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 16 & Sunday 17 November 2024
11am - 5pm, free entry
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
Mike Scown / Paul Klewzyc / Brian Holland / Hilary Marsh / Evelyn Albrow / Nichola Gensler / Emilie Taylor

LEVEL 0
Christopher Jarratt / Noémie Soula / Anna Childs / John Thatcher / Giles Grover / Ross Gilbertson / Jon Cannon / Yuen Fong Ling / Andrew Heath

LEVEL 1
Morvarid Alavifard / Shinta Nakajima / Jason Thomson / Coralie Turpin / Claire Allam / Rebecca Perry / Penny Withers / Pottery West / Jennie Gill / Anthony Bennett / Hanne Westergaard / Brett Payne / Richard Johnson

LEVEL 2
Francisca Onumah / Daisy Lee Overton / Rebecca Joselyn / Zoe Genders / Charlotte Tollyfield / Josephone Gomersall / Simon Preen / Helena Russell / Colette Bishop / Abbey Asher / Holly Clifford

LEVEL 3
Gillian Brent / Neil Woodall / Bev Seth / Carol Lambert / Kath Boyd / Isobel Walker / Manish Harijan / Kandy Diamond

LEVEL 4
Seiko Kinoshita / Becca Brown / James Pyman / Tim Rose

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS - EXCHANGE PLACE

LEVEL 0
Anna Kime / Janet Barnes / Rochelle Malia

LEVEL 1
Phil Cole / Sil Devilly / Paul Dearden / Ben Partridge / Fiona McAlear / Joseph Cutts / Samuel Binstead / Louise Fairchild / Cat Brierley / Lilli Wicks

LEVEL 2
Chris Boland / Emily Thatcher / Natalie Finnemore / Alison J Carr / Theresa Bruno / Richard Priestley / Janet Wass / Laura Page / Cath Acons / Andy Jackson / Rezwana Sarkar

LEVEL 3
Mark Gamsu / Jan Hopkins / Clee Claire Lee / Myfanwy Williams / Jonathan Hyde / Mir Jansen / Henry Tietzsch-Tyler

LEVEL 4
Diana Storey / Alison Churchill / Roanna Wells / Thomas Marriott / John Wilsher / Mandy Nesbitt / Keith Nichols / Alison Riggott / Mason Kane Thomas / Brian Daines / Michael Carter

LEVEL 5
Sophie Cooke / John Brokenshire / Michelle Dickens / Frances Lewis / James Clarkson / Charlotte Dawson / Sally Weston / Thomas Griffiths

EXHIBITIONS

Persistence Works Gallery: Autumn Almanac IV, our annual members exhibition curated by Sean Williams.

Persistence Works Foyer: pop-up showcase of craft made by Yorkshire Artspace members and furniture by PR Home.

Exchange Place Gallery: showcase of work presented at our monthly crit group.

Exchange Place Studio 3.11: showcase of work by Ken Grace.

WORKSHOPS

Visit our Kiln Yard, Silver Space & Clay Space facilities for free creative workshops.

Persistence Works
SAT 12.00am - 4.00pm: Ceramic workshops with Evelyn Albrow (The Kiln Yard)
SUN 12.00am - 4.00pm: Raku firing with Mike Scown (The Kiln Yard)
SAT & SUN 11.30am - 1.30pm: Metal workshop with Morvarid Alavifard (Silver Space)

Exchange Place
SAT & SUN 12-2pm: Ceramic workshop with Rochelle Malia (Clay Space)

DEMOS

Visit these artists' studios to watch live demonstrations of their creative skills.

Persistence Works

12.00pm & 2.00pm: Ceramic monoprinting demo by Becca Brown (Level 4, Studio 47)
12.30pm & 2.30pm: Machine knitting demo by Kandy Diamond (Level 3, Studio 41)
1.00pm & 3.00pm: Metal raising demo by Charlotte Tollyfield (Level 2, Studio 24)

Exchange Place

12.00pm & 2.00pm: Hat blocking demo by Sophie Cooke (Level 5, Studio 5.06)
12.30pm & 2.30pm: Leather craft demo by Jonathan Hyde (Level 3, Studio 3.09a)
1.00pm & 3.00pm: Stone lithography demo by Mark Gamsu (Level 3, Studio 3.03)
1.30pm & 3.30pm: Drawing on metal demo by Fiona McAlear (Level 1, Studio 1.11)

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.

"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 options are Kollective Kitchen (at Site Gallery) and Kommune food hall (near Exchange Place).

"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.