists, exploring repetition and the traces of many hands. Have a go!
Unsupervised, materials provided.

DEMOS - PERSISTENCE WORKS

Metal Fold Forming - Studio 10 (12PM, 2.30PM)
Raising a Copper Bowl - Studio 24 (12.30PM, 3PM)
Chasing & Repoussé - Studio 30 (1PM, 3.30PM)
Sculpting Tiny Ceramics - Studio 35 (1.30PM, 4PM)

DEMOS - EXCHANGE PLACE

Gelli Plate Printmaking - Carousel (12PM, 2.30PM)
Stone Lithography - Studio 3.03 (12.30PM, 3PM)
Blocking a Hat - Studio 5.06 (1PM, 3.30PM)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"Do I need a ticket this year?"

No, we aren't operating a ticketing system this year - please turn up and bring your friends!

"Can I visit both buildings?"

Yes, we encourage visiting both buildings as they are very different - visiting just one only gives half the story! Both buildings are in Sheffield City Centre and are just a 10-15minute walk apart. We recommend arriving early if you plan to visit both buildings (or coming for both days) as there's lots to see and it's easy to run out of time.

"How much does it cost?"

Open Studios is a completely free event, supported by Arts Council England. You can visit the studios, browse exhibitions and take part in workshops for free. As we are a charity, we suggest a donation of £3 to help us continue supporting artists in Sheffield.

"I don't want to buy anything - can I still come?"

Yes! Open Studios is a chance to see inside our studios, which are closed to the public for the rest of the year, and meet the artists who work here. Everyone is welcome. Many of our artists and makers have amazing work for sale, and it can be a great place to buy special, locally-made Christmas presents.

"Will there be refreshments?"

Yes, both buildings will have on-site pop up cafés run by local businesses selling tea, coffee and baked goods. Most items are typically priced around £3, and we have seating areas for you to take a break and fuel up. If you'd like to go for lunch, our favourite local option is Kollective Kitchen (at Site Gallery).

"Are the buildings accessible to people with wheelchairs or prams?"

Yes, both buildings have level access from the street during open hours. Both buildings have elevator to all levels as well as accessible toilets. You may find the upper corridors difficult to navigate during busy periods - but prams can be left downstairs at your discretion. Please note we do not currently have baby changing facilities.

"Are dogs welcome?"

Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome at Open Studios, please keep them on a lead for the duration of your visit. Some artists may not want dogs inside their studios, please respect their wishes if they indicate this.

Is there an on-site carpark?

No, we don't have an on-site carpark for visitors, so you will need to find nearby parking (see links above) or come on public transport. There is on-street disabled parking at Exchange Place and we can offer a limited number of parking spots for disabled visitors at Persistence Works, but these need to be requested in advance - please call 0114 276 1769 to arrange.