Silver Space is the northern hub for contemporary silversmithing where knowledge and skills are valued and where silversmiths can forge the networks they need to thrive. Makers have access to a fully-equipped silversmithing facility that can accommodate up to 10, through bench hire and skills training workshops.

Through our popular Silversmithing Starter Studio, Yorkshire Artspace has supported the development of emerging silversmiths for over 20 years. In 2022, investment from the Goldsmiths Centre Charity and JG Graves Charitable Trust enabled the refurbishment of the studio and its launch as Silver Space.

The space includes:

• Individual workstations with jeweller's bench and lockable storage
• A wide range of silversmithing stakes
• Large hearth and gas torch
• Microwelder
• Access to hammers and hand tools
• A selection of vices and bench shear
• Large fly press
• Draw bench
• Metalwork lathe
• Milling machine
• Polishing wheels and linisher
• Pillar Drill
• Bandsaw and disc sander
• Video conferencing tech for online meetings and classes

SILVERSMITHING AT YORKSHIRE ARTSPACE

Sheffield is an exciting, friendly, and affordable city with a fine metal heritage and thriving support network for silversmiths. At Yorkshire Artspace we are proud to already be home to a thriving community of silversmiths, including internationally renowned makers Chris Knight, Brett Payne and Rebecca Joselyn.

We are proud of our impressive twenty year history of support for early career silversmiths, working with our partners at Sheffield Assay Office and Sheffield Museums Trust. We are delighted to be working in a new strategic partnership with the Contemporary British Silversmiths CIO, who will establish their national base at our Persistence Works building in Sheffield.

Together Yorkshire Artspace and the Contemporary British Silversmiths CIO will produce a curated programme of interventions that aim to encourage, support and develop both the craft and its practitioners. This will provide skills development opportunities and a selection of commercial offers to widen access and participation and ensure that the current and next generation of makers have access to viable career pathways.

YORKSHIRE ARTSPACE SILVER FELLOWSHIP

Silver Space provides a settled base for a select number of talented and ambitious silversmiths. The Fellowship offers time, space, support and a reduction in financial pressure, enabling Fellows to build a body of work and focus on their business. Fellows are based at their own bench in Silver Space.

Our current Fellows are Morvarid Alavifard and Shinta Nakajima.

As Fellows, they receive:

• 24/7 access to Silver Space at their own workbench, rent free in year 1;
• Regular 121 mentorship;
• Skills development masterclasses;
• Subsidised presence at art fairs and selling events;
• Free hallmarking, registration & makers stamp from Sheffield Assay Office;
• Free membership of Contemporary British Silversmiths;
• Free access to online development courses from the Goldsmith Centre.

The next Fellowship will begin in Autumn 2025. To be added to our mailing list and receive updates regarding this, please contact Rachael Dodd: rachael@artspace.org.uk

SILVER SPACE HIRE

Silver Space is available to hire from October 2023 to silversmiths on a flexible daily, weekly or monthly basis and to organisations interested in hosting activity.

For any Silver Space hire enquiries, please contact Rachael Dodd at rachael@artspace.org.uk.